CWYC POLICY · 2026–2027 SEASON
CONTRIBUTE WHAT YOU CAN
Every child who wants to play can play. Cost should never be the barrier, and every family helps keep the program strong, with money, time, or both.
REGISTER ON TIME:
Registration has closed. Families who register after the cut-off contribute the full 100% registration fee.
01 · PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
THREE WAYS TO JOIN A TEAM
Which stream you're in depends on two things: whether your player is new or returning, and whether your family can show financial need.
STREAM 1
100%
Full registration
For players without demonstrated financial need
Families pay the full registration fee. We rely on your honesty about need, and we encourage Stream 1 families to contribute the most they can. It keeps support available for the athletes who need it most.
STREAM 2
$0
Returning players with financial need
Registered with Free Play for Kids or Wolves for 1+ year
Players take part at 0% family contribution. Show an Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB) card, or financial documents showing income at or below the ACHB thresholds.
STREAM 3
ACADEMY
New players with financial need
Same ACHB or income documentation as Stream 2
New players start with one free season in the Development Academy, building attendance and consistency with their cohort. Once they've shown that commitment, they move onto a Wolves / Free Play team with fees fully covered, as Stream 2.
STREAM 1
100%
Full registration
For players without demonstrated financial need
Families pay the full registration fee. We rely on your honesty about need, and we encourage Stream 1 families to contribute the most they can. It keeps support available for the athletes who need it most.
STREAM 2
$0
Returning players with financial need
Registered with Free Play for Kids or Wolves for 1+ year
Players take part at 0% family contribution. Show an Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB) card, or financial documents showing income at or below the ACHB thresholds.
STREAM 3
ACADEMY
New players with financial need
Same ACHB or income documentation as Stream 2
New players start with one free season in the Development Academy, building attendance and consistency with their cohort. Once they've shown that commitment, they move onto a Wolves / Free Play team with fees fully covered, as Stream 2.
Somewhere in between?
Some families don't qualify for Stream 2 or 3 but still can't cover the full Stream 1 fee. If that's you, reach out with an ACHB card or tax/income documents showing you can't make
the full contribution.
There's no fixed formula. Our team reviews every case individually and works with you on a solution.
Contact: wolves@freeplayforkids.com
Somewhere in between?
Some families don't qualify for Stream 2 or 3 but still can't cover the full Stream 1 fee. If that's you, reach out with an ACHB card or tax/income documents showing you can't make
the full contribution.
There's no fixed formula. Our team reviews every case individually and works with you on a solution.
Contact: wolves@freeplayforkids.com
HOW WE BUILD ROSTERS
A HEALTHY 60 / 40 MIX
Each roster targets about 60% full-registration players and 40% supported players. When nearly every player depends on full support, attendance, transportation and family communication get much harder to hold together. Those athletes have plenty of ability; the balance is what keeps teams consistent and the program viable for everyone.
02 · REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES
WHAT EVERY FAMILY COMMITS TO
These apply to every player and their guardians or caregivers, whatever their contribution level.
BEFORE THE SEASON
- Athletes and caregivers complete the Codes of Conduct
- Attend a team meeting to review season expectations
- Pay a one-time jersey/kit fee. Your player keeps the kit. Amounts vary by sport and are confirmed at the team meeting.
DURING THE SEASON
- Youth and caregivers take part in all required team fundraising
- Volunteer at 5 or more Free Play events (or as many as are available)
- Caregivers volunteer at at least 1 Edmonton Oilers 50/50 event or casino fundraiser
SURVEY + STORIES
- Youth complete 2 surveys, at the start and end of the season
- Caregivers complete all surveys
- Youth or caregivers share a short story if asked
WHY IT MATTERS
Participation builds team culture, keeps us accountable to our sponsors, and supports Stream 2 and 3 families. Commitments are tracked, and players who don't complete them may be removed from the roster for the following season.
BEFORE THE SEASON
- Athletes and caregivers complete the Codes of Conduct
- Attend a team meeting to review season expectations
- Pay a one-time jersey/kit fee. Your player keeps the kit. Amounts vary by sport and are confirmed at the team meeting.
DURING THE SEASON
- Youth and caregivers take part in all required team fundraising
- Volunteer at 5 or more Free Play events (or as many as are available)
- Caregivers volunteer at at least 1 Edmonton Oilers 50/50 event or casino fundraiser
SURVEY + STORIES
- Youth complete 2 surveys, at the start and end of the season
- Caregivers complete all surveys
- Youth or caregivers share a short story if asked
03 · FOR STREAM 1 FAMILIES UNDER FINANCIAL PRESSURE
VOLUNTEER CREDIT PATHWAY
If you're a full-registration family feeling the squeeze but don't meet the need criteria for Streams 2 or 3, you can reduce or eliminate your contribution by taking on extra volunteer shifts:
- Refereeing or scorekeeping extra Free Play / Jr. Wolves games
- Supporting approved club and community events
The athlete does the showing up, and gains real work experience for a resume or future jobs at Free Play for Kids.
Credits apply to next season and don't replace the required commitments above.
$15
credit per approved shift
| How it adds up | |
|---|---|
| 5 shifts | $75 |
| 10 shifts | $150 |
| 20 shifts | $300 |
04 · TEAM BUDGET, FUNDRAISING & SPONSORS
HOW A TEAM'S COSTS GET COVERED
Families and team fundraising cover at least half. Our sponsors cover the rest, for every athlete.
50%+
Family Contributions + Team Fundraising
THE REST
Covered by our sponsors
THE 50% RULE
Each team must raise at least 50% of its total costs through family contributions and/or fundraising, with at least one team fundraiser per season.
IF THERE'S A SURPLUS
Families still contribute their required amount. Extra funds stay in the club account to keep the 50% threshold in future seasons and to support Stream 2 and 3 athletes with verified need.
THE 50% RULE
Each team must raise at least 50% of its total costs through family contributions and/or fundraising, with at least one team fundraiser per season.
IF THERE'S A SURPLUS
Families still contribute their required amount. Extra funds stay in the club account to keep the 50% threshold in future seasons and to support Stream 2 and 3 athletes with verified need.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Free Play Soccer Pathway Powered By:
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Free Play Hockey Pathway Powered By:
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation
Our participation requirements exist because sponsors require accountability. Their generosity keeps the program affordable and accessible.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Free Play Soccer Pathway Powered By:
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Free Play Hockey Pathway Powered By:
Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation
Our participation requirements exist because sponsors require accountability. Their generosity keeps the program affordable and accessible.
05 · FOR EXISTING TEAMS
HOW THE SEASON COMES TOGETHER
1. REGISTER + CONTRIBUTE
Register your athlete and pay your portion as a deposit: the full fee for Stream 1, $0 for Stream 2, or enrol in the free Academy season for Stream 3. If your athlete doesn't make the team after evaluations, your deposit is returned.
2. WE CHECK THE TEAM ACCOUNT
Once deposits are in, the club totals contributions and works out the gap to reach 50% of the team budget.
3. FUNDRAISE THE GAP
The team runs at least one fundraiser, like a bottle drive or another approved activity. Funds go straight into the team account.
1. REGISTER + CONTRIBUTE
Register your athlete and pay your portion as a deposit: the full fee for Stream 1, $0 for Stream 2, or enrol in the free Academy season for Stream 3. If your athlete doesn't make the team after evaluations, your deposit is returned.
2. WE CHECK THE TEAM ACCOUNT
Once deposits are in, the club totals contributions and works out the gap to reach 50% of the team budget.
3. FUNDRAISE THE GAP
The team runs at least one fundraiser, like a bottle drive or another approved activity. Funds go straight into the team account.
EXAMPLE · $10,000 TEAM BUDGET
$3500
family contributions
$1500
fundraisers
$5000
sponsors
$3500
family contributions
$1500
fundraisers
$5000
sponsors
06 · REFERENCE
ACHB INCOME THRESHOLDS
We use the Alberta Child Health Benefit thresholds to confirm financial need for Streams 2 and 3. If your family income is at or below the amount for your family size, you qualify.
Maximum Family income
| Children | 1 Adult | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $26,023 | $31,237 |
| 2 | $31,010 | $36,634 |
| 3 | $36,325 | $41,594 |
| 4* | $41,957 | $46,932 |
*For each additional child, add $4,973
06 · WHY WE DO THIS
WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND SUSTAIN THE CLUB FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Families come to Wolves with different needs, skills and resources. CWYC makes sure every athlete can take part fully, whatever their family's finances, while everyone contributes to the team and community.
Families who can give more ease the load on others, and the community steps in for families who need support. Sharing the effort keeps the club fair, accessible and sustainable.
QUESTIONS?
Talk to us, email us: wolves@freeplayforkids.com