Canadian sports programming company Sportball launches first U.S. location in Plano

Sportball offers noncompetitive, multi-sport programming focused on introducing children to movement and basic sports skills.

Sportball, a Canadian youth sports programming company, will launch its first corporate-operated U.S. location in Plano this fall.

The new operation will begin its pilot season Oct. 10 with programs for children ages 16 months to 5 years. Classes will initially be held at Liberty Recreation Center, Plano Day School and Little Marvels Montessori, with additional locations and programs planned.

Sportball offers noncompetitive, multi-sport programming focused on introducing children to movement and basic sports skills. The Plano location will offer parent-and-child classes for children ages 16 months to 3 years and drop-off classes for ages 3 to 5. The company plans to later add multi-sport programs and camps for children through age 12.

“Opening our first corporate location in the U.S. is a meaningful step forward and a clear message that we’re dedicated to building in the States for the long term,” Sportball CEO Quinten Griffiths said.

The location will also serve as a testing site for new classes, formats and programming that could eventually be introduced at other Sportball locations.

“I’ve spent more than 20 years helping develop and evolve Sportball programming, and we’re always looking for new ways to get kids moving and excited about sport,” said Jason D’Rocha, vice president and growth coach at Sportball. “Having a corporate-operated location in the U.S. gives us the opportunity to continue testing new ideas while staying focused on our ultimate goal: helping kids build a positive relationship with movement that lasts.”

Founded in Toronto in 1995, Sportball operates through corporate and franchise locations in Canada, the United States, Singapore and India. The company already has Texas franchises in Austin, Katy, North Houston and San Antonio East.

With the Plano addition, Sportball said it will operate in nine U.S. markets.

Registration for the Plano programs is available through Sportball’s website.