Greater Brisbane & Gold Coast FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of questions frequently asked by our families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Disclaimer: Please note the answers to the following questions are subject to change. If you have any queries, please contact one of our friendly staff or visit our Terms and Conditions.
Information regarding our process and management of Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found here.
What are the fees and how do I pay?
- Billy’s Buddies Childcare Centre Program is $16.95 per class per week.
- Billy’s Buddies Weekly Intro to Footy Program is $18.50 per class per week.
There is a one time set-up fee of $6.50.
Payment is made in arrears via Ezidebit (Direct Debit). You will need to nominate either your Bank Account or Credit Card to make payment. Payments are made securely through our online registration portal. Ezidebit is a global organisation with an impeccable reputation.
How do I register multiple children? Do you offer a sibling discount?
To register multiple children, you will need to submit a registration form for each child.
We offer a $4 discount for sibling registrations.
This discount is a manual process – once you have registered, please reply to your confirmation email letting us know that you’ve registered multiple children and we can apply the discount for you.
Why does the price change?
Billy’s Buddies Intro to Footy Programs have much larger spaces to operate as they are facilitated in local Council Parks, Junior Rugby League Clubs and Indoor Sports Centres. Given the extra space, our Coaches have the ability to include more equipment (such as mini Goal Posts, Hurdles, Agility Ladders etc) and more advanced activities to suit the available space. These classes are often held on weekends or at one-off times which has a significant impact on Coach wages also.
When can I join? What are the Program dates? How long does it run?
We run all year round, including School Holidays, so you can register at any time! We only break for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period.
How long am I registering for?
Your registration is ongoing and your child will be registered every week until you decide to cancel.
Does the Program break for School Holidays?
No. Both our Childcare Centre Programs and our Intro to Footy Programs run for the whole year. We will, however, break for two weeks over the Christmas period.
Weekly Intro to Footy Programs may take a longer break over the Christmas period depending on the venues terms. If we are breaking for longer than two weeks, parents will be notified.
What happens after I register?
You will receive two confirmation emails.
Registration Welcome Email – this email confirms your child’s registration location and start date.
Direct Debit Application Email – this email confirms the set up of your Direct Debit and outlines all of the relevant fees and charges that may be applicable.
Please read both emails carefully.
Once you have these emails, this means your registration is confirmed and your child is able to participate at the next Session.
What happens if my child misses a Session?
If your child misses a Session we can apply a Lesson Credit to your account. You must contact your Area’s Management Team within 24 hours of your missed Session for this to be applied.
Lesson Credits are effectively make-up Sessions that sit on your child’s account until their time with Billy’s Buddies is coming to an end. You will still be charged for that week’s class but if, for example, they are moving on to school at the end of the year and have two lesson credits, you just need to provide two weeks notice and they will participate in the last two weeks, free of charge (as they have already been paid for previously).
NOTE: Lesson Credits cannot be exchanged for refunds.
What happens in the event of Wet Weather?
For our Childcare Centre Programs, we will liaise directly with the Centre Director. If the Session is cancelled, you will receive an email notification and a Lesson Credit will be applied to your account.
For our Weekly Intro to Footy Programs, you will receive a text message notification approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled Session time. If notification is provided earlier, we will typically email this information so please ensure you are checking your email if there is wet weather around.
We will also update the wet weather page on our website for Intro to Footy Program cancellations.
Is the first Session a Free Trial? Can my child participate in a Free Trial?
If you would like to register for a Free Trial, please submit a Free trial enquiry via the button below.
We will then contact you to confirm their place in the class and confirm that the trial is scheduled.
When will my payments be debited?
The $6.50 account set up fee will process as soon as you register.
Payments are made in arrears. These payments will be debited the business day after their Session. For example, if your child plays on a Monday you will be debited each Tuesday, if they play on a Saturday you will be debited on a Monday.
What if my child doesn’t want to attend anymore?
You can cancel at any time. To cancel your account, you must provide 5 calendar days notice via email to your Area’s Management Team.
These contact details are in your Registration Confirmation email and can also be viewed by clicking the button below.
How do I get Feedback about my child’s Participation?
Session Summaries are outlined in the Parent Portal. Photos are regularly uploaded by Coaches inside the Parent Portal.
Alternatively, you can submit a Feedback Enquiry via the button below.
My child attends a Childcare Centre, do they receive certificates?
Yes! Your child will receive a certificate in the last week of each school term. Please note; our Programs do not break for School Holidays.
My child does not go to Childcare OR Billy’s Buddies is not at my child’s Childcare Centre – what do I do?
Don’t fret, we offer classes available to the general public. These are called Weekly Intro to Footy Programs. You can find your nearest Intro to Footy Program on the Locations page.
What happens if a Coach cannot make a class due to illness or unforeseen circumstances?
Under such circumstances, all parents registered for that class will receive a credit or Sessions may be extended for two weeks to cater for the missed Session. If this was to happen, you will receive an email notification.
What happens if my child’s class runs on a day with a Public Holiday?
The class will not run and you will not be charged.
How do I cancel my child’s membership?
You can cancel at anytime. However, to ensure you are not charged for any Sessions your child does not attend you must provide written notice via email of your intention to cancel at least 5 calendar days before your child’s next class. For example, if your child participates in a class on Friday mornings, you must notify Billy’s Buddies Management by Saturday (the previous week) at the latest in order for the next direct debit not to be charged. If notice is provided later than this, the cancellation will take place the following week.
My child does not go to the Childcare Centre which is hosting a specific Childcare Buddies class – can we still sign them up for that class?
Unfortunately no. Only children that are paying members of a particular Childcare Centre can participate in the Childcare Buddies Program at that specific Childcare Centre. The good news is though that they can easily sign up for one of our Weekly Intro to Footy Programs which are open to the general public.
Will my child be tackled?
No. While Billy’s Buddies contains the foundation skills of Rugby League, it is a Ball Skill Program.
Does my child receive structured training?
Yes. All Coaches have a set agenda for each class with the skills they need to teach. We have hundreds of different games and drills so your child will never be bored. These games and drills are tailored for each class and can be modified within each class to cater for specific skill-levels within that class.
Will my child receive a certificate or acknowledgement of participation?
Yes. Certificates of achievement are distributed 4 times a year at the end of each School Term.
Where are classes held?
Please consult our Locations Page to find your nearest location.
Is there insurance?
Billy’s Buddies has both Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance for your child. A copy of our Certificate of Currency can be obtained from Head Office.
Is the Trainer First Aid qualified?
Absolutely. All Trainer’s have up-to-date First Aid Certificates.
Do Billy’s Buddies staff have Blue Cards/WWCC?
Yes. All staff of Billy’s Buddies hold a valid Blue Card or relevant Working With Children Check and our Program complies with current legislation.
How many children in each class?
For the younger age groups, we are typically operating on a ratio of no more than 12:1 (albeit many classes have fewer than 12 participants). For Little League and older age groups, the ratio can be slightly different.
What is the ratio of boys to girls?
Approximately 2 to 1.
Do parents or childcare staff participate?
We kindly ask that parents or childcare staff allow our Trainers to conduct the Sessions as per our Lesson Plans. Adults will be invited into the classes at appropriate times. For Intro to Footy Programs, parents must keep a watchful eye on their child and be prepared to intervene should the child misbehave or is compromising the experience of other children.
Will my registration roll over to next year?
Yes.
Are there any other fees?
No. However, if you default on your regular weekly payment there is a dishonour fee of $11.95. This dishonour fee is automatically applied and will be scheduled to process, with the outstanding balance, in 3 Business Days. You will receive an automatic text message outlining the total rescheduled amount and the reschedule date. Please ensure the funds are available to avoid any further fees.
Should you have any troubles with your upcoming payments and to avoid these fees, please contact your regions management team to make alternative arrangements. To find the relevant contact details please visit our Contact Page.
My child will be going to School next year will the payments automatically be stopped?
No. You will need to notify us within five calendar days if you wish to cancel your registration.
My child has completed a Program/s and now wants to play Rugby League. Where do I go?
We have strong relationships with many Rugby League Clubs across Australia. We will naturally provide assistance in finding a suitable club for your child.
My child attends one of the Childcare Centre Programs, are there any photos demonstrating participation?
Yes we do regularly upload photos to the parent portal. We cannot guarantee these will always feature your child but please feel free to make a request to see more content if there has been limited photos of your child appearing inside your parent portal.
