2024 Flag Football Season

General League Details

This is a developmental, recreational flag football league. Whether it’s a first experience or in preparation for another minor football program, we welcome all skill levels and aim to show you the fun, recreational side of football.

The flag football season runs from the end of April to end of June. Registration typically opens in January and usually runs until end of February or until all divisions are full.

The league plays on Sunday afternoons at East Lake Park on both the East and West fields (on either side of the tennis courts). Typically there are two time sessions, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Each session includes a 45-60 minute practice and 30-45 minute game.

The flag football season will begin with a "Team Meet and Greet" and will run for 8 weeks starting at the end of April, depending on weather (no sessions on Victoria Day weekend). The season ends with a year-end tournament at the end of June.

Dates/times are subject to change and final schedule will be determined after registration closes. Division/age groups may also be subject to change, or be combined, depending on registration numbers.

The following divisions are available for registration this year. Age groups are based on birth year, regardless of what school grade level your player is currently in. Players in birth years that fit two divisions should join the division group that best fits their skill level and size, not just their age, so younger more skilled players can play up a division or smaller less skilled players can play down a division if needed.

5V5 COACH PASSING - DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

Division 1 - NFL Flag 8u

• Players born in 2016, 2017 or 2018

• 1:00 pm - 2:45pm @ West Fields (Subject to Change)

This *Coed league is for younger players who have never played before or who have only 1-2 year(s) experience and need more development in the sport before moving up to the recreational league because of size or skill level. Coaches are here to teach/develop only so your child will learn the basic fundamentals of passing/catching and some basic rules and gameplay. We want this division to have a more FUN atmosphere and less intimidating experience for those just starting out in learning to love the game of football.

One or two Offensive Coach(s) calling plays and passing the ball for players as QB.  One or two Defensive coach(s) calling defense 10-15 yards behind players. Depending on the number of registrations, divisions/teams may be separated by age or combined.

*Coed can consist of all boys, all girls or a mix of both depending on registration numbers.

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5V5 PLAYER PASSING - RECREATION LEAGUE

Division 2 - NFL Flag 10u

• Players born in 2014, 2015 & 2016

• 3:00 pm - 4:45pm @ West Fields (Subject to Change)

Division 3 - NFL Flag 12u

• Players born in 2012, 2013 & 2014

• 1:00 pm - 2:45pm @ East Fields (Subject to Change)

Division 4 - NFL Flag 14u

• Players born in 2010, 2011 & 2012

• 3:00 pm - 4:45pm @ East Fields (Subject to Change)

This *Coed league is for players, coaches or teams who play to have FUN. Your child, whether they have never played before or played with us for many years now, will learn the basic fundamentals of passing and catching but also develop an understanding of rules, teamwork, fundamentals and sportsmanship. This is a great way for our players to learn the basics of the game, but still develop the skills and techniques necessary to succeed on both offense and defense.

The slate of practices and games ensures that all participants receive comprehensive instruction and gain a keen understanding of the sport. Although recreational, teams are still competitive in nature, but are not competing to represent the AFS at regional tournaments. 

Players will be used as Quarterback passing the ball.  Only one Offensive or Defensive Coach on the field calling plays/positions is allowed but they must move to be on the sidelines once plays commence.  Depending on the number of registrations, divisions/teams may be separated by age or combined depending on player age or ability.

*Coed can consist of all boys, all girls or a mix of both depending on registration numbers.

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**NEW THIS YEAR**

5V5 PLAYER PASSING - COMPETITIVE program

• All Players with birth years 2006 though 2018 (U8-U18, Ages 6-18 / Grades 1-12)

• Register as a single player or as a full team.

• This is separate from the Rec NFL Flag league above so please register for both if you are age eligible to play in the rec league.  You will not automatically be transferred to the rec league if we don't have the numbers for this competitive program.

This *Coed program is for players, coaches and teams who play to win, and have a skill level to reflect that. Our Competitive Team format is a natural fit for young players who have developed into all-stars on their respective recreational teams. These players will develop a greater love for the game and improve their individual skill set at a much quicker pace by playing with and against other highly skilled players and teams.

We are looking to ID individual players, coaches or full teams that will represent Airdrie and AFS Flag in regional tournaments this spring and summer. More info will follow registration but tentative dates for tournaments we are considering are as follows;

• Team Alberta camps and provincials/nationals – March thru May (Dates/Locations TBD) - 18, U18, U16 Boys and 18, U18, U16 Girls

• BCCFA Joe Gluska Flag Invitational – June 7-9 in Kelowna, BC - U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 Coed or Boys/Girls

• NFL Flag Regional Tournament – July (Dates/Locations TBD) - 12u / 14u Coed or Boys/Girls

Registered single players will be evaluated and placed on teams by the program directors and head coaches (minimum of 7 players and maximum of 10 players). Coaches then schedule their own practices, and exhibition games depending on the number of teams created. Teams can practice as many times as they’d like and times/locations are up to the coach’s discretion as this process of scheduling is NOT the responsibility of the AFS.

All Competitive Teams are *Coed so both genders, and/or age groups, may be combined/separated based on our registration numbers. These teams will compete for an opportunity to represent the AFS in regional tournaments in June and July as well as a chance to compete at the Canadian NFL Flag Nationals in Fall of 2024 and the NFL Pro Bowl Games in Feb 2025.

*Schedule/fees are to-be-determined for the competitive program, depending on interest. If you are interested in this competitive option, please register your player and more information will follow. If we do not have enough interest in any age group, we will cancel that registration as the tournaments require the teams to only be in those age groups. Tournament entry fees will be covered by the AFS but all age verification, travel and accommodation fees are to be covered by the players & families.

*Age groups will change and/or be combined per specific tournament age requirements as well. Valid/current birth certificates and additional age verification fees will be required. More info will be sent out once registration is closed.

*Coed can consist of all boys, all girls or a mix of both depending on registration numbers.

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Birth certificates (Competitive Program ONLY) and Alberta Health numbers are required for age and insurance verification.

All equipment is provided including a jersey, flags and mouth guard, with the exception of shorts/pants and cleats/runners to be the responsibility of the player (no pockets and no metal cleats allowed). The jersey, flags and mouth guard are yours to keep as part of your registration. All players are required to have a mouth guard in while on the field of play. Players can provide their own mouth guard if they so chose.

Refund Policy

• For a refund request, please contact us at afsflagfootball@gmail.com

• From the start of the registration to March 31st, refunds will be given less a $25 withdrawal fee to cover all admin and online payment fees.

• From April 1st to the start of the season, refunds will be given less a $75 withdrawal fee to cover all additional admin and online payment fees.

• There will be no refunds issued after the start of the season.

• If there are special circumstances that force the player out of the season at any time after the season starts, contact us and our executive team will discuss a possible resolution for you.

• If the league is not able to run, refunds will be given minus anything paid for already.

• If the season begins and then is forced to stop all play prior to the end of the season, a partial refund will be given (return based on time of stoppage).

Kids Sport (www.kidsportcanada.ca) is available for those needing financial assistance.

All proceeds from league fees and merchandise sales go directly back to league costs. All executive board members and staff are unpaid volunteers and no profit is taken from the league.