For Immediate Release
September 8, 2025
Football Ontario Announces 2026 Team Ontario Male Flag Head Coaches
Football Ontario Announces Team Ontario Flag Coaches for the 2026 season
Hamilton, Ontario – Football Ontario is excited to announce the Men’s Head Coaches for the 2026 Team Ontario Flag Programs. In 2026, Football Ontario will have eight total Flag Teams that will represent the province at the Elite Flag National Championships. This event will once again be hosted in Ontario with more information on the dates and location to be announced by Football Canada in the coming months.
HAMILTON ID CAMP REGISTRATION – SEPTEMBER 14 @ HAMILTON STADIUM
TORONTO ID CAMP REGISTRATION – OCTOBER 4
OTTAWA ID CAMP REGISTRATION – OCTOBER 25 @ TD PLACE
The age groups that will be present at this event are:
- .U19 (2008)
- U18 (2009/2010)
- U16 (2011/2012)
- U14 (2013/2014)
For the third year in a row, Football Ontario is recruiting flag athletes ranging from the U14-U19 age group for the 2026 flag football pathway. This provides 96 athletes and 16 coaches the opportunity to compete in a National Championship, develop their athletic skill set, and showcase their talents among the top flag football athletes in the country.
Football Ontario is thrilled to announce the organization’s 2026 men’s coaches, which includes several returning flag coaches from 2025 in which the organization medaled in all four boys’ divisions.
Below are the Men’s Team Ontario Flag Head Coaches for 2026:
U14 Boys – John Berardi
Dr. John Berardi is one of the world’s most sought-after performance and nutrition coaches, best known as the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company in the world. He has advised organizations such as Apple, Equinox, and Nike, as well as professional sports teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Over the last decade, Berardi has become a dedicated youth sport coach, working with young athletes in flag football, track & field, and soccer. He has built championship programs centered around speed, strength, and movement training, while prioritizing an environment that allows athletes to develop both on and off the field.
U16 Boys – Jason Hayes
Jason “Jay” Hayes has years of coaching experience in flag, touch, and tackle football across Ontario. Most recently, he was instrumental in leading the Team Ontario U14 Boys to a Gold Medal at the 2025 National Championships. He has also served as the Team Ontario Senior Men’s Provincial Coach and is the Director of the Piranhas Flag Football Club.
As a player, Hayes was a quarterback for the Team Canada Flag Football Team, where he helped capture a World Championship in 2003. He also brings experience competing in both the CFL and the Arena Football League, providing invaluable insight and leadership for Ontario’s U16 athletes.
U18 Boys – Kevin Dawkins
Kevin Dawkins has led Ontario’s U16 Men’s Team to three consecutive podium finishes at the Canadian National Championships — Bronze in 2023, Silver in 2024, and Gold in 2025. The 2025 title earned Ontario the opportunity to represent Canada at the 15U World Championship in Los Angeles.
Dawkins has been a fixture in the Greater Toronto Area flag football community, where he organizes leagues, tournaments, and clinics, and also serves as the lead flag football official for three school boards. His dedication to building relationships and fostering athlete development continues to elevate the game across Ontario.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Head Coach for the Team Ontario U18 Men’s Flag Football Program. Thank you to Football Ontario for trusting me with this opportunity. I want to acknowledge and thank all the outstanding coaches I have had the privilege of working with, especially Steve Moore, with whom I am excited to share this journey once again. I look forward to continuing to grow the game, build our program, and inspire the next generation of athletes,” said Coach Dawkins.
U19 Boys – Jonathan Nedeljkovic
Jonathan Nedeljkovic returns as Head Coach of the U19 Men’s Flag team after guiding Ontario to a Bronze Medal at the 2025 Nationals. With more than 15 years of coaching experience and a decorated playing career that includes two National Championships and representing Team Canada internationally, Nedeljkovic is one of Canada’s most accomplished flag football leaders.
He is also the founder and CEO of UA Flag Canada, one of the country’s fastest-growing youth flag organizations, which has impacted thousands of young athletes through grassroots leagues, regional circuits, and elite travel teams. Under his leadership, the Halton Fire Girls captured championships at the Summer Nationals in Canton, Ohio and the UA World Cup, while the Halton Elite Boys claimed Gold at the Ontario Summer Games and several other major tournaments.
“It’s an honour to once again lead Team Ontario U19. Ontario athletes are world-class, and I’m excited to continue building pathways for them to succeed provincially, nationally, and internationally,” said Coach Nedeljkovic.
Football Ontario looks forward to having these coaches provide their experience and talents to lead the Team Ontario flag athletes to success at the 2026 National Championships.
We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of coaches to lead our Men’s Flag Program,” said Olivia Ghosh-Swaby, Manager of Flag Development with Football Ontario. “Their combined expertise, passion, and leadership will provide Ontario athletes with the best opportunities to grow, compete, and succeed on and off the field.”
If you are interested in being a part of the 2026 Team Ontario Flag Program, make sure you register for one of their Flag ID Camps TODAY!
HAMILTON REGISTRATION – SEPTEMBER 14 @ HAMILTON STADIUM
TORONTO REGISTRATION – OCTOBER 4 @ ROB FORD STADIUM
OTTAWA REGISTRATION – OCTOBER 25 @ TD PLACE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Website: www.footballontario.net
Instagram: @footballontario_ ABOUT FOOTBALL ONTARIO: Football Ontario is the sanctioned provincial governing body for football in Ontario, through its focus on transparency, growth, alignment and excellence, is engaged in providing football opportunities for all of Ontario. Football Ontario is driven by a commitment to deliver football programming, opportunities and resources for its members and the provincial football stakeholders. Please visit: footballontario.net
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