FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 7th, 2026
Football Ontario Accepting Head Coach Applications for Select Team Ontario Flag Programs
Football Ontario is now accepting Head Coach applications for the 2026–2027 Team Ontario Flag Program. Head Coaches will be hired across all divisions:
- Applications Open: August 7th
- Application Deadline: August 26th
- Start Date: September 2026
- Contract Term: 2026-2027 (Head Coaches will have the opportunity to extend to 2027/28)
The available coaching positions are as follows:
| Age Division | Head Coach | Assistant/Mentee Coach |
| YOUTH POSITIONS | ||
| U14 Girls (2014/2015) | Available | Available |
| U14 Boys (2014/2015) | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| U16 Girls (2012/2013) | Unavailable | Available |
| U16 Boys (2012/2013) | Unavailable | Available |
| U18 Girls (2010/2011) | Unavailable | Available |
| U18 Boys (2010/2011) | Unavailable | Available |
| ADULT POSITIONS | ||
| Junior U20 Men’s (2008/2009) | Available | Available |
| Junior U20 Women’s (2008/2009) | Available | Available |
| Senior Men’s (2009+) | Available | Available |
| Senior Women’s (2009+) | Available | Available |
ELITE NATIONAL COMPETITION
- Youth competitions are in PEI in May 2027
- Adult competitions are in Winnipeg in June 2027
These positions are vital to identifying, developing, and leading high-performance athletes to represent Ontario nationally.
Football Ontario is #ALLIN. We are committed to inclusive hiring practices and promoting diversity and equity daily. We support equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Coach Criteria
1.Being a Great Teammate
“Great Leaders only preach what they are willing to consistently practice themselves”
Guidelines for Being a Great Teammate (Coach, Parent, Athlete)
- I am practicing PATIENCE and UNDERSTANDING with others
- I am only offering words of ENCOURAGEMENT with others
- I am giving others my best ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM
- I am open to DIVERSITY of thought
- I am RESPECTING the 24-hour rule before sending an email or posting on social media
2. Required Certifications
Applicants must provide proof of the following:
- Completed Criminal Background Check + Vulnerable Sector Screening
- Required NCCP Certifications:
| Making Ethical Decisions | https://coach.ca/nccp-make-ethical-decisions |
| Safe Sport Training | https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#SS |
| Anti-Racism in Coaching | https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#ARIC-E |
| Understanding the Rule of Two | https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#URT-E |
| NCCP Making Headway in Sport | https://coach.ca/nccp-making-head-way-football |
Additional Requirements
- Vulnerable Sector Screening (within 12 months)
- Minimum 2 years coaching experience in competitive flag or tackle football
- Demonstrated knowledge of Flag-specific strategies and systems
- Familiarity with Football Ontario’s High Performance Pathway
Key Responsibilities
- Attend and contribute to Team Ontario tryouts, evaluations, and final selections
- Collaborate with the Manager of Flag Development, Football Ontario staff, and coaching peers across divisions
- Scout at Flag Nationals to prepare for Interview Discussions (August)
- Provide athlete development plans and post-season feedback
- Attend all required training events, camps, and competitions through 2026-2027
- Uphold Football Ontario’s Code of Conduct, DEI values, and safety standards
Coach Hiring Timeline (2026)
| Date | Milestone | Details |
| August 7th | Applications Open | Coaching application call launches |
| August 26th | Applications Close | |
| By August 29th, 2026 | Coach Interview Invites | Head Coaches interviewed over a week. |
| Sept 4th, 2026 | Coaches selected. | Head Coaches selected and Assistant coaches proposed. |
Apply to Coach
Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Required: Resume, Headshot, and Cover Letter, a list of 3 references and contact information (phone # and email)
Submit Applications to: oghoshsw@footballontario.net and amckenna@footballontario.net
Note: Head and Assistant Coaches receive an honorarium of $350. In addition to this honorarium, food and stay during Elite Youth and Adult Nationals are covered and pre-booked by Football Ontario. Cost for overnight stay during ID camps and training is covered up to $160. Mentee Coaches can optionally attend events at their own cost.
Review the coaching timelines for youth and adult below.
YOUTH: Team Ontario Program Timeline (2026–2027)
| Date Range | Event | Mandatory | Details |
| Sept–Oct 2026 | Regional ID CampsToronto – Sept 26Hamilton – Sept 19/20 or Oct 3/4Ottawa – Oct 3 / 4 or Oct 24/25 | Yes | Run Team Ontario tryouts across Ontario |
| Team Ontario Online Academy | Bi-weeklyAll Phase 2 invites from November to January | No | Hosted by FO, nutrition, recovery, mental health talks in sport for athletes invited to Team Ontario Trials |
| January 23 2027 | Team Ontario Trials | Yes | Centralized selection event to finalize rosters |
| Winter–Spring 2027 | Training & Development Camps | PreferredIf absent, must coordinate coaches to fill in and support | Team strategy, systems, and performance sessions |
| May 2027 | Pre-Nationals Prep Camp QUEBEC (on route to PEI) | Yes | Final training for the national competition |
| May 2027 | Elite Flag Nationals PEI | Yes | Compete as Team Ontario in a national event |
ADULT: Team Ontario Program Timeline (2026–2027)
| Date Range | Event | Mandatory | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept–Oct 2026 | Online intent to tryout form | No | Hosted by FO – online form to gather adult contact information for tryout experience |
| Team Ontario Online Academy | Bi-weekly All adult athletes interested. | No | Hosted by FO, nutrition, recovery, mental health talks in sport for athletes invited to those who want to participate with the Adult Team Ontario experience |
| January 23 2027 | Adult Team Ontario Tryout & National Team Tryouts | Yes | Centralized selection event to finalize first set of invites to Team Ontario National Team Tryouts |
| Feb 13th, 2027Oshawa | Adult Circuit Identification #1 | Yes | Tournament events hosted by Football Ontario. All the best Adult Flag athletes in Ontario competing. Will be used to identify athletes and invited to April 2027 Final Selection Camp. |
| Mar 13th, 2027London | Adult Circuit Identification #2 | Yes | |
| April 2027Waterloo-Kitchener | Intercollegiate ChampionshipAdult Team Ontario Trials | Yes | Friday, Saturday, and Sunday experience with Adult and Intercollegiate competition; Friday to Saturday and Sunday Team Ontario Final selection camp |
| May 2027 | Training & Development Practices (1-2 in the month) | PreferredIf absent, must coordinate coaches to fill in and support | Team strategy, systems, and performance sessions |
| June 2027 | Pre-Nationals Prep Camp | Yes | Final training for the national competitionTypically the weekend before the tournament |
| June 2027 | Elite Senior Flag Nationals WINNIPEG | Yes | Compete as Team Ontario in a national event |
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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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