TEAM ONTARIO · HIGH PERFORMANCE

Team Ontario Flag

Ontario’s high-performance flag football program for youth and adult athletes, and the only pathway to be identified for Team Canada.

View the 2026–2027 pathway

2026–2027 PATHWAY

Your Road to Team Canada

Two pathways, a series of phases each, leading to Elite Nationals.

YOUTH ELITE

U14 · U16 · U18

Born in: U14 (2014/2015) / U16 (2012/2013) / U18 (2010/2011)

Phase 1: Recruitment & ID Camps (Sept–Oct 2026)
Phase 2: Online Academy, Selection & Trials Camp
Phase 3: Training & Development
Phase 4: Training Camp & Elite Nationals (May 2027)

View the youth pathway →

ADULT ELITE

Junior U20 · Senior 18+

Born in: Junior Adult (U20, 2008/2009) / Senior Adult (18+, 2008 or earlier)

Phase 1: Recruitment Form & Online Academy
Phases 2–4: Tryout, ID tournaments, Selection & Trials
Phases 5–6: Training & Pre-Nationals Prep Camp
Phase 7: Elite Senior Flag Nationals (June 2027)

View the adult pathway →

2026 RESULTS

Team Ontario Finishes

4 Gold · 2 Bronze · 6 Podiums

U14

Girls
4TH PLACE

Boys
GOLD

U16

Girls
GOLD

Boys
GOLD

U18

Girls
BRONZE

Boys
BRONZE

U20

Women
GOLD

Men
4TH PLACE

Senior

Women
2027 · TBD

Men
2027 · TBD

RESULTS ARCHIVE

2025 · 3 Gold · 1 Silver · 3 Bronze

Elite Flag Nationals, Kingston

U14 Girls: Gold
U14 Boys: Gold
U16 Boys: Gold
U18 Boys: Silver
U16 Girls: Bronze
U18 Girls: Bronze
U19 Men: Bronze
U19 Women: 4th

Read the 2025 recap →

2024 · 4 Silver · 2 Bronze

Elite Flag Nationals, Kingston

Senior 18+ Women: Silver
U18 Girls: Silver
U18 Boys: Silver
U16 Boys: Silver
U14 Boys: Bronze
U14 Girls (Team Red): Bronze

Read the 2024 high performance recap →

2023 · 5 Bronze

SR Flag Nationals, Ottawa

SR Men: Bronze
SR Women (Team Ontario 1): Bronze

U18 Flag Nationals, Winnipeg

U18 Girls: Bronze
U18 Boys: 8th

U16 Flag Nationals

U16 Girls (East): Bronze
U16 Boys (White): Bronze

Read the 2023 recap →

2022 · 3 Silver · 2 Bronze

CFFL Nationals, Ottawa

SR Men: Silver
SR Women: 4th

Flag Nationals & Eastern Regionals, Charlottetown

U18 Boys: Silver
U16 Boys: Silver
U20 Women: Bronze
U16 Girls: Bronze
U18 Girls: 4th

Read the 2022 recap →

2026–2027 HEAD COACHES

Meet the Coaches

A talented group with a proven track record of success across Ontario, Canada, and internationally.

Junior Elite

U14 · U16 · U18 · GIRLS & BOYS

Flutie (Tanya) Bezzant

U14 Girls · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former women’s touch and flag football quarterback in Touch Football & International Flag (iFlag), over 30 years
Director of Operations, Toronto Flag Football League
Assistant Coach, Team Ontario Flag U16 Girls: 2026 Gold Medalist, Elite Nationals
Head Coach, University of Toronto Women’s Flag Football
Head Coach, Havergal College: 2025 CISSA Champions
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Work ethic. Positive attitude. Coachability.

Fun fact: Most people don’t know Flutie’s real name.

Thalia Wright

U16 Girls · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former women’s touch and flag football athlete in Touch Football Ontario
Head Coach, Team Ontario Flag U16 Girls: 2026 Gold Medalist and 2025 Bronze Medalist, Elite Nationals
Director of Program Development and Engagement, UA Flag Canada
Commissioner, UA Flag Etobicoke and UA Flag Mississauga
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Attitude. Resilience. Energy.

Fun fact: Can shuffle to any beat.

Dane Clarke

U18 Girls · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former Scarborough Thunder & St. Mike’s football and Team Ontario Baseball provincial athlete
Director, Durham Elite Flag Football (U18G, U18B): 2026 Gold Medalist, Club Nationals; 2026 Gold Medalist, Club Provincials (Ontario)
High-Performance Athlete Development, Durham Elite Sports Academy
Founder, Brooklin Elite Basketball
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Effort. Attitude. Accountability.

Fun fact: Favourite movie is The Sound of Music.

John Berardi

U14 Boys · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former university football athlete (Lock Haven) and bodybuilding athlete (1995 Mr. Jr. USA winner)
Masters track sprinter: Provincial Medalist, 100m and 200m
Head Coach, Team Ontario Flag U14 Boys: 2026 Gold Medalist, Elite Nationals
Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator, Niagara Nitro Program (U14B): 2026 Gold Medalist, Club Provincials; 2026 Silver Medalist, Club Nationals
Sprints & Girls Flag Football Coach, Governor Simcoe Secondary School
World-renowned Nutrition Coach, Precision Nutrition
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Talent. Relentless. Growth mindset.

Fun fact: Studied at 8 universities in the US & Canada, eventually earning a PhD at WesternU.

Jay Hayes

U16 Boys · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former men’s touch & tackle football and Team Canada flag football quarterback (2002 IFAF World Champion)
Head Coach, Team Ontario Flag U16 Boys: 2026 Gold Medalist, Elite Nationals; 2025 Gold Medalist, Elite Nationals (U14B)
Assistant Coach, 15U Junior Canadian Flag Football National Team
Head Coach & Director, Piranhas Flag Football Club
2021–2023 Head Coach & General Manager, Team Ontario Men’s Flag
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Poise. Passion. Positivity.

Fun fact: Played for 3 defunct tackle teams: Cape Breton Capers (USports), Shreveport Pirates (CFL), Iowa Barnstormers (Arena).

Kevin Dawkins

U18 Boys · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former men’s touch & tackle football and international flag football athlete (iFlag)
Head Coach, Jamaican Flag Football Men’s National Team
Head Coach, Team Ontario Flag U18 Boys: 2026 Bronze Medalist, Elite Nationals; 2025 Gold Medalist (U16B) and 2024 Silver Medalist (U16B), Elite Nationals
League Director, UA Flag Brampton
Head Coach & Director, Dawksports & Dawksports Cowboys

Looking for: Discipline. Compete. Coachability.

Fun fact: Coach Dawkins is a twin.

Senior Elite

U20 · SENIOR 18+ · WOMEN & MEN

Nadia Doucoure

U20 Women · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former France National Team women’s flag and tackle athlete
2024 Assistant & Offensive Quality Control Coach, Ottawa Redblacks (CFL)
2022 Offensive and Defensive Assistant, Carleton University Men’s Football
2026 Assistant Coach, Ottawa Hawks Flag Football
2022 NFL Women’s Forum Alumni
National Coaching Certification Program trained Evaluator & Coach

Looking for: Resilience. Effort. Discipline.

Fun fact: Outside of football, I love to sew & welcome any new project or ideas!

Bleska Kambamba

U20 Women · Assistant Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former U Sports All-Canadian DB, drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Head Coach, WesternU Women’s Flag: 2022, 23, 24 Gold Medalist, Provincial Collegiate Flag; 2024 OWIFA Coach of the Year
Head Coach, London Legends Women’s Flag: 2026 iFlag World Champions; 2025 Adult Flag Circuit Champions x4; 2024 Gold Medalist, Provincial Women’s Flag
Co-Founder, Pivot Athletix Flag & Tackle Training
2024, 25 Head Coach, JV Junior Mustangs Tackle
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Power. Leadership. Juice.

Fun fact: Thinks chocolate is overrated; apple pie is the best dessert.

Jonathan Nedeljkovic

Senior Women · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former men’s semi-pro tackle athlete
Founder & CEO, UA Flag Canada
Founder, UA Elite & creator of the PATHWAY (Girls to Women)
Head Coach, McMaster Women’s Flag Football
Head Coach, Team Ontario U19 Men’s Flag: 2025 Bronze Medalist, Elite Nationals
Head Coach, Halton Fire Elite Girls Flag (U14–U19): 2026 Bronze Medalist, Ontario Summer Games; 2025 Silver Medalist, Super Hero Sports Youth Flag World Championships
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Coachable. Competitive. Accountable.

Fun fact: Played semi-pro tackle football until age 38.

Daniel Jaffe

U20 Men · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former OUA men’s and semi-pro tackle receiver and touch football athlete
Offensive Coordinator, WesternU Women’s Flag: 2022, 23, 24 Gold Medalist, Provincial Collegiate Flag
2023, 24, 25 Assistant Coach, JV Junior Mustangs Tackle
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Football IQ. Explosiveness. Leadership.

Fun fact: Lived & went to school in Australia.

Steve Moore

Senior Men · Head Coach

View coach résumé

Former men’s touch, flag, and tackle athlete (iFlag)
Assistant Coach, Team Ontario Men’s Flag: 2026 Bronze Medalist (U18), 2025 Gold Medalist (U18) and 2024 Gold Medalist (U16), Elite Nationals
2025 Assistant Coach, Team Canada 17U Men’s Flag: 5th overall finish (USA Football)
Head Coach, Dawksports Men’s & Women’s Flag: 2024, 25 Gold Medalist, Club Provincials (U18 Men’s)
Former Touch Football Ontario Coach
National Coaching Certification Program trained

Looking for: Work ethic. Positive attitude. Coachability.

Fun fact: A world traveller & adventurous chef.