WELCOME:
Thank you for signing up for our 2024 NFL Flag Venice Winter Season! Read on for general season info. We will also resend this info out closer to the season start date, be sure to watch your email.
Our 8 week Winter season kicks off on 12/07/24 and runs through 02/15/24. No games or practices will be held on 12/21/24, 12/28/24 or 01/04/25 for the holiday season. Games times run from 8am- 12pm, youngest to oldest.
FIELD LOCATIONS:
Colonial Baptist Church (located in front of Taylor Ranch Elementary School)
2400 Taylor Ranch Trl
Venice, Florida 34293
Raymond James Stadium (Spring Season Only)
4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33607
There will be 7 regular season games and 1 day for play offs and championships. The top four teams from each division will make the play offs and play a single elimination format. All players on the championship team will receive a newly designed NFL Flag Venice Championship ring or trophy.
PRACTICES:
Teams will practice 1 hour prior to their game during game day on Saturday mornings at the field. This is a great time for coaches to teach their players about the fundamentals of flag football and can work on player skills and the playbook. This is also an opportunity for teammates to form friendships that carry over on and off the field. Practices will be organized and carried out by a head coach or assistant coach. Participating in these practices are not mandatory but are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED since this will be where flag skills and plays are developed. Coaches may also organize a mid week practice on their own time. These practices are allowed but are NOT MANDATORY. Every child will have playing time in each game.
ROSTERS:
Team rosters are a maximum of 10 players total. We currently run with 6 players on the field for offense and 6 players on the field for defense. There is a 4 player minimum required on the field. Throughout the season players will learn basic skills of football such as running, passing, receiving and defending. Each team will have at least a head coach and preferably an assistant coach. Parents or family members are encouraged to volunteer. Coaches make our league possible. Coaching doesn't require much of a commitment and is extremely rewarding! You can volunteer as a head or assistant coach during the registration process. If you already registered your child you can volunteer by going to the "Volunteer Coaches" tab of our website.
FLAG FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT:
NFL game day jersey (included with registration fee)
NFL game day shorts - may be purchased in the store or during registration but are NOT REQUIRED. If you wear your own, please wear team colors or solid black with no pockets.
Flag football belts (included with registration fee)
Football cleats (recommended, metal cleats are NOT allowed)
Mouth Guard (MANDATORY) Mouth guards are also available for purchase at our NFL tent if needed.
All other player gear, i.e. headbands/sleeves, ARE OPTIONAL for purchase at time of registration. Player gear ordered at registration will be handed out by your assigned coach on Dec 07 and will automatically come in your team colors. If your player can not attend that day, you can pick up your gear at the NFL tent on the next game day..
After you know your team for the season, NFL Gear for the whole family is available at the NFL Fan Gear Shop which can be accessed through the tab on our website. Gear may be personalized and will be delivered directly to your home. "NFL Flag Venice" gear is available under the STORE tab.
COMMUNICATION:
If you would like to opt in to our text messaging service for this season, text the keyword 2024Winterleagues81097 to 334-310-2497 to subscribe. Groups are deleted after each season, so please resubscribe to the new group. We will only text you regarding weather related or urgent info on an as needed basis. We will NOT spam text you, but this is a great way for us to reach you if we have lightning or game delays, or tournament gameday info. We often use automated/scheduled emails. If you are not receiving emails, check your spam folder. Coaches should be reaching out by email to verify practice and game times weekly. Again, please contact us with any questions via email, text or phone.
Jason Wireman - Commissioner/ League Organizer
Nichole Wireman -Admin
941-759-3446
VOLUNTEER COACHES:
Coach Jason will be holding a "Coaches Clinic" before season starts. NFL Rules, playbook and coaching strategies will be addressed at that time. Details will be sent out closer to the start date. You may access these resources ahead of time under the Coaches tab or at the bottom right of our website under "Resources".
All volunteer coaches must complete a background check and obtain their concussion awareness certificate if you have not done so already.
BUDDY/COACH REQUESTS:
Registration is open for individual players. Friend and coach requests can be made during the registration process by filling out the "Buddy Request," or "Coach Request" fields. We make every effort to fill requests, but it is not guaranteed as we also try to keep teams evenly matched. Requests are not available to late sign ups.
ON THE FIELD:
We have designated “Players and Coaches Only" sidelines opposite the Family sidelines. As stated, ONLY PLAYERS AND COACHES are allowed along that sideline. All other persons may watch from the other sidelines. This includes all family, siblings and friends. If you are not a player or a coach, you may be asked to relocate.
We have the fields treated professionally for fire ants at the beginning and throughout each season. Due to the size of the church field, we only treat designated areas. A map of the treated areas is available at the NFL Flag tent. Please stay within treated zones and remember that this is Florida, so always pay attention.
We will have an ice cream food truck and Chick Fil A available for purchase during game times every Saturday.
Game Schedules, Standings/ Scores will be available on the website the Sunday after the game.
WEATHER:
Games may be delayed or rescheduled if there are torrential downpours or lightning. In our experience, kids love the rain, parents don't! We will make every effort to play regardless of weather. If there is lightning in the area before halftime, a 30 minute delay will be called, if it happens a second time, the game will be rescheduled. If there is lightning after halftime, the game will be called and considered finished. Weather delays happen in real time so we strongly suggest you sign up to our text message alerts to receive real time info. Coach Jason will determine if and when games are called. If you do not receive a text, please assume that games are moving forward as scheduled. If needed, a Make Up Day will be scheduled at the end of the season and Play offs will be pushed one week.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
This is about the kids, not about the records or stats. Yes, friendly competition builds character, however, we will be focused on keeping this fun for all the kids. We want this to be a family fun atmosphere. We expect all of our officials, coaches, parents and players to conduct themselves in a respectful and positive manner. Please see the complete Parent's and Coach's Code of Conduct on our website.
Coaches should be a positive role model for the players.
- No acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act will be tolerated. The decision is made at the official’s discretion.
- Offensive language is NOT allowed by players, coaches or spectators. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive language occurs, the officials will determine if a warning or immediate ejection is warranted.
- Only Coaches may question the referee regarding rule based calls. All judgement calls are at the official’s discretion and are final.
Fans must also adhere to good sportsmanship:
- Yell to cheer on your players, not to harass officials or other teams.
- Keep comments clean and profanity free.
- Compliment ALL players, not just one child or team.
- Dispose of ALL trash in designated trash cans.
By registering your child with NFL Flag Venice or volunteering as a Coach, you agree to adhere to the Parent's and Coach's Code of Conduct posted on this website.
NFL Flag Football Venice Refund Policy
No refunds will be issued 2 weeks prior to the start of the season the player is registered for.
Jerseys and gear will be ordered during that two week time frame and cannot be returned to the NFL. Footballs, Flag Belts, Mouth guards, Socks and Lettered Jerseys may not be exchanged or returned.
Any refunds for the registration fee requested BEFORE the two week period will be granted.
Again, we strive to make this a fun experience for all and we look forward to watching as these players grow within our league!