Be the Reason Every Athlete Gets a Fair Game

Why Officiate Flag Football With Us

Reffing flag football is one of the most rewarding ways to be involved in youth sport. You are not just calling plays. You are setting the tone for how athletes compete, how they handle adversity, and how they learn to respect the game. Every game night you walk off that field knowing you made a difference in the lives of young athletes in your community.

You are the reason a 7 year old learns that rules exist for everyone. You are the reason parents trust this league. You are the standard that Clarington Flag Football is built on. When the final whistle blows and both teams shake hands, that happened because of you.

Whether you are a student looking for community service hours, a parent who wants to stay close to the action, or someone who simply loves football and wants to give back to Clarington, there is a place for you here.

What Referees Do

Referees officiate flag football games on Tuesday evenings at South Courtice Arena in Courtice, Ontario. We typically run two games at the same time and need two to three referees per game night. Games run from 6pm to 7pm. You are on the field, in the action, and a big part of what makes this league run.

Do I Need Experience?

Some knowledge of football rules is helpful, but we can train the right person. Every referee goes through our flag football referee training program before the season starts so you are prepared to make fair calls as soon as the ready-for-play whistle is blown. If you are confident, fair, and good with athletes, that matters more than a certification. We want people who show up, take it seriously, and care about the kids.

What We Expect From Every Official

Clarington Flag Football is a sanctioned member league operating under Football Ontario and Football Canada standards. The families who register their athlete trust that every person on that field has been vetted, trained, and held to the highest standard. Here is what that looks like for our officials.

• Vulnerable Sector CheckEvery referee completes a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) through Durham Region Police before the season begins. This is a mandatory requirement for all adults working with children in our league.
• Referee Training ProgramAll officials complete our flag football referee training program before calling their first game. You will learn the rules, mechanics, positioning, and how to manage the field with confidence. We do not send anyone out there unprepared.
• Safe Sport TrainingAll officials are expected to complete Safe Sport Training through coach.ca. This covers athlete protection, appropriate conduct, and recognizing unsafe situations.
• Rule of TwoNo volunteer is ever alone with an athlete. All interactions are open, observable, and in the presence of another adult. This is a non-negotiable standard in our league.
• Code of ConductEvery official agrees to uphold the standards set by Football Ontario and Football Canada, including zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, and any behaviour that puts an athlete at risk.
• Duty to ReportAll volunteers in this league have a legal obligation to report known or suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
• Severe Weather AwarenessOfficials are trained on the Football Ontario Severe Weather Policy. If thunder is heard or lightning is seen, all activities cease immediately and play cannot resume until 30 minutes after the last occurrence. Player safety always comes first.
• Concussion AwarenessOfficials are part of our concussion protocol. If a player shows signs of a concussion, they are removed from play immediately and cannot return without medical clearance, in accordance with Rowan's Law.

These are not just policies on a page. This is how we operate at Clarington Flag Football. Every time we step out onto that field.