Friday Night Flag Football – Under the Lights FAQs

Who can play Funsports Friday Night Flag Football?

Boys and girls between in grades 2nd through 11^th grade may play.  A child must be at least 9 years of age and no older than 16 prior to the first game. Divisions are divided by grade and based on the player's age as of the beginning of the first scheduled game of the season.

Grades 2-3 will play in the Rookie Division, Grades 4-5 will play in the Junior Division, Grades 6-7 will play in the Senior Division, and Grades 8-11 will play in the Pro Division. Depending on the size of enrolment, the league may split the divisions and label them "East" or "West". i.e., Junior East or Junior West.

Is this a co-ed league?

Yes, Funsports Friday Night Flag Football is available to both girls and boys.  Co-ed and all boy and all girl teams will compete against each other..

When is the Flag Football season?

Funsports Friday Night Flag Football offers two seasons.  The Spring season usually runs from April until June, and the Fall season normally takes place between early September through mid-November. Funsports also features a Co-ed Summer Camp during July. 

Where and when are the games played?

There will typically be one game each week on Friday evenings between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Long Beach Recreation Center in Long Beach, NY. Directions are available under he Information menu of the Funsports website at www.funsports-south.com.

How many games are included in the season?

There are typically 6 games per season followed by playoffs which consist of an end of season single elimination tournament for the Rookie, Junior, Senior and Pro Divisions.  Schedules for the regular season and playoffs are posted on the Funsports website - www.funsports-south.com.

How do I register?

Click on this link Funsports Registration to get to the Funsports registration page and please follow the instructions.

How are Teams assigned?

Teams are assigned by school and grade.  Parents have the option of providing a "Coach Preference" and/or “Teammate Preference” on the registration form. Volunteer coaches can submit a team roster made up of children that meet the grade requirement for each division and have a parent consent.  The league will use the following priority order to determine team assignment:

• Team Roster submitted by a parent who has the consent of that child’s parents.
• Parent’s coach and/or teammate preference (appearing on the registration form).
• When the above two criteria do not exist, the league will use the child’s school and grade to determine team assignment.
• Siblings will be kept together unless otherwise instructed by the parents.

Please note registrations are completed on an individual family basis.

What equipment does my player need?

It is mandatory to wear a mouth guard at the clinic and in a game. We recommend football cleats for both turf and grass fields.  (Please note that metal cleats are not permitted). An NFL sponsored flag football jersey and flag belt is provided to all players. 

Is a uniform provided?

An NFL sponsored flag football jersey and flag belt is provided to all players.  Every player must wear his or her jersey tucked in at all times during games.   

Who coaches the team? Can I volunteer to coach?

We welcome coaches, and if you don’t have experience, we will support you, and give you the tools you need. Typically, the more parents that volunteer, the more positive experience the players will have throughout the season. If you would like to coach a team, if you have questions about coaching, or if you would like to participate as an assistant coach, please contact us at funsportsflag@gmail.com.

Each team will need at least one parent to volunteer to coach.  Parents may also volunteer as assistant coaches if they do not have the time to be head coach. 

What is the minimum and maximum number of kids per team?

With the exception of the Pro Division, the game is played with 6 kids on offense and 6 kids on defense.  Game rules can be located on our website at www.funsports-south.com. The Pro Division plays with 5.

We encourage anyone registering as a team to have a minimum number of 8 persons on its roster to ensure that there are enough substitutes, and a maximum limit of 12 players on its roster to ensure that each and every child gets sufficient playing time. These minimum / maximum limits also enable the league to have an even number of teams in each division which helps facilitate the scheduling of regular season and playoff games. The league has the discretion to add a player or two to each team where appropriate.

Will there be scheduled practices?

The head coach for each team will be responsible for coordinating and scheduling practices at a mutually convenient time for the players of that team.  Alternatively, head coaches may hold a practice before the scheduled game at the field where the game is going to be played. Playing time is not dictated by a child’s participation in practice as the league does not mandate practices be held in order to play on Friday nights.

What happens when a game is cancelled due to inclement weather?

Cancellations due to inclement weather are dictated by the Parks Department. Typically, games are only cancelled due to rain, lightning, or other inclement weather.  If inclement weather is expected, Funsports will do its best to notify all coaches, parents, and players as soon as practicable under the circumstances by email and/or by posting a notice on the Funsports website at www.funsports-south.com.  If such announcements cannot be made in advance of a scheduled game, the referee may cancel / call the game at the field.  Games cancelled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled, if possible, subject to field availability.

Funsports normally issues announcements by e-mail or posts alerts on its website at www.funsports-south.com concerning any scheduling changes, cancellations, playoff schedules and matchups, or rescheduling of games due to inclement weather.

How does the refund policy work?

No cash refunds will be given after a participant has registered.  However, a full credit will be issued if it is requested via email at least 14 days before the first day of the season or the first day of camp or class.  Partial credits (e.g., original registration fee less $50 per child) may thereafter be requested via email when made prior to 12:00 p.m. on the first day of the season / camp or class.  No credits will be given if a request is made after that deadline.  Any other requests would be subject to the sole discretion of Funsports management.  All email requests must be sent to funsportsflag@gmail.com.

Can I sponsor a team or make a donation to the league?

Yes, and we are most grateful to our local business partners. Please contact us at fundamentalsportsllc@gmail.com to discuss sponsorship or other opportunities to cooperate within the community.

How do I contact you if I have additional questions?

Please e-mail us at funsportsflag@gmail.com or call us at (516) 329-9FUN.