The Herndon Optimist Youth Flag Football (HOYFF) program is run entirely by volunteers. The HOYFF Board, Coaches, and Team Managers are people in your community who share a commitment to giving back to their community and improving the lives of children in our community.
For grade K-8 teams, Head Coaches must be at least 18 years old and Assistant Coaches and Team Managers must be at least 14 years old as of October 1, 2021. There are no fees to register as an adult volunteer, but you will be required to:
- Provide additional personal information and complete a background check before participating in HOYFF events involving youth (link will be sent to you after you register)
- Complete a youth abuse prevention online training and exam before participating in HOYFF events involving youth (link will be sent to you after you register)
- Complete the Volunteer Field Director (VFD) online training and exam by the deadline given (see link provided under "Links")
- Enforce the HOYFF Rules and Code of Conduct with your team members and spectators (see documents provided under "FAQs, Forms, Documents")
- Complete team administrative tasks by the deadlines given by the league
- Attend required coaches meetings and training/clinics
- Assist with league special events (e.g., Opening Day)
- Implement and enforce the Health and Safety Protocols specified by Fairfax County NCS and HOYFF (see below); each team must have a minimum of two adults (e.g., two Coaches or a Coach and Team Manager) who are registered as HOYFF volunteers and commit to implementing/enforcing the protocols
- Note: Due to this year's economic conditions, there is no requirement for Head Coaches to find a business to sponsor their team for $200
Please make sure to provide your birth date when completing your member profile information. If you leave birth date blank, the system will prevent you from completing the volunteer registration because it will think you are too young to meet the age requirement. If the system indicates you are ineligible, select the "Access Your Account" menu option, sign in, and on the "Family Members" page, click on your name to access and update your member record with a birth date.
**********************************************************************************
Health and Safety Protocols
The health and safety of our Coaches, Players, and Referees are our highest priority. All participants must commit to following Virginia, Fairfax County, and Herndon Optimist Flag Football Health and Safety Protocols or should not register for our program this year. If after registering, participants refuse to follow the Health and Safety protocols, they will be removed from the program with no refund of fees paid. The following are our current protocols, subject to change based on evolving Virginia and Fairfax County guidance:
- Spectators will be encouraged to wear a face covering (nose and mouth) and maintain a six-foot distance from others not residing in their household
- Players and Referees will be encouraged to wear a face covering (nose and mouth) and maintain a six-foot distance from other participants not residing in their household when not on the practice/game field; Players and Referees will NOT be required to wear a face covering (nose and mouth) while playing on the field during practices and games
- Coaches, Team Managers, and Field Supervisors will be encouraged to wear a face covering (nose and mouth) at all times while on the field and whenever possible maintain a six-foot distance from other participants not residing in their household
- Players and Referees will be required to bring their own water bottle to practices and games, and will not be allowed to share personal attire, equipment, or water bottles with others
- Coaches or Team Manager will provide team balls and periodically clean with disinfecting wipes the team balls and any chairs or tables used by the team during practices or games
Opened: 07/24/2021
Closes: 09/30/2021
Open to:
born between: 10/02/1945 and 10/01/2003
