Programs
OUR YEAR AT A GLANCE, 2024-2025!
RAIDERS CAMPS - Junior and Senior - JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025
Our Winter Training camps have closed for the year. Check back November 2024 for Registration for Winter Camp 2025!
FULL CONTACT PROGRAMS: SPRING SEASON FEBRUARY-MAY 2024 - REGISTRATION OPENING JANUARY 2025
SENIOR FEMALE TACKLE FOOTBALL (AGES 13-19) Feb - June 2025
6 on 6 - Tackle Format - (U16 - Players born 2011, 2010, 2009) (U19 - Players born 2008, 2007, 2006) *Teams will be combined if registration numbers are low. Registrants will be notified prior to combining programs.
While female athletes are always welcome to register for our Fall Tackle programs within their age division, once these kids reach the high school level, they are not always comfortable playing co-ed sports and sometimes, it's just not that simple. The goal of our Spring Senior Female Tackle Program is to ensure our female athletes have a safe, fun and team environment where our players can further their skills, their game knowledge and their fitness levels, while playing in a much more competitive place after their Bantam years, who may not be able to play high school football for a number of reasons. Athletes will be required to wear cleats or indoor running shoes for training as all other equipment is borrowed from the club for the season.
This spring season will start with a few CDMFA league wide combined camps at Foote Field in February, where the girls get to know each other as teammates and opponents, while working in different stations, with different coaches in drills to better assess their ability while learning multiple positions and football fundamentals. These combined camps are the best time to come out and try football, without any previous experience and do not require pre-enrollment or club registration. Practices will start in March with the regular season games beginning in April through June with the first ever Female Provincial Championship in Alberta!
NOTE: If there are not enough participants to field teams at both levels, U16 players may play at the U19 level. Should this happen, players will be contacted in advance to determine if they'd like to play up, or, if they would like a refund.
SPRING 2025 FLAG FOOTBALL SEASON March-June 2025 - REGISTRATION OPENING JANUARY 2025
U8 (age 5-7) FLAG FOOTBALL
(Players born 2017-2018)
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U8 Flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
U10 (age 8-9) FLAG FOOTBALL
(Players born 2015-2016)
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U10 Flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
U12 (age 10-11) FLAG FOOTBALL
(Players born 2013-2014)
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U12 Flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
U14 (age 12-13) FLAG FOOTBALL
(Players born 2011-2012)
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U14 Flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
U16 (age 14-15) FLAG FOOTBALL
(Players born 2009-2010)
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U16 flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
*Depending on roster sizes smaller age groups may be moved up or down an age division as needed*
FULL CONTACT PROGRAMS: FALL SEASON August - November 2024 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
U11 (Formally ATOM) Age 8-10 TACKLE FOOTBALL
(Players born 2016, 2015, 2014)
6 on 6 - Tackle Format
The goal of our U11 program is to provide a safe, positive and educational environment for players to learn the fundamentals of football. The skill of tackling is broken down step by step following safe tackling guidelines so that players learn proper technique. The goal of the U11 program is 100% Developmental. Winning is a bonus, but it is NOT our main priority.
U11 players enjoy skills fun, an introduction to the game and lots of developmental opportunity in both practice and game formats. Games are introduced in late August / early September and are played against other U11 teams in the CDMFA (Capital District Minor Football Association) region.
There is NO football at any of our levels in July - Happy Holidays!
During the regular season, August to October, U11 will practice from 6pm to 730pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Games are always held on the weekend on either Saturday or Sunday.
U13 (Formally PEEWEE) Age 11-12 TACKLE FOOTBALL
(Players born 2013, 2012)
9 on 9 - Tackle Format
The U13 program is designed to introduce players to the strategy, and teamwork involved in 12 on 12 Canadian football. Practice continues to focus on skills, safe tackling, technique and fitness. As the season unfolds, more emphasis is placed on learning the team Playbook (both Offensive Plays and Defensive Plays) and a great deal of vocabulary is introduced. There is a 50/50 focus on player development vs. competitiveness at the this level.
U11 players experience a much faster game with more “thinking” required by players on the field, and practice is designed to provide players with the ability to make these decisions on the field. Special Teams are introduced at the this level. Players at the U11 level can range from barely 5 feet tall and 100lbs (soaking wet) to well over 6 feet and 250+ pounds. Coaches will often adjust positions and play time based on such factors to maintain player safety at all times. If there is a concern about your player’s field time, please see the Coaches.
There is NO football at any of our levels in July - Happy Holidays!
During the regular season, August to October, U11 will practice from 6pm to 8pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Games are always held on the weekend on either Saturday or Sunday, and MAY include long weekends. Play-offs can run as late as mid November.
U16 (Formally Bantam) Age 13-15* TACKLE FOOTBALL
(Players born 2011, 2010, 2009*) Age 15 but are NOT starting high school in the 2024-2024 school year*
12 on 12 - Tackle Format
The goal of our U16 program is to provide a safe, fun and team environment where our players can further their skills, their game knowledge and their fitness levels while playing in a much more competitive environment. Less time is spent on the fundamentals of the game and much more time is spent on the Playbook, reading the field and special teams. There is a 90% focus on being competitive at this level. We hope to have two teams in this division each season to be able to provide a Tier 1 which is highly competitive and a Tier 2 option, being more focused on personal growth and development. This will ensure players are able to continue or start their football journeys in a way that best supports them as an all around athlete.
Our U16 program is the culmination of our U11 and U13 programs, but NEW players are always welcome! As there is less time spent on the fundamentals at this level, players are encouraged to join the Raiders Winter Training or play Flag during our Spring season, to participate in other football training events (we can point you in the right direction) and to speak to the Coaches as additional training can be arranged - PLEASE keep in mind that our Coaches are volunteers.
All U16 players are provided equal training and developmental opportunity at practice. Game time is predicated on skill level, competitor, effort and attitude. The goal of our field staff, and of the Raiders Football Club is player safety at all times. If we believe that there is a chance a player could be injured - they will NOT play. If you are concerned about play time, you are invited to speak to the Coaches. If you are unhappy with the results, you are welcome to escalate your concerns.
There is NO football at any of our levels in July - Happy Holidays!
During the regular season, August to October, U16 will practice from 6pm to 8pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Games are always held on the weekend on either Saturday or Sunday. Note that U16 MAY play on long weekends. Players are expected to arrive early for games - be sure that you are aware of how early YOUR Coach wants you.
Play-offs for U16 begin at the end of October / start of November. Play-offs are played in a single elimination format so you play until you lose. Play-offs can run as late as the 3rd week in November depending on Tiering and performance.
Fall 2024 FLAG FOOTBALL SEASON August - October 2024 - REGISTRATION OPENING APRIL 20TH 2024
U9 (Formally NOVICE) Fall FLAG FOOTBALL
Our coed flag football teams practice footwork, eye-hand coordination, catching, throwing and technique during their 2 practices a week, and they test those skills with game day on the weekend. These athletes learn the fundamentals of football movement, terminology, routes and more while learning to work in unison. Our U9 Flag program is designed to develop skills, provide a basic understanding of football terminology, and will allow players to expand their skills. Our flag program is designed to benefit athletes that are interested in moving into tackle football, as well as for those that prefer non-contact.
