MANDATORY TESTING UPDATE: 4/22/2021
If you are a 13+ player participating in the NFF Spring season, PLEASE CLICK HERE 

COVID UPDATE: 4/13/2021

Team,

Out of an abundance of caution as COVID cases continue to rise in the state of Michigan, we will be postponing the start of the 2021 spring season two weeks.

Therefore, our revised season will begin May 2 and run through June 20 (there will be no games on Memorial Day, May 30th). We have reserved June 27 as a makeup date if needed.   

NFF will continue to monitor the situation in Michigan, while providing regular updates as necessary.

We will work closely with our school districts, local municipalities, as well as state and local officials, to decide on the best course of action to ensure the safest season possible. For this reason, refunds will be addressed at a later time.

Below you will find answers to some commonly asked questions. 

WHY ARE WE POSTPONING?

Faced with the country’s highest rate of new infections, our governor has recommended that youth sports be suspended to help stop the spread. Many districts and municipalities  are concerned about the spread of the virus from those returning from Spring break. In addition, the  increasing daily infection rate is a cause for alarm.  Therefore we also feel that we have a responsibility to do our part to help slow the spread. Therefore, NFF has decided to temporarily pause our spring season for our 8,000 Michigan participants. Naturally, with two parents wanting to watch their child play flag football, we have a participation reach of over 24,000 people who would be heading to 20 locations throughout Metro Detroit to play football this spring. This can be a significant impact and one that we feel is necessary out of an abundance of caution for our communities. However, this is only a two week delay, as we are focused more then ever on returning to play this season. 

MY HIGH SCHOOL IS PLAYING, WHY ARE WE NOT?

High schools are required to rapid test all of their athletes on a weekly basis. NFF does not test any of its athletes outside of it’s oldest divisions of play.

OTHER YOUTH SPORTS ARE PLAYING, WHY ARE WE NOT?

The better question is why are they? Our position is not to fight science or the facts. We have a surge throughout the state right now. Numbers are almost the highest they have ever been. New unknown variants, children getting sicker than ever before, and a responsibility to our families and the community to operate in a safe manner, which are the factors that lead to our decision. No matter where your feelings are on the spectrum, our goal is to be able to host a season in a matter that we hope you can appreciate with safety protocols at the forefront of our decision making.

CAN I GET A REFUND?

Refunds will not be given at this time. Yet our refund policy is no different now than the day that you signed up. We are still planning on playing. All that has happened, is that we have moved our season back a couple of weeks. No this will not be a recurrence of last year. If we do not play due to COVID, our FORCE MAJEURE refund policy will be in effect. This means, if we cancel or indefinitely postpone, you will receive a full refund for your division price (minus credit card processing fees or donations). 

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON THE SEASON?

We will make a determination on Tuesday, April 27,  if there is any concern to the May 2 start date. If we deem it is not safe to return to play, we will cancel the season and refund all participants. At this point, we don’t believe this will be the direction of our path.

WHAT IF THE SEASON DATES DON’T WORK FOR ME?

The season dates are only extended by two weeks. If you consider the rain date, it is really only a possible one week extension. Unfortunately, at this point, we will not be issuing refunds due to a slight extension of the season.

WHAT IS THE RETURN TO PLAY PROCEDURE?

We have created procedures to help us return to play while implementing recommended safety standards. Please read over our Return To Play Procedures.

Here are a few that we must abide by:

• All staff, officials, coaches, players, and spectators are required to wear a mask as all times. 
• Limit the number of spectators to no more than 1-2 per player.
• Spectators are asked to adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices while at the field.
• Wait in your car until your team's practice/game is scheduled to begin.  Please do not congregate in groups in the parking lot or around the fields. 

WHY IS THIS SEASON DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR?

We have learned from last year.  We have enhanced our refund policy from last year with the understanding now that COVID could play a factor in our upcoming season of play. Last year, we didn’t have a financial plan for this virus. Now, we have safe guarded and allocated funds to ensure we can provide you refunds if necessary.

WHY IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR?

Needless to say, we have learned a lot.  We have enhanced our refund policy from last year with the understanding now that COVID could play a factor in our upcoming season(s) of play. Last year, we didn’t have a financial plan for this virus. Now, we have safe guarded and allocated funds to ensure we can provide you refunds if necessary.

CAN I REVIEW THE FORCE MAJORE POLICY?

No problem, can you review it here: FORCE MAJEURE POLICY

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to provide the best – and safest – experience for you and your family!

Sincerely,

Bryan Ledin
Executive Director
National Flag Football