FAQ’s

The Gatineau Vikings teams play in various leagues in Quebec. U-10 to U-14 play in the Montreal Regional Football League (MRFL), the U-16 team plays in the Quebec Bantam Football League (QBFL), and the U-18 team plays in the Quebec Midget Football League (QMFL).

The simple answer is NO.  Football Canada regulations under the Long Term Athlete Development Framework (LTAD) prohibit players from playing for two football teams concurrently.  The only way you can play for both is if your school team season is in the spring or summer and does not overlap with the NCAFA season in the fall.  Once fully implemented, the Football Canada LTAD will limit the number of games players are allowed to play in a year, and will prevent players from playing for both school and civil team even if not seasons are concurrent.

The games start in mid August and run until the end of the October. Tryouts normally occur in July.

Eligibility is based on the year of birth. For the 2024 season, U-10 is 2015-2016, U-12 is 2013-2014, U-14 is 2011-201, U-16 is 2008-2009, and U-18 is 2008-2009.

For the 2024 season, the registration fee is $400 for U-10  to U-16. The fee for U-18 is $500. This fee includes all the games and practices, and the loan of the football equipment. There are also two refundable deposits. The first is a $250 deposit for the loan of the equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, pants, 2 piece knee pad set, belt and jerseys). There is also a ‘volunteer bond’ of $100 per family. The refundable deposits are returned at the end of the season when the equipment is returned and the volunteer assignment is completed.

The Vikings provide most equipment needed to participate. Players are responsible for providing football cleats, girdle and a mouthguard.

Registration is done online on the Vikings website. No player may take part in any on-field activity until they have been registered in our online database. This is an insurance issue and is not negotiable.

Prior to the start of contact practices, players will receive a link to book an appointment to pick up their equipment. If you miss the official equipment handout day, equipment will ONLY be handed out on Mondays at 7pm, and ONLY by prior arrangement.

Yes. Roster sizes are limited and a selection camp is run at all levels, usually near the end of July. Details will be posted on the calendar on our website.

All players trying out for a Vikings team are required to pay a non-refundable $50 fee. The fee must be paid before the first day of training camp. Players selected for a Vikings have the $50 fee deducted from their season fees.

If a player is not selected for a Vikings team, once the equipment is returned, the two refundable deposits are returned, and registration fees reimbursed IF the player paid more than the minimum $50 fee.

Yes, everyone plays, however, the Vikings teams are competitive and equal playing time is not guaranteed.

Roster sizes are determined by the league. U-10 plays 9 v 9, all other levels play 12 v 12.

Our home field for practices and games is the turf field at the D’Arcy-Symmes on du Plateau in Gatineau. In exceptional circumstances other fields may be used.
Practices begin in late July and run 2-3 times a week (the exact schedule is determined by the head coach at each level) and will be posted in the calendar on our website once determined.

The full schedule for the season should be available by early August, but you should expect a game every weekend between early September to late October. Once the schedules are finalized and provided by the leagues, they will be posted on the Vikings website.

You should plan for a  minimum of 90 minutes and a maximum of 120 minutes.

In Quebec, all levels play 4 down football.

Yes, and no. There are no weight limits for the U-16 and U-18 levels, however there are for the three youngest levels. The limit for U-10 is 110lbs, U-12 is 135lbs, and U-14 is 160lbs. Players are allowed to gain an additional 5lbs during the season.  Players over the limit for their level can still participate, they are simply restricted to playing on the offensive line.

YES. Think Safety! – Football is a contact sport. Injuries are not common, but they do occur and parents need to be present at all times. If you need to leave the practice for any reason, it is mandatory to have an emergency contact present during practice hours in the event of illness or injury. Please ensure that another parent in responsible for your child before leaving the premises. The coaches are not responsible for injured players.

Each team has a team manager. He/she should always be your first point of contact for any issue you might have. If they do not have the answer, they will direct you to the appropriate Club official. Please note that as a Club, we adhere to the “24 hour rule”. If you are unhappy for whatever reason, we respectfully request you wait 24 hours before discussing it with the manager.

The date for equipment return will be communicated with parents before the end of the season, usually one week after the final game. Equipment not returned at the designated time will result in deposit cheques being cashed and the parents being billed an additional $750 for the balance of the replacement value of the equipment.

The Vikings will only cancel practices when the weather poses a danger to the players. Examples include, lightning or extreme heat. Practices are NOT cancelled for rain.

Coaches are selected each year after an interview process and approval by the Technical Director.

All of our coaches are volunteers, but we do ask them to take training classes. All coaches with the Vikings attend mandatory league orientation meetings to ensure they adhere to the mandate of the Club.

Any individuals who would like to volunteer for coaching need to contact the President Gawain Harding by clicking on the “Contact Us” button on the website.

Each team has at least one trainer. They will assess the player and determine what action if any is needed. Emergency crews will be called if parents are not present.

The Vikings are run entirely by volunteers and your help is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping out, please email info@vikingsgatineau.ca and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

Usually in the first few weeks of the season. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase packages. Once the dates are finalized, Team Managers will send out the information to all parents.

No, you will not be asked to do any fundraising.

You can send an email to president@vikingsgatineau.ca or click on the “Contact Us” button on the website.

All activities are posted in AFMO Google calendar which is kept up to date. You should refer to it often. Also, announcements will be sent via email and posted on the website. NO, communication will be done by telephone.  For time sensitive announcements, a message will also be posted on the Gatineau Vikings Facebook page.

For insurance reasons, parents are NOT allowed on the field during a practice or game unless they are official team/Club volunteers registered with Football Quebec. If your child requires assistance getting dressed, please help them outside the fence. Only in the case of serious injury and ONLY if requested to do so by a team official may a parent step onto the field.

You will need to register your player online on the Vikings website. In addition, you will need to complete and bring the following to the first practice:

1. A completed FQ medical form
2. A completed AFMO code of conduct. This form needs to be signed by both the player and a parent.
3. Clear photocopy of a proof of age.  Either a passport, birth certificate or valid healthcare card.
4. Clear photocopy  of proof of address.  Either the page of the players current school report card showing the home address or players drivers license (if the player is 16+)

No player will be allowed to participate in the training camp unless all paperwork is in order.  Please note, depending on the registration requirements of the league, players may need to present originals of the two pieces of identification to the league registrar.  If this is the case, you will be notified in advance of the date.

The Gatineau Valkyries U-18 team plays in the LFFMQ. The Senior team will play in the CWFL for the 2024 season.

The simple answer is NO.  Football Canada regulations under the Long Term Athlete Development Framework (LTAD) prohibit players from playing for two football teams concurrently.  The only way you can play for both is if your school team season is in the fall and does not overlap with the LFFMQ season in the spring.  Once fully implemented, the Football Canada LTAD will limit the number of games players are allowed to play in a year, and will prevent players from playing for both school and civil team even if not seasons are concurrent.

The games start in May and run until the end of the June. Tryouts normally occur in April.

Eligibility is based on the year of birth. For the 2024 season, U-18 is 2007-2009.

For the 2024 season, the registration fee is $350 for U-18. The fee for senior team is $500. This fee includes all the games and practices, and the loan of the football equipment. There are also two refundable deposits. The first is a $250 deposit for the loan of the equipment (helmet, shoulder pads, pants, 2 piece knee pad set, belt and jerseys).

The Valkyries provide most equipment needed to participate. Players are responsible for providing football cleats, girdle and a mouthguard.

Registration is done online on the AFMO website. No player may take part in any on-field activity until they have been registered in our online database. This is an insurance issue and is not negotiable.

Prior to the start of contact practices, players will receive a link to book an appointment to pick up their equipment. If you miss the official equipment handout day, equipment will ONLY be handed out on Mondays at 7pm, and ONLY by prior arrangement.

Yes. Roster sizes are limited and a selection camp is run in April at all levels.  Details will be posted on the calendar on our website.

All players trying out for a Valkyries team are required to pay a non-refundable $50 fee. The fee must be paid before the first day of training camp. Players selected for a Valkyries will have the $50 fee deducted from the balance of their season fees.

If a player is not selected for a Valkyries team, once the equipment is returned, the two refundable deposits are returned, and registration fees reimbursed IF the player paid more than the minimum $50 fee.

Yes, everyone plays, however, the Valkyries teams are competitive and equal playing time is not guaranteed.

Roster sizes are determined by the league. The U-18 roster is capped at 24 players.

Our home field for practices and games is the turf field at the D’Arcy-Symmes on du Plateau in Gatineau. In exceptional circumstances other fields may be used.
Outdoor practices begin in mid-April and run 2-3 times a week (the exact schedule is determined by the head coach at each level) and will be posted in the calendar on our website once determined.

The full schedule for the season should be available by April, but you should expect a game every weekend between early May and late June. Once the schedules are finalized and provided by the leagues, they will be posted on the AFMO website.

You should plan for a minimum of 90 minutes and a maximum of 120 minutes.

In Quebec, all levels play 4 down football.

Each team has a team manager. He/she should always be your first point of contact for any issue you might have. If they do not have the answer, they will direct you to the appropriate Club official. Please note that as a Club, we adhere to the “24 hour rule”. If you are unhappy for whatever reason, we respectfully request you wait 24 hours before discussing it with the manager.

The date for equipment return will be communicated with parents before the end of the season, usually one week after the final game. Equipment not returned at the designated time will result in deposit cheques being cashed and the parents being billed an additional $750 for the balance of the replacement value of the equipment.

The Valkyries will only cancel practices when the weather poses a danger to the players. Examples include, lightning or extreme heat. Practices are NOT cancelled for rain.

Coaches are selected each year after an interview process and approval by the Technical Director.

All of our coaches are volunteers, but we do ask them to take training classes. All coaches with the Valkyries attend mandatory league orientation meetings to ensure they adhere to the mandate of the Club.

Any individuals who would like to volunteer for coaching need to contact the President Gawain Harding by clicking on the “Contact Us” button on the website.

Each team has at least one trainer. They will assess the player and determine what action if any is needed. Emergency crews will be called if parents are not present.

The Valkyries are run entirely by volunteers and your help is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping out, please email president@vikingsgatineau.ca and your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

Usually in the first few weeks of the season. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase packages. Once the dates are finalized, Team Managers will send out the information to all parents.

No, you will not be asked to do any fundraising.

You can send an email to president@vikingsgatineau.ca or click on the “Contact Us” button on the website.

All activities are posted in AFMO Google calendar which is kept up to date. You should refer to it often. Also, announcements will be sent via email and posted on the website. NO, communication will be done by telephone.  For time sensitive announcements, a message will also be posted on the Gatineau Valkyries Facebook page and in the team WhatsApp chat.

For insurance reasons, parents are NOT allowed on the field during a practice or game unless they are official team/Club volunteers registered with Football Quebec. If your child requires assistance getting dressed, please help them outside the fence. Only in the case of serious injury and ONLY if requested to do so by a team official may a parent step onto the field.

You will need to register your player online on the AFMO website. In addition, you will need to complete and bring the following to the first practice:

1. A completed FQ medical form
2. A completed AFMO code of conduct. This form needs to be signed by both the player and a parent.
3. Clear photocopy of a proof of age.  Either a passport, birth certificate or valid healthcare card.
4. Clear photocopy  of proof of address.  Either the page of the players current school report card showing the home address or players drivers license (if the player is 16+)

No player will be allowed to participate in the training camp unless all paperwork is in order.  Please note, depending on the registration requirements of the league, players may need to present originals of the two pieces of identification to the league registrar.  If this is the case, you will be notified in advance of the date.