1. What is NCAFA?
   • The National Capital Amateur Football Association. It is the organization that runs the fall football league in which the Bengals teams participate. For more information on the league, please visit the NCAFA website.
2. Can anyone register for the Bengals?
   • Our league is based on territories. Our territory boundaries are highlighted in Orange in the map opened by the below link. You can search your address in the map to determine your home Club. Unless you are a returning player to the Bengals, K4A postal codes, Fallingbrook and Avalon are Panthers territory. Blackburn Hamlet is Giants’ territory. If you are unsure of the territory you belong to, please contact us providing us your address and we will be able to direct you to the appropriate Club.
   • NCAFA Territory Search 
3. When does the season run?
   • Our Flag pre-season begins in April. More precise dates can be found in the Team pages of our website once our dates are confirmed.  
   • Our regular Tackle season camp begins in July. More precise dates can be found in the Team pages of our website once our dates are confirmed. 
   • The NCAFA season runs from mid August until the end of the October. Championship Week is played the first weekend of November.
4. What are the ages/divisions for the football players?
   • Eligibility is based on the year of birth. For the 2024 season, U10 will be 2015 - 2016, U12 will be 2013 - 2014, U14 will be 2011 - 2012, U16 will be 2009 - 2010 and U19 will be 2006 - 2008.
5. What are the fees?
   • For the 2024 season, our registration fees are of $450.  Discounts are available for out of town players and siblings. This fee includes all the games and practices, and the loan of the football equipment.
   • There is an additional $500 deposit for the loan of the helmet and shoulder pads. Cheques can be made out to the "Orléans Bengals" and dated November 1st of the current year and will be returned to you at the end of the season when you return your equipment.
6. What equipment is needed?
   • The Bengals provide the helmet and shoulder pads. Each participant will need to purchase a pair of football cleats, a pair of black integrated pants and a mouthguard. Equipment can be purchased at the retailer of your choice. If you purchase these items at Lacroix Source for Sports on Innes Road, mention that you are with the Bengals to receive our Club discount. 
7. How do I register?
   • Registration can be done in-person at one of our multiple registration sessions or can be done online through our Registration Page. 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 non-negotiable.  Players must also be registered with Football Ontario in order to be covered by our club insurance.  Please follow the link on our home page to register.
8. Are there tryouts to make a team?
   • Yes and No. Roster sizes are limited; therefore, tryouts are based on the number of players who register each year. 
9. Is there a fee to tryout for a Bengals team?
   • There is no tryout fee; however, there is a $150 non-refundable amount as part of the registration fees. 
10. What happens if I am cut during the training camp?
    • If a player does not make a Bengals team, the refundable portion of the registration fees are returned, as well as the deposit cheque for equipment once it has been returned. 
11. Does everyone play?
    • We believe that game play should be earned through hard work and dedication. We encourage participation in a safe environment, recognizing that some games and teams may pose greater challenges than others.
12. How many players are allowed on a team?
    • Roster sizes are set by the league at a maximum of 32 for U12, 40 for U14 and U16 and 45 players at U19.  Our U10 program is a 6 on 6 program and each team is capped at 24 players; however, Clubs are permitted to field more than one U10 team. 
13. Where, When and How often is practice?
    • Our home fields for practices are Collège Catholique Mer Bleue and St. Matthew High School. All practice dates will be included in our Calendar. 
14. When will I get my child’s schedule?
    • The full schedule for the NCAFA season is available on the NCAFA website. It will also be posted on the Bengals Team Pages and shared with our coaches and parents once it is finalized.
15. Do I need to remain at the practice field with my child?
    • 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 is responsible for your child before leaving the premises. The coaches are not responsible for injured players.
16. What do I do if I have questions/concerns/problems?
    • 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. 
17. When does my child’s equipment need to be returned?
    • 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.
18. How will we know when football practices or games are cancelled due to weather conditions?
    • The Bengals 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. Team managers will communicate this information to parents as soon as the decision is made, should the practice be cancelled.
19. How do you select coaches?
    • Coaches are selected each year after an interview process and approval by the OMFA President.
20. Do your coaches have any training?
    • All our coaches are volunteers, but we do ask them to take training classes. All coaches with the Bengals attend mandatory league orientation meetings to ensure they adhere to the mandate of the Club. All our Coaches also complete an online course entitled Making Headway which addresses the proper protocol to follow in case of a head injury, as well as being Safe Contact certified by Football Ontario. Finally, all our coaches must obtain a Police Record Check every two years which is held on file with the Club.
21. I am interested in coaching. How can I become involved?
    • Any individuals who would like to volunteer for coaching needs to contact the OMFA President.
22. What if my child is injured during a game or practice?
    • Each team has at least one trainer (first aider). They will assess the player and determine what action, if any, is needed. Emergency crews will be called if parents are not present.
23. How can I help?
    • The Bengals are run entirely by volunteers and your help is greatly appreciated. For each home game, each team manager will be asking for parents to volunteer as a stick crew, convenor, time keeper, score keeper, to help with the BBQ/Canteen, to run our 50/50 draw and finally to help us set up and tear down at the end of the day. 
24. When will pictures be taken?
    • An announcement will be made a few weeks prior to pictures being taken. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase packages. Forms will be posted on the website.
25. Will there be any fundraising?
    • As a not-for-profit, we are able to keep our fees low through various fundraising activities. Although helping with fundraising activities is not mandatory, any help parents can offer is always appreciated. 
26. Who can I contact if I have questions?
    • Please use the form on our Contact Us page.
27. How will I stay updated on Bengals information?
    • Announcements will be sent via email, through our website and posted on our Facebook page. NO communication will be done by telephone except in very specific circumstances. 
28. Are parents allowed on the field?
    • For insurance reasons, parents are NOT allowed on the field during a practice or game unless they are official team/Club volunteer registered with Ontario Football. There are no exceptions.
29. What paperwork will I need to complete?
    • Please refer to our "Registration" section for all the details. No player will be allowed to participate in the training camp unless all paperwork is in order.