Equipment Issued · Volunteer-Run · Family First

What you bring.
What we
provide.

Tackle equipment is issued by the club and re-fitted every season. Players bring the basics — cleats, mouthguard, water. Volunteering is the other half of the deal: every family puts in a few hours per season.

TackleHelmet + Pads + Jersey
FlagJersey + Flags
CheerFull Uniform
Deposits$300 + $300
01 / What the Club Provides

The big
stuff is on
us.

Equipment is one of the biggest barriers to youth football. We've worked to make sure it's not a barrier here. Every tackle player is issued a helmet, shoulder pads, and a game jersey — fitted by certified equipment volunteers at the start of the season and re-fitted as players grow.

  • Helmet with chin strap — fitted by certified volunteers, inspected every season.
  • Shoulder pads — sized at fitting day, swapped mid-season as players grow.
  • Practice pants with 7-piece pad set — 2 hip pads, 1 tailbone pad, 2 thigh pads, 2 knee pads, plus belt.
  • Game pants & game jersey — issued for the full season for every tackle player.
  • Cheer kit — practice t-shirt, game-day uniform, and bows (the bows are kept). Fees cover extras.
  • Insurance & league registration — Football BC, VMFL, and BCPFA fees are all included in your registration.
  • Coach training — every tackle coach is certified in Safe Contact technique by Football BC.

The basics every player needs come from home. The list isn't long — but every kid needs each item ready before the first practice.

  • Football cleats — molded soccer-style cleats are fine for flag and tackle. Some Junior Bantam players prefer detachable studs.
  • Dry-fit under shirt — worn under shoulder pads for tackle players. Required for insurance.
  • Mouthguard — required for every tackle and flag practice and game. Available for purchase at our concession if you forget.
  • Water bottle — full and ready every practice. The fall season is hot, the spring season is long.
  • Practice jersey — an oversized t-shirt works. Game jerseys are issued by the club.
  • Cheer kit — black athletic shoes, black shorts, and black tights. Plus a water bottle and a hair tie.
  • Optional — gloves for football. Most players add these as they go.

If cost is a barrier for any of the family-provided items, tell the secretary. We have a small gear-assist fund and a strong used-equipment exchange among Longhorns families. No kid sits out for the wrong shoes.

02 / What Players Bring

The small
stuff is on
you.

03 / Deposits

Two
cheques.
Returned in full.

The Longhorns hold two refundable cheques per family per season. Both are returned in full — they're held, not cashed, unless one of two things happens. Here's how the system works:

  • Equipment Deposit Cheque — $300. For tackle and cheer families whose kids are issued club equipment. Returned in full once gear is checked back in clean and undamaged. Cashed only if equipment isn't returned, or is returned damaged beyond normal wear.
  • Concession / Volunteer Bond Cheque — $300. Required from every family. Held for the season and returned in full once your family's volunteer hours are completed. Cashed only if the volunteer commitment isn't met.
  • Both cheques are post-dated to the end of the season. Most families never see them again — they get handed back at the year-end banquet.
  • The system funds the club only in cases where it has to. The vast majority of families volunteer cheerfully and get their cheques back, no questions asked. Details are emailed in July.

Both cheques are $300 for the 2026 season. See the Registration page for full fee structure by division.

04 / Volunteer Roles

Eight ways
to show up.

Every family contributes a few hours per season. Pick a role at the start of the year and we'll plug you in. Coaching, line-judging, painting fields — they all count.

D.01
Trainer
First-aid trained sideline volunteer at home games. Handle minor injuries, cold packs, and water breaks.
Game Days · ~4 hrs / season
D.02
Commissioner
League-side role coordinating with VMFL on scheduling, results reporting, and conflict resolution between clubs.
Year-Round · Light
D.03
Field Painting
Line the field before home games. Yard lines, hash marks, end zones, sideline boundaries. Volunteers work in pairs or threes — usually early Sunday mornings.
Game Day AM · ~3 hrs
D.04
Sticks & Down
Manage the chains and down marker on the sideline during home games. No experience needed — coach or referee walks you through it pre-game. Three volunteers per game.
Game Days · ~2 hrs
D.05
Concession
Run the concession tent at home games. Coffee, snacks, hot dogs, drinks. Funds raised go directly into the season budget. Family-friendly — kids can help.
Game Days · ~3 hrs
D.06
50/50
Sell 50/50 raffle tickets at home games. Walk the sideline during the first half, draw at halftime. Quick, social, and a major source of season funding.
Game Days · ~2 hrs
D.07
Merchandise Tent
Sell Longhorns gear at home games — hoodies, hats, sideline blankets, hand warmers. Inventory and float managed by the merchandise lead.
Game Days · ~3 hrs
D.08
Coaching
The biggest commitment, and the most impactful one. Tackle coaches complete Football BC Safe Contact certification; all coaches require a Criminal Record Check. Email the president to express interest.
Year-Round · Major

Interested in coaching? That's a bigger role with its own training (Football BC Safe Contact certification) and a multi-month commitment, but it's the most impactful one. Email the president.

05 / Sign Up

You bring kids.
We bring gear.

Got more questions about equipment, deposits, or volunteer roles? Reach out — every Longhorns email goes to a real parent who can walk you through it.