Ankeny Junior Football

We are thrilled to kick off the 2025 AJF season! Please find important information below and registration links to the right. For any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact Nick Nelson at coachnicknelson@gmail.com.

Flag Football

• Practices can be held prior to games.
• Common spaces on school grounds need to be reserved.
• Please use link below to reserve practice space.

Tackle Football

• All practices will be held at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex.

Note Regarding Practices:

• If the heat index reaches 98 degrees and is still present by 4PM, there will be no AJF practices allowed for that day. AJF will send an email to notify all guardians.

Q. Who is eligible for AJF?

A. You must live in Ankeny or attend Ankeny schools to be eligible. Flag football is for kids entering grades 1-7 and tackle football is available for those entering grades 5-7.

 Q. How much does it cost?

A. The cost is typically between $150 and $300 depending on whether you are playing flag or tackle football and is determined based on a lot of different factors but we will update the cost prior to registration which starts on June 1st, 2025. 

Q. When is registration?

A. June 1 - August 7. All registration is done on-line through the website. A late fee of $25 will be assessed for any registrations after July 31st.

 Q. How do I sign-up to be a Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Team Parent?

A. There is a place in the registration process that allows you to indicate your choice. Or you can email your League Administrator. 

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?

A. Click to view important information about concussions 

Q. When do we get equipment?

A. Dates for equipment handout are determined each year based on dates and availability of our volunteer staff. 

Q. What equipment is provided by AJF?

A. All equipment is provided EXCEPT for football shoes (no metal or screw in cleats) and football pants. All flags(flag divisions), jerseys , helmets and shoulder pads (tackle division) and mouth guards are provided by AJF.  

Q. When are games played?

A.  All AJF flag games are played on Sundays starting as early as 11:00am. Tackle games in Ankeny are on Sundays beginning at 11:00 am. Some tackle games for 7th grade will be played outside of Ankeny and can be played on either Thursday evenings, Saturdays or Sundays depending on the schedule determined for each team.

 Q. When do practices start? When will they be scheduled?

A. First day to practice will be the day after the coach’s rules meeting (date TBD-typically coincides with the first week of school). Coaches will schedule all practices. Each team has a maximum contact hours limit of 5 hours per week. Practices are not allowed on Fridays in order to support Ankeny Hawk and Ankeny Centennial Jaguar football. Practice times are at coach's discretion. 

Q. Where and when are practices held? 

A. Practice location is up to the head coach. AJF reserves the right to cancel or delay practices due to weather conditions. If the heat index is at 98 or above at 4pm there will not be any practices that day.  

Q. How is AJF organized?

A. Ankeny Junior Football is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Each division of teams has League Administrators to oversee the play and coaches in each division. 

Q. What if a game gets rained out?

A. Generally, unless the fields are in bad shape we play in the rain. We will reschedule if games get rained out. The final make-up game schedule will be decided by the Board. 

Q. What if I have a complaint?

A. If you have specific complaints about your coach, please contact your League Administrator. For all other complaints, please contact the Board. 

Q. What is “Zero Tolerance Policy”?

A. AJF has a Zero Tolerance Policy towards poor behavior by participants, coaches, officials and spectators. Depending on the demonstrated behavior a person violating the policy may be asked to leave or even banned from attending the games. Please check out our policy on the website.