Matt Hill
Matt Hill has played co-ed flag football since he was ten years old and started coaching at age 17. He has won a World Championship, 3 National Championships, and 5 Provincial Championships. Matt values the relationships he built through the sport, and some of his former players have gone on to play in the CFL. He is now focused on bringing co-ed flag football to the local area.
Flag football is something that I am truly passionate about and I think it is a great opportunity for all kids to focus on developing their skills, getting physical activity, meeting new friends & most of all, having fun!
Accolades:
2023 U18 and U14 Provincial Champions. 2023 summer American National Championships boys U15.
2024 U18 World Champions, 2024 U18 Boys and U16 Girls Provincial Champions, 2025 U18 Boys and U16 Girls World Champions, 2025 U18 Girls and U16 Boys National Champions
Bryan Freve
Bryan has been an integral part of Niagara Youth Flag Football organization since 2018. He works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of every season and quickly resolves any issues. His lifetime of experience in sports, including two provincial curling titles and playing for Brock's curling team, has helped him bring new experiences to kids through NYFF. Bryan's passion for youth sports has contributed to the success of NYFF, and he will continue to help the organization achieve its full potential.
Operations Manager
Dan Petermann
Winnipeg Blue bombers draft pick 2018. 2019 Grey Cup champion with Winnipeg. Ottawa RedBlacks for 2021 season. Currently signed with BC Lions. McMasters Marauders All-Time receptions leader. McMasters single season receptions record leader. McMasters single game receptions leader. 2x flag football national championship. Younger brother of Alex Petermann who is world flag football champion.
Coach
Eric Mezzalira
Born and raised in Stoney creek. Started playing football in grade 6. Had the pleasure of having Matt Hill coaching me as a young teen where he helped develop my skills to get ready for high-school football. Played for Cardinal Newman catholic secondary school where we won 3 city championships. Went on to McMaster where we won a Yates cup. Proceeded to get drafted 17th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in 2018 and won a Grey Cup in 2018 as well. Looking forward to passing on the skills and knowledge I’ve learned over the years to the new generation of football players.
Coach
Alex Hill
Alex began playing flag football as a quarterback at the age of 10, and at 14, he led Team Canada to a World Championship victory with his brother Matty as coach. Later, he coached teams to four consecutive Canadian championships and won four city championships in high school as a quarterback. Alex played with a handful of CFL players and learned at the CIS level during his time with the McMaster Marauders. Alex was always a student of the game which is why his transition to coaching has been so effective. He is also a generous sponsor for our league that we are grateful to have.
Coach
Clifford Ivory
Niagara Youth Flag Football is so lucky to have Coach Cliff Ivory, a former grey cup champion and 3 time CFL All star. Coach Cliff played for the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger Cats. He also enjoyed some time in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers. Cliff spent time as a coach at York University and has always given back to the community. His positive enthusiasm, love for the game and mentoring the athletes goes unmatched. We look forward to many years with such an amazing man on and off the field.
Cliff has won several hardware with Nitros from U14 Provincials boys, U10 American summer Nationals and more.
Coach
Daniel Pepe
Since starting as a graduate assistant at St. Catharines Collegiate in 2002, this individual has coached at various levels including house league, rep level, high school, and indoor pro football leagues. They have served as Offensive Coordinator for multiple teams such as the St. Catharines Collegiate, Niagara Raiders CJFL, and Niagara Spears JV. Currently, they are Offensive Coordinator for AN Myer High School, and the Niagara QB Club. They have also been coaching youth and high school divisions at the Niagara Youth Flag Football League since 2020. Coach pepe has won several championships in the NYFF house league and also with the nitro travel program. A wealth of knowledge for every age and level he is involved with.
Coach
Nathan Greene
Played at Lakeport high-school & Concordia University. Head Coach Lakeport Secondary School from 1996 to 2008. Head Coach Niagara District Secondary School in 2009. Head Coach St. Catharines Collegiate from 2010 to present. 2014 to present Niagara Spears (various roles in bantam to varsity). 2018 to present Niagara Youth Flag Football (various roles and age groups). 2018 to present Founder of Niagara QB Club with Dan Pepe (small group instruction that develops QB skills for players of various age).
Coach
Erin Clarke
Erin Clark and her daughters have been part of Niagara Youth Flag Football since its inception. She is grateful for the league and its volunteers for their contribution to her family's growth, building her daughters' confidence and physical ability, and giving them opportunities to bond with teammates and learn from experienced coaches. Erin assists with the league in various ways, from collecting registrations to taking pictures on the sidelines, and considers NYFF and its founder, Matty Hill, as part of her family. Erin has taken a new role as travel program director and also assistant coach with nitros. She is the hardest worker the program has and we are so grateful for her!
League Assistant
Herdy Christian
Needs no introduction to the league herdy is from Akron, Ohio and have been living in Canada for 5 years. I have been coaching football for a total of 16 years (6 years of flag and 10 of contact football). Herdy has been coached with the NYFF since it conception. Herdy has won several Flag Championships to include; NFL Flag Tournament Championship (Hamilton), Provincial Championship (London), NYFF Tournament and several interleague 1st place teams. Helped coach 2 championship teams in Ohio. Coaching kids is a passion for me and I bring the energy every practice and game!!
Coach
Jason Henry
Played since 10 years old. HS all-star safety and receiver. Played receiver and returner for the Atlantic Bowl champion Concordia Stingers. Coached the Verdun, Quebec Ti-Cats to regional championship. Coached the Atom Chateauguay, Quebec Raiders. U12 and u14 girls coach who has teams spinning heads all over North America!
Coach
Stefanie Caporicci
Stefanie has been with the program since season 2 and has watched her players grow from their first tentative catch to making sure handed receptions. Stefanie has a Kinesiology degree from Wilfred Laurier University and currently teaches many NYFF athletes in elementary school. For Caporicci, the NYFF family is truly that, a place where her husband and fellow coach Paul, and her two children can spend time together participating in a sport they all love.
Coach
John Berardi
John Berardi is the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company. As one of the world's leading nutrition experts, he has advised top organizations like Apple, Equinox, Nike, Titleist, the San Antonio Spurs (as NBA champions), Sloane Stephens (as US Open Champion), Georges St. Pierre (as 2-division UFC Champion), and many other Olympic and pro teams. His work has been widely cited in the media, from the New York Times to the Harvard Business Review. And he’s been named one of the 20 smartest coaches in the world and 100 most influential people in health and fitness. When it comes to youth sport, he’s a trained track and field coach, soccer coach, and flag football coach. And, for the last 10 years, he’s focused on helping coach his four children and their various sports teams.
Coach
Eugene Park
Eugene brings years of football experience as both a player and a coach. He spent five years at Myer, playing running back, slot receiver, defensive back, and long snapper. He also played two years of 5-on-5 flag and 7-on-7 touch with us, followed by a season of men’s 7-on-7 with the Hoolies. He went on to play two years at the University of Waterloo as a defensive back and long snapper. Now in his second year of coaching, he works with the defensive backs at both Myer and the Niagara Spears.
Jada Baptistee
Jada Baptistee joins the Niagara Youth Football and Niagara Nitros coaching team with experience at both the university and professional levels. She has coached with the Carleton University men’s football program, working with the defensive backs, linebackers, and football operations staff. She also worked with the Toronto Argonauts during training camp, supporting their defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive staff. Back home in Ottawa, where she began her teaching career, she coached at several high schools. As a player, she spent three years playing flag football for the University of Ottawa in OWIFA and also competed with a women’s team in Ottawa, lining up at rusher, receiver, centre, and cornerback/safety. She loves the game and is excited to help it grow with the next generation.