CONVENTION COUNTDOWN

Convention Countdown

It’s just a few days now to our biggest Convention for many a year. All the preparation work is done and all we need to do now is turn up and make the most of the weekend. The final count is now 76 registered to attend.

Welcome Desk

The Welcome Desk will be open between 9:00am - 9:30am on the Saturday morning and will be located in the Wake Green Suite.

A few things will happen when you arrive at the Welcome Desk. Firstly you will need to sign-in and then pick up your Convention Pack. This will contain the following items:

• Officiating Review DVD

• Programme of Events

• 2010 BAFA Rule Book

• Game Day Paperwork Packs

• Writing Paper and Pen

• I.D. Badge

You will then be shown to the Main Convention Hall where Tea and Coffee will be available. We have quite a lot to get through during the day so I would ask that everyone makes the effort to be there as early as possible. We will start at 9:30am prompt.

Housekeeping Notes

Rooms will be available from 2:00pm on your day of arrival. We will probably have a room available where bags can be stored until you check-in. I will arrive at the hotel around 6:00pm on the Friday and Charlie will be there around 5:00pm. If you have any problems please let us know. Directions to the hotel can be found at: http://www.coventryhillhotel.co.uk.

I look forward to meeting everyone at the Convention and I’m sure we will all have an enjoyable weekend.

Davie Parsons

training@bafra.org

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This is a reminder that the papers for the AGM, which is due to be held at 5:00pm on 20^th March 2010 at the Coventry Hill Hotel, may be found in the member’s area of the website. Colin Willox has set up a special area where all of the papers are located except for the minutes of the 2009 meeting which may be found in the “meetings” area of the website.

In particular, I draw you attention to the statements of the candidates for election to the posts of President and Director without Portfolio and urge you to read these as part of your decision-making process.

Copies of papers will not be available at the meeting so if you require them in hard copy you should download your own.

Finally, may I remind you that whilst members in all categories may attend and ask questions at the meeting, only qualified members may vote.

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

2010 EXAMINATION

These will be given out during the Convention and posted out to those who do not attend. It is mandatory that qualified officials sit the exam, and it is strongly recommended that associate officials also attempt it (if only to measure their own progress). In previous years a field diagram has been issues with the exam but it will not be this year. Instead, a copy of the field diagram is available in the member’s area of the website for you to peruse or download.

The examination must be returned to me by Saturday 24^th April at the latest, unless an extension has been granted. This may only be done by the Director of Training; the Examination Committee do not have this authority. Results will be sent out individually after the exam period closes.

Paul Sutton

exam2010@bafra.org

EXPENSES AND BAFA SUBSCRIPTION

The next batch of travel expenses, for people with more than £10 due to them will be given out at the Convention. For those not attending the convention, cheques will be sent by post within 7 days of the Convention. If anyone has any queries on their expenses, please contact the Referee for the game in the first instance, as experience has shown most queries relate to the late, or incomplete, submission of Green Game Day forms.

Also included in the expenses will be a re-imbursement of £5 from BAFA subscription, for those who pay their BAFA subscription through BAFRA. This follows a decision by BAFA not to increase their subscription fee for this year, rather than increase it by £5 as had been proposed.

Andrew Lovell

finance@bafra.org

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Congratulations to Albert Lambert Jnr on completing the Induction Training Programme. Thanks to Russell Newton who helped with Albert’s training.

Davie Parsons

training@bafra.org

CORRESPONDENCE FROM LEEDS CARNEGIE

I have received the following correspondence from Leeds Carnegie:

“Now our 2009/10 season is over, I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the excellent contribution the assigned officiating crews have made to our fixtures in our inaugural season. All but 4 of our 33 squad have been completely new to the sport; even they've immediately recognised that the game is so much better with committed officials.

Please pass on our appreciation to all those involved in officiating our games this season and, of course, thank you for all your help & support.”

Pete Johnson

operations@bafra.org

MIDLANDS TRAINING MEETING

The Midlands Region Training meeting is held on the 1^st Thursday of each month, 7.30 pm, at the Coopers Tavern, Cross Street, Burton on Trent. However, due to a previous booking at the premises, April's meeting will actually be on Thurs 8^th April, same time.

Andrew Lovell

#377

ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEKEND 27/28 MARCH

There are still 2 plate games to play before the final venues for the weekend 27/28 March are finalised. These games have a significant bearing on locations. In particular whether there will be 2 games in the NE or just one. It has the potential to impact the Midlands and Yorkshire as well in terms of crew assignments.

Therefore I will publish the assignments for the 27/28 March no later than the evening Monday 22^nd. If possible I will publish on the evening of the 21^st.

Thank you for your patience.

Pete Johnson

operations@bafra.org

DISCIPLINARY CASES

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

END ZONE

CALENDAR