Issue 20/17 9th June 2017
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BAFRA ELITE PROGRAMME (BEP)
Now that the Annual Examination is complete the process of selecting the 21 members of the BEP can commence. Should you wish to be considered then you must apply in writing to the Director of Operations at operations@bafra.info. Applications will be accepted immediately and the closing date is Friday 17th June 2017.
Applications will only be considered from Qualified BAFRA members who meet specific criteria. Full details of the criteria can be found in the Elite Programme Policy in Section 7 of the Members Handbook.
Also, as part of the criteria includes your rating on the Selection Spreadsheet, which must be 80% or above, I would also recommend you read the Scheduling and Selection Policy which can be found in Section 6 of the Members Handbook. If you wish to know your current rating on the Selection Spreadsheet before making your decision on whether or not to apply, please send an email to operations@bafra.info and I will come back to you in early June with a detailed breakdown of your scores.
If it is your intention to apply then I would recommend that you read the document in full. If you are considering applying and would like an informal discussion please contact either me or Ben Griffiths who is the BEP co-ordinator.
Richard Vernon
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week - none | |||||||
Nathaniel Roadway | 6 | Hastings Conquerors | FGT | 2 | The player - unhappy with the way in which he had been tackled - punched an opponent in his face cage. | 25/06/17 v Portsmouth Dreadnoughts | |
Peter Cleaver | 1 | Birmingham Bulls | FUC | 1 | The player remonstrated with an official during a kick off, calling him a "cheat". | 11/06/17 v Leicester Falcons | |
David Mead | 17 | Lancashire Wolverines | FPF | 3 | After being sacked in the third quarter the player punched an opponent in the ribs at the end of the play. | 11/06/17 v Merserside Nighthawks | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Luke Prendergast | 6 | London Blitz | FPF | 1 | Punched an opponent after being taunted. | 11/06/17 v Bristol Aztecs | |
Anthony Amissah | 8 | Cambridgeshire Cats | TUF | 2 | After having received a penalty for dead ball taunting, player continued to be abusive towards the officials. He was dragged away by teammates twice but continued the abuse and was penalised a second time. | 11/06/17 v London Hornets | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Edinburgh Wolves | No limit line. Game was delayed for 45 minutes in the 3rd quarter while medical personnel treated a Merseyside player for a possible concussion. Henry Richardson #25 | 10/06/17 v Sheffield Giants |
Bury Saints | Farnham had a medic with them who was not registered with the team and therefore not on the roster, we explained that should they wish to have the medic on their sideline in the team area that they should register the medic with the team. The medic in question works for the same company that Bury used to provide the game medical cover so they were able to assist them when needed. Phil Clarke #262 | 09/07/17 v Bristol Aztecs |
Essex Spartans | The officials were advised that the field had not been marked by the groundsman. The previously existing markings were barely visible and so faint as to render them unusable. The home team made efforts to gain access to line-marking equipment but Thurrock RFC could not provide it. They considered attempting to mark the field with spray paint, but it was thought unlikely that this could be done effectively due to the extremely long grass. With no prospect of the game being able to begin, it was abandoned approximately one hour prior to kickoff. Alan Dobson #308 | 16/07/17 v Wembley Stallions |
Leeds Bobcats | Changing room very small, 80 yard field marked in blue, hash marks not always a yard apart and didn't always line up. Team areas marked to the 20 yard lines. Liam Wooton #478 | 25/06/17 v Carlisle Sentinels |
Ipswich Cardinals | Game started 20 mins late due to medical cover not being sufficient. The away team supplied medical cover by de-kitting 2 players so the game could go on Larry Rigby #269 | 25/06/17 v Wembley Stallions |
Sussex Thunder | 90 yard field. Phil Hume #62 | 18/06/17 v Ouse Valley Eagles |
Maidstone Pumas | Field is 90 yards and team area on one side is small because the area is tight to woodlands - Goals were football goals with extended poles. Field was covered in cuts grass that lay on the surface in clumps. Changing room is a studio far from the field. Game suspended for 52 minutes due to a player injury and waiting for ambulance David Knight #135 | 25/06/17 v Berkshire Renegades |
Lancashire Wolverines | No coaches or players boxes marked, no marks or numbers at 9 yards. For some reason only known to the groundsman and the player who told him how to mark the pitch the 90 yard field had been marked out with approximately 7.5 yard endzones with the posts 2.5 yards back from the endline, this was the same at both ends and should be rectified for their next home game. Lee Taylor #183 | 11/06/17 v Merserside Nighthawks |
Kent Exiles | No numbers or 9-yard marks. No limit lines. No private toilet or showers for the officials changing room. Peter Parsons #321 | 09/07/17 v Colchester Gladiators |
Tamworth Phoenix | Team areas marked to 30 yard lines. Brian Yates #29 | 18/06/17 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Knottingley Raiders | The field had not been marked using normal field marking paint, rather the markings appeared to have been burnt onto the field killing all the grass. The field surface had numerous cracks, which were deep but not very wide, but did not meet the definition of a trip hazard. However if there is short period of rain followed by another dry spell, the field surface could deteriorate and turn into a trip hazard. Game management were required to mark a number of lines on the field using cans of spray paint. After the game the game management were advised that the pitch would need to be fully remarked before the next game. They were also advised that the cracks in the field surface would need filing prior to their next home game. The team areas were marked between the 30 yard lines. The hashmarks were too narrow (approximately at the position of NFL hashmarks). The away team were asked if they could present three legal balls as the home team balls were not acceptable. The toilet in the officials changing room would not flush but appeared to have been used several times without cleaning. It is advisable to avoid using this toilet. Other toilet facilities were available. The changing rooms were not lockable. These problems aside, the changing rooms were ideal for a crew of 4. One of the officials assistants provided was aged 12 so he was replaced prior to kickoff. Ben Griffiths #228 | 06/08/17 v Morecambe Bay Storm |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Humber Warhawks | Due to major building works the only changing rooms were in the main sports centre, with the field a 5 minute drive on the other side of the campus. On arrival away team were having to change in the carpark next to the field. John Roberts #145 | 23/07/17 v Chester Romans |
Sandwell Steelers | Game was played at Wolverhampton RFC. The facilities and gameday management were excellent, but the field was marked out in faint yellow lines which were often difficult to see. Amir Brooks #593 | 30/07/17 v Nottingham Caesars |
London Blitz B | Most of the main lines were very faint. No coaching box or team area. Faint limit lines marked at 6'. The down box does not display all of the down numbers clearly. There were several trip hazards in the field surface which required rectifying prior to kickoff. Multiple officials assistants were changed at half time. Peter Parsons #321 | 11/06/17 v Wembley Stallions |
Glasgow Tigers | Team and Coaching areas were marked between the 30 yard lines, but game management extended them to the 25 yard lines with cones. Ian Sneddon #427 | 06/08/17 v Dumfries Hunters |
Manchester Titans | Pitch was 80 yards long with several colours of marking for other sports aslo on the pitch. Tony Newsham #302 | 11/06/17 v Yorkshire Rams |
Portsmouth Dreadnoughts | 90 yard field well marked. 2 changes of ball person during the game. Phil Hume #52 | 11/06/17 v Berkshire Renegades |
Farnham Knights | Several divots in the field identified by the officials. The problem was rectified by Game Management prior to the coin toss Euan Paterson #165 | 11/06/17 v London Warriors |
Merseyside Nighthawks | American Football Markings in Yellow, with markings for various other sports in Blue, White & Red. Team areas were marking but there was only one line at approximately 10 feet out of bounds. Ben Griffiths #228 | 09/07/17 v Edinburgh Wolves |
Newcastle Vikings | No player limit line. NFL hash marks. No 9 Yd marks. Dan Johnston #347 | 02/07/17 v Doncaster Mustangs |
Northumberland Lightening | Changing rooms some distance from field. Major arm injury to Leeds player in 3rd quarter. Game delayed by 35 minutes. Ambulance was called but advised that they would not send ambulance as was not on priority list. Credit to Northumberland player (specialist) who assisted in immediate medical care on field. Daniel Johnston #347 | 11/06/17 v Walney Terriers |
Gateshead Senators | Other markings on the field, also in white, no team area marked on one sideline. Down box doesn't show 1&2 correctly, chains broke several times during the game. 1 change of chain crew. Liam Wooton #478 | 11/06/17 v Carlisle Sentinels |
Swindon Storm | 90 yard field. Team areas reached the 20 yardline instead of the 25. Hashmarks were also in a big curve, so the Umpire used the pylons to position himself. Field surface was very dry and hard. Viktor Janvari #63 | 25/06/17 v Torbay Trojans |
London Warriors | Field marked in blue lines apart from the midfield line and end lines. No numbers, 9-yard marks, coaching boxes, team areas or limit lines. Changing rooms not lockable. Officials assistants and game balls provided less than 10 minutes before scheduled kick off time and there were several changes to the chain crew throughout the game which caused a few tempo issues. Phil Clarke #262 | 09/07/17 v London Blitz |
Bournemouth Bobcats | Holes from soccer goals had to be covered. NFL hash marks. Top of numbers at 13 yards. Fencing approximately 12 feet from the sideline had to be padded. Philip Hume #52 | 11/06/17 v Maidstone Pumas |
London Hornets | Field was marked in blue across a rugby field which has white lines. The white lines are vivid, while the blue lines are badly faded in contrast. No team areas or coaches lines marked. Also no limit lines. Andrew Murrell #608 | 11/06/17 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
Berkshire Renegades | At the end of the half time interval it was agreed by both Head Coaches and the Referee to shorten the 3rd and 4th quarters to zero minutes under Rule 3-2-2-a. Changing rooms not lockable. Peter Parsons #321 | 23/07/17 v Maidstone Pumas |
Solent Thrashers | Field markings faint - no 3 yards marks - crossbar out of line with the end line. David Knight #135 | 18/06/17 v South Wales Warriors |
Hastings Conquerors | Played at Hastings & Bexhill RFC. Well marked 90-yard field missing only numbers & limit lines. Coaching line depth so bad as to make it unusable. Changing rooms cramped, lacking facilities and not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 25/06/17 v Portsmouth Dreadnoughts |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: 3rd and 12 from Team B's 17-yard line. Late in the 4th quarter, Team A trail by 2 points. Team A are lined up to attempt a field goal. The game clock is running. Neither team have any timeouts remaining. A9's field goal attempt is blocked at the line of scrimmage. The ball rolls to Team B's 24-yard line where it comes to rest. Team B begin to celebrate and Team A begin to leave the field. The Line judge blows his whistle as no player attempts to secure the ball. The game clock reads 00:02. This was Q67 in the 2017 BAFRA exam. |
Last week (issue 09/17) | Play: On a try. Team A are lined up in scrimmage kick formation. A2's place kick is partially blocked at the line of scrimmage by B60. The ball bounces first at Team B's 1-yard line. In the end zone, before the ball strikes the ground again, B88 kicks the ball through the back of the end zone. Ruling? This was Q18 in the 2017 BAFRA exam. |
MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: If there are a few seconds remaining in the game and the game clock is running, the responsibility for whether or not the ball is snapped is solely that of the on-field timekeeper in all circumstances. True or False? This was Q99 in the 2017 BAFRA exam. |
Last week (issue 09/17) | Play: Before the game begins, the sole medical practitioners provided for the game are two Emergency Medical Technicians, one of whom holds an NQF Level 2 first aid qualification. Is this sufficient medical cover for the game? This was Q1 in the 2017 BAFRA exam. |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
2017 | ||
July 22nd (Sat) | BAFRA Board Meeting | |
November 18th (Sat) | BAFRA Board Meeting |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Paul Sutton | ||
Finance | Roger Brown | Operations | Richard Vernon | ||
Recruitment | Lee Taylor | Training | Pete Thom | ||
Director without Portfolio #1 | Peter Parsons | Director without Portfolio #2 | Steve Tonkinson | ||
The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and not necessarily of BAFRA or its Directors. All Incident Reports to be submitted via www.bafra.info. Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.info) is midnight Tuesday. |
