BAFRA Newsflash

http://www.bafra.org

Issue: 04/15

19^th February 2015

BAFRA ANNUAL CONVENTION – SAT 28^TH & SUN 29^TH MARCH

We Keep Growing!

Once again the support for the Convention has been fantastic. We now have 89 people registered to attend which is fantastic. Thanks to everyone for registering well in advance. I’m sure there are a few more people out there who have still to confirm whether or not they can come along.

Programme of Events

The Convention Programme is taking shape and should be completed next week. Again we have included a total of 8 Break-out sessions, covering a variety of topics, which everyone will be able to attend. There will also be plenty of game film and various presentations.

89 and counting

The following 89 members have booked their places at the Convention. If you are not listed it may be because you have only recently confirmed your place in the last couple of days. An updated list will be issued next week.

S Alger, M Allen, S Bernardi, S Blake, J Briggs, A Brooks, J Brookes-Lewis, R Brown, J Burns, D Burridge, M Burrows, A Cockerill, M Cockerill, G Coleman, L Connor, I Davies, R Davis, S Egan, D Froom, Mt Gibson, Muz Gibson, K Glover, R Goodgroves, R Grace, J Graveling, J Griffin, B Griffiths, A Hassan, G Hedges, D Hewitt, R Hill, D Holt, H Horner, C Jackson, B Jacquin, C Jarvis, L Johnson, D Knight, A Lambert, B LeMonnier, T Lindeman, A Lovell, J Mead, J Meredith, A Miller, R Moger, A Murrell, T Newsham, M Niven, T Ockendon, P Ogden, F Oldfield, C Olsson, D Parsons, P Parsons, E Paterson, A Pickles, R Prattley, M Prentice, S Quick, H Richardson, S Ryan, R Samples, I Sneddon, S Sombati, K Stanton, D Sterling, P Sutton, L Taylor, S Taylor, P Thom, F Thomson, S Tonkinson, R Vernon, J Walmsley-Foxton, D Welsh, S Welsh, K Wickham, C Willox, A Wilson, M Wilson, L Wood, L Wooton, D Wright, J Wyse, B Yates, C Young and S Young.

Let’s Get Registered

If you are not taking advantage of the excellent accommodation rates available at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre you still need to register to attend the Convention. To register please contact Charles Young at convention@bafra.org. Full details of the Convention and accommodation rates can be found at the following link: http://www.bafra.org/newsflash/2015/201501.htm

Payment

Payment for Convention rooms are due by 1st March, and cheques should be made payable to BAFRA Ltd and sent to Charles Young at 8 Shaw Square, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BB18 6SF. Cheques may not be cashed till this date.

If you wish to pay out of game fees please let finance@bafra.org know, if paying electronically please quote booking reference and name and use the account numbered 10255350, sort code 16-16-11, BAFRA Ltd, RBS, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Please let us know by email if you use this method to finance@bafra.org.

Davie Parsons

president@bafra.org

2015 SAPPHIRE SERIES TOURNAMENTS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 – MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO OFFICIATE

Last week I requested volunteers to come forward to assist with this series of 5 v 5 tournaments. I am pleased to report a number of officials did come forward however we still need more of you to assist particularly at the Teeside Tournament on 28^th February.

Contact me if you can work any of these events. There are very few games on 1^st March so this is your opportunity to work some very competitive football over that weekend. I am pleased to report that five officials who covered Tournaments on 14^th February have told me how much they enjoyed it and how beneficial it was in their development.

The Sapphire Series is the national championship for women’s contact football. The series, which comprises of 3 Rounds, (14^th February, 28^th February, 14^th March) sees teams compete across a number of tournaments in the 5 v 5 format.

Officials are needed to cover these tournaments; a game fee will be paid for covering these events. 3 Team Tournaments require only 2 officials; all other tournaments will need 4 officials. Officials who officiated the Opal Series last year are asked to provide their valuable experience but I also encourage newer officials to try to officiate at one of these events as it will help develop confidence, as you will be making plenty of calls .

Here are the latest tournament details:

ROUND 2 - 28^th February

Teesside Tournament (1230 start)

Venue: Stockton Riverside College, Bede College Sports Centre, Marsh House Avenue, Billingham TS23 3HB

Manchester Tournament (1230 start)

Venue: AJ Bell Stadium, Stadium Way, Eccles M30 7WH

Hertfordshire Tournament (1300 start)

Venue: Herts Sports Village, de Havilland Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU

ROUND 3 – 14^th March

Details yet to be confirmed although venues will be Leeds, Sandwell and Hatfield (2nd tournament)

Let me know by email if you can cover any of these events. Should you require any additional information I will be pleased to assist.

Ricahrd Vernon

operations@bafra.org

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of BAFRA Limited will be held at 5:00pm on 28^th March 2015 at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre, Yarnfield, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0NL as part of the Convention. All members are invited to attend. As always a proportion of the Director posts are up for election. This year they are: Director of Finance, Director of Operations, Director of Recruitment and Director without Portfolio #2

As always, the Directors encourage qualified members to put themselves forward for election to all posts. Please note that the closing date for nominations is 5:00pm on Saturday 28^th February 2015. To date, the following nominations have been received (correct to 7:00pm, Wednesday 18^th February 2015):

Director of Finance:

1) Charles Young (258); Proposed by Andrew Lovell (559); Seconded by Jonathan Ikins (104)

Director of Operations - No nominations yet received.

Director of Recruitment:

1) John Griffin (598); Proposed by Martin Cockerill (345); Seconded by Alisha Cockerill (573)

2) Kevin Stanton (157); Proposed by Pete Thom (200); Seconded by Mike Cavanagh (465)

Director without Portfolio #2:

1) Steve Tonkinson (99); Proposed by David Parsons (425); Seconded by Graham Coleman (177)

An updated list will be published in next week’s Newsflash.

Any qualified member considering standing for one of the above posts and wishes to know more information about what it entails should contact me or, should they so wish, any other director. Papers for the AGM will be sent to all members by 7^th March 2015. Proxy voting applications for qualified members unable to attend the AGM will be sent by the same date.

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

BAFRA CHARITY 2015

The Directors again invite members to nominate a charity for BAFRA members to support in 2015. Any member wishing to nominate a charity should send their suggestion to me by 28^th February.

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

QUALIFIED

Congratulations to Henry Melville on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified. Thanks to Richard Vernon and all those who are helping with Henry‘s training.

Pete Thom

training@bafra.org

DISCIPLINARY CASES

NAME	#	TEAM	CODE	Q		OFFENCE	SUSPENDED
New this week
Ryan Forshaw	58	Gloucester Gladiators	FPF	4	On the penultimate play of the game with Cardiff having elected to take a knee player shot through a gap hitting the QB and knocking him to the ground.		22/02/15 v Bristol Barracuda
Dreevesh Gooheeram	25	Solent Redhawks	FPF	4	Player came off his feet and dived into the back of an opponent, striking him with the crown of his helmet. Player was disqualified for a flagrant personal foul.		22/02/15 v BNU Buccaneers
Oliver Tobutt	54	Sussex Saxons	TUF	4	After the last play of the game player removed his helmet and threw it violently to the ground in the middle of the field.		Unknown
Laura Howarth	80	Portsmouth Destroyers	FGT	2	This disqualification occurred during Portsmouth s second and final game of the first Sapphire Series 5-on-5 womens tournament. After tackling an opponent, player stood over the ball-carrier and kicked her while the ball-carrier was on the ground.		Next tournament where team are competing
Previous weeks – none

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

HOME TEAM	REPORT	NEXT HOME GAME
New this week
Swansea Titans	Field markings are in light blue. The field hadn't been re-marked from previous games and many of the lines had become very faint. Amir Brooks #593	Unknown
BNU Buccaneers	The shower in the ref's changing room was not usable. it would be appreciated if BNU could get rid of the smell of sewage from the room. Ironically the smell did not permeate into the ref's toilet cubicle. Graham Coleman #177	22/02/15 v Solent Redhawks
Canterbury Chargers	Game delayed by 30 minutes as the field was still being marked and awaiting the chain crew/ball persons to be provided and briefed. Away team provided the game balls. Hash marks did not line up between the sideline and interior hashes, as they were being done by spray paint after the scheduled kick off time. All other lines had faint patches, and as the field surface continued to get worse throughout the game some portions of lines were totally obscured. No team areas, coaching box, 9 yard marks (or numbers), limit lines or PAT mark at the 3 yard line were present. Both ball persons failed to return for the 2nd half, so new assistants had to be briefed (which did not cause a delay to the kickoff). Crew were not paid Phil Clarke #262	Unknown
Lincoln Colonials	There was only one set of goalposts and both teams wanted to be able to kick for goal. So the game was played with every offensive play attacking the goalposts. Muz Gibson #268	22/02/15 v Huddersfield Hawks
Manchester Tyrants	Lack of required medical personnel meant that kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes. The field was marked as 100 yards with 3 yard endzones, so the home team set up the 5 yard lines to be used as the goal lines leaving a 90 yard field with 8 yard endzones and hashmarks running into the endzone. No coaches' or teams' area marked. Aminul Hassan #534
MMU Eagles	The field was marked as 100 yards with 3 yard endzones, so the home team set up the 5 yard lines to be used as the goal lines leaving a 90 yard field with 8 yard endzones and hashmarks running into the endzone. No coaches' or teams' area marked. Aminul Hassan #534
Leeds Becket	The following lines are missing on the 3G field, team or coaching boxes, these were marked out with cones prior to KO. Goal lines were marked approximately 4" short, so did not actually touch the sidelines. This was a very hard fought game and the result was only decided in the last 10 seconds, however both teams played with high intensity and good sportsmanship throughout the game and plaudits should go to both teams. Chris Jarvis #10	Unknown
Kingston Cougars	No 9 yard lines. No Hash Marks on inbounds lines running in line with posts. Field extremely muddy in parts. Team and Coaches area marked using cones only. Richard Vernon #103	Playoffs?
Staffordshire Stallions	Several issues on game: One set of goals - ran with one goal mechanics; Jersey clash as both team turned up with exactly the same red jerseys (both teams claim to have been advised by their AU to wear red) - game proceeded by Staffs wearing grey vests and staff surge senior team shirts Game suspended at 6:45 in Q2 for treatment of broken leg suffered by Staffs Player. Game resumed 35 mins later NFL hash marks, narrow field. Andrew Lovell #559	Unknown
KCL Regents	Played at Guy's Hospital Rugby Club. 80-yard field marked faintly in red with rugby markings in white. Hashmarks too long, both at sidelines and inbounds lines, and not always one yard apart. Numbers incorrectly positioned (bottom at 9 yards). Rugby line approximated for team area line and coaching line marked with cones but only on one side. Tim Ockendon #481	Unknown
Birmingham Lions	Kick-off delayed for an hour due to late arrival of away team. Field markings v. faint. Jed Brooes Lewis #395	Playoffs?
Tarannau Aberystwyth	Only one ball person was provided and pylons level with the hashmarks were not present. The field markings were excellent on a 100-yard field and the game was played in good spirits by a pair of good teams. Paul Todd #289	2/02/15 v Staffordshire Stallions
Sheffield Sabres	There were no separate changing rooms available and the public changing rooms were not secure, however the sports centre management offered to lock the official’s outdoor clothing and valuables in another room. The field is 80yds with Red markings with NFL positioned hash marks to the centre of field also the following lines were missing Coaching/Team Boxes and 9 yard marks or numbers. The game was delayed by the late arrival of the medical staff, when they did arrive at around 30 minutes after the scheduled KO time of 13.00 it was discovered that the medical assistants supplied were not adequate by rule 13,1,1a as the Ambulance crew were Advanced Medical Technicians and not registered as a Paramedic, Doctor, Physiotherapist or Nurse, therefore 1 hour after the Scheduled KO time the away team Head Coach informed the Referee that the game would not go ahead and the crew left the field and the game was abandoned. Chris Jarvis #10	Unknown
Outstanding items from previous weeks
Imperial Immortals	Field markings considerably improved, in yellow with rugby markings in white. Rugby markings approximated for 9-yard marks and coaching line; all other markings with the exception of team area lines and limit lines were present and correct. Tim Ockendon #481	22/02/15 v Bath Killer Bees
Leeds Celtics	The 5 yard lines were not always 5 yards apart. Team areas marked between 20 yard lines. Prior to the game it was discovered that the provided medical cover was two technicians and an ambulance; which was insufficient. One of the visiting team assistant coaches had the appropriate medical qualification to meet rule 13-1-1 and upon his inspection of the equipment provided by the ambulance technicians he agreed to act as medical cover. Resolving this delayed kick-off by 5 minutes. Ben Griffiths #228	22/02/15 v Bradford Bears
Chichester Spitfires	90 yard field with 7 yard end zones. No 9-yard marks and the (very small) numbers were only 5 yards from the sideline. Some of the hash marks were more than 1 yard apart. No team area or coaching box markings. With the agreement of both teams, the game kicked off 30 minutes EARLY because the preceding rugby match was cancelled. Excellent changing rooms. Jim Briggs	22/02/15 v Southampton Stags
UWE Bullets	Inbounds lines less than 60 feet from sidelines. No numbers or marks on field. Sideline numbers and pylons not brought out until kick off time. Game management stated this was because of a late finishing soccer game. Ball boys not provided until kick off. One ball had a slow puncture and therefore one was provided by the visiting team. Otherwise, a good hard fought game between two local teams. Mike LeFevre #341	22/02/15 v Exeter Demons
Brunel Burners	No numbers or nine yard marks, NFL Hashmarks. 5 balls presented 2 selected and used after inflation to correct level. Change of chain crew. Martin Cockerill #345	22/02/15 v LSBU Spartans
Keele Crusaders	Game played at Staffordshire University even though it was officially Keele's home game. Only one set of goal posts so all drives went one way. Only 2 legal balls were provided by Keele but Staffordshire had 3 better-quality balls so the teams agreed to use them instead. No ball persons were provided by Keele. Field was also too narrow. Aminul Hussan #534	01/03/15 v MMU Eagles
Derby Braves	There were no 5 yards lines, only 10 yard lines. There was only one goal so all offensive plays took place towards that goal. The only goal was too wide (it appeared to be roughly correct for an NFHS game). One end zone was only 6 yards in length; however no offensive plays took place towards that end zone. No 9 yard marks or numbers. No team areas or coaching lines marked. The third member of the chain crew was only provided a couple of minutes before kick-off so the game kicked off 1 minute late while they were briefed. Changing rooms were not lockable (there was also no showering facilities available for the officials)	22/02/15 v Sheffield
Warwick Wolves	The kick off was delayed by 15 minutes waiting for Warwick to supply a team roster form	22/02/15 v Northampton
Kent Falcons	Played at Park Wood field. 90-yard grass field with markings in red, visibility of which stood up well under difficult conditions. Numbers incorrectly positioned. No 9-yard marks, team areas or limit lines. Game balls provided were all under-inflated but this was rectified by game management prior to kickoff. Excellent job done by the ball persons to keep the game balls dry enough to be playable under difficult conditions. Tim Ockendon #481	22/02/15 v Cambridge Pythons
Greenwich Mariners	Greenwich Mariners only had 13 players at the venue, so a decision was taken by their head coach to abandon the game 40 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time. RHUL coaching staff were informed of this decision by the Greenwich coaching staff, and the officials were also notified at that time that the game was not going ahead.	22/02/15 v Kings College

END ZONE

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: A's ball, 4th and 2, on A's 40. B18 holds his extended arm straight up for a fair catch signal without waving his arm on B's 22. He muffs the ball on B's 20 and B28 recovers on B's 8. A84 was in the neutral zone at the snap. Ruling?
Ruling?

Last week

Play: A's ball, 1st and 10, on B's 35. A86 just legally recovered a punt on B's 35 that was muffed by B23. The referee marks the ball ready for play and Team B is still huddled on the sideline with Team A about to snap the ball. The referee signals timeout. Ruling?

Ruling: A's ball, 1st and 5, on B's 30. The clock starts on the snap. Team B is penalized for delay of game. The 5-yard penalty is enforced from the succeeeding spot, B's 35.

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: 4th and 20 at the A23, team A are punting. Right-footed punter A12's punt is blocked and the ball goes into the backfield. How should the referee and wingmen be positioned and react in order to cover the subsequent action? It is a 7 man crew.
Answer next issue...

Last week

Play: Player A34 is in position to catch a forward pass near the sideline. He jumps to catch the ball and comes down with it either in or out of bounds. How should a covering wing official watch the play in order to ensure the best possible coverage of the action? (4 man crew)
Answer: M-11-4-c-1. A wing official should watch a player's feet first when a an airborne player attempts to catch a ball close to the sideline. If the player lands in bounds, the official should then look to the player's hands to see if he had control. If the official looks at his hands first he may miss the instant when his feet first touch the ground. The same mechanics are true of 6 and 7 man crews, but when working larger crews officials should attempt to establish eye-contact with their sideline colleague before ruling on the pass.

CALENDAR

Date	Event	Contact for details
2014
March 28^th & 29^th	BAFRA Annual Convention	president@bafra.org

BAFRA Directors
President	David Parsons	president@bafra.org	General Secretary	Paul Sutton	secretary@bafra.org
Finance	Andrew Lovell	finance@bafra.org	Operations	Richard Vernon	operations@bafra.org
Recruitment	James Meredith	recruitment@bafra.org	Training	Pete Thom	training@bafra.org
Director without Portfolio #1	Martin Cockerill	dwp1@bafra.org	Director without Portfolio #2	Steve Tonkinson	dwp2@bafra.org

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.org.

Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.org) is midnight Tuesday.

Editor: Dean Wright - Email: newsflash@bafra.org