BAFRA Newsflash

http://www.bafra.org

Issue: 05/15

26th February 2015


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


Ton Up!


Back in 2006 when I organised my first Convention as Director of Training we attracted 36 members. I was really disappointed that year as I thought we could have done a lot better. Since then we set out to make the event more attractive and affordable to all and my ambition was to reach that magical number of 100. Well this week we finally reached that mark when Alan Christopher became the 100th person to register. This landmark figure demonstrates how BAFRA has developed and grown over the last 10 years and we should all be proud of this achievement.


As the person who takes the lead in organising the Convention I do tend to attract a lot of the praise. However it’s the work and effort put in by the BAFRA Board and many unnamed members over the years that have brought us to where we are today. I will ensure those people get the appropriate recognition at the Convention. Looks like we will have a busy weekend


100 and counting


The following 100 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, J Bennett, S Bernardi, F Bevan, S Blake, J Briggs, A Brooks, J Brookes-Lewis, R Brown, J Burns, D Burridge, M Burrows, A Christopher, P Clarke, 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, P Hume, J Ikins, 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, P Roberts, J Roberts, S Ryan, R Samples, I Sneddon, S Sombati, K Stanton, D Sterling, P Sutton, L Taylor, S Taylor, P Thom, F Thomson, P Todd, S Tonkinson, R Vernon, T Vickers, J Walmsley-Foxton, D Welsh, S Welsh, R Whitby, K Wickham, C Willox, A Wilson, M Wilson, L Wood, L Wooton, D Wright, J Wyse, B Yates, C Young and S Young.


It’s Closing Time. Almost!


The closing date for registering to attend the Convention has been extended to Monday 2nd March. You can still come along if you decide nearer the time however we will only have, Convention Packs, DVD’s etc. for those who pre-register before this date. Also worth noting is the accommodation subsidy will not be available after this date as we need to confirm numbers to the Convention Centre and make a payment. To register please contact Charles Young at convention@bafra.org.


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 2nd 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


PLAY OFFS/AREA FINALS AND PREMIER BOWL


March sees the completion of the BUCS League. The Premier and Area Semi-Finals (2 Southern/2 Northern) will take place over the weekend 7th/8th March. The Premier Bowl is Saturday 21st March at Allianz Park, London, NW4 at 2.30pm. The two area finals will take place on 22nd March.


All officials are asked to ensure that their Arbiter information is up to date as selection for these prestigious games will take place shortly.


Richard Vernon

operations@bafra.org


MORE GAMES OVER THE WEEKEND 21ST/22ND MARCH


In addition to College Finals we now have an increasing number of other games, including college varsity games and senior league pre-season games on both 21st and 22nd March. Please make sure you update Arbiter as we will be assigning crews to these games which are mainly in the south east/south coast and east.


Richard Vernon

operations@bafra.org


2015 SAPPHIRE SERIES TOURNAMENT


The Sapphire Series is the national championship for women’s contact football. The series, which comprises of 3 Rounds, (14th February, 28th February, 14th March) sees teams compete across a number of tournaments in the 5 v 5 format. Last week I requested volunteers to come forward to assist with Round 2 of this series of 5 v 5 tournaments. I am pleased to report a number of officials did come forward so we are able to fully cover all three Tournaments this Saturday, 28th February.


Officials are needed to cover these tournaments; a game fee will be paid for covering these events.


We now require officials to cover Round 3. Officials who have 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. So far 8 officials who had never officiated 5 v 5 football have worked these games so this is a great opportunity to develop your officiating skills.


ROUND 3 – 14th March


Hertfordshire Tournament (1300 start):

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


Sandwell Tournament (1200 Start):

Venue: Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Roak, Tipton, West Midlands DY4 0BS


Leeds Tournament:

Venue and other details to be confirmed


TOURNAMENT FINALS DAY - 4th April


Venue: University of Derby.


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.


AGM


The Annual General Meeting of BAFRA Limited will be held at 5:00pm on 28th 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 28th February 2015, so if you are considering standing for any of the posts, please ensure that I have received your nomination by then.


To date, the following nominations have been received (correct to 11:00pm, Tuesday 24th 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)


The final 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 7th 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 28th February. Thank you to those who have already made suggestions. The final list with web links to the charities proposed will be in next week’s Newsflash.


Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org


QUALIFIED


Congratulations to Stephen Donaldson and Jason Mead on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified. Thanks to all those who helped with the guys' training.


Pete Thom

training@bafra.org


DISCIPLINARY CASES


NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Nick Lennox

19

Durham Saints

FPF

2

After the play was over #91 walked past a Stirling player who was on lying on the ground and kicked him.

Unknown

Andrew Metcalfe

21

Northumbria Mustangs

TUF

1

Player was penalized for 2nd Unsportsmanlike Conduct Foul and thus disqualified.

Unknown

Previous weeks – none











GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS


HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Hertfordshire Hurricanes

Kick off delayed one hour due to late arrival of away team. Game suspended for 15 minutes to treat injured player.

Brian Yates #29

Unknown

UCH Sharks

The 100 yard field was very well marked and the only lines that were missing were the 9 yard marks and the 3 yard PAT marks. The 3 balls that were presented were very tired looking and the away team only had composite balls, therefore we went with waht we had. With 7.30 renaming in the 4th quarter the Umpire (James Meredith #547), during an interception and run back, sustained an accidental block in the back and the players facemask made contact with the back of his head, causing James to feel very groggy and he sat out the rest of the game in the ambulance. Happily he seemed to be OK after the trip home.

Chris Jarvis #10

Unknown

Aberystwyth

100 yard field marked to specification. However, the rain meant that the field- which was muddy to begin with - descended into a quagmire. Chain crew changed at half-time.

Aminul Hassan #534

Playoffs?

Northumbria Mustangs

Down marker was only about 3 feet tall. Chain set broke several times. Two of the chain crew did not return for the 2nd half and had to be replaced. Inbounds hash marks were too wide.

Shawn Sombati #15

Unknown

City Sentinels

Medical Cover inadequate as two personnel provided with ambulance were not Paramedics. After discussion it was agreed that I would provide cover to allow the game to proceed. Plans were made to drop to a four man crew if I was required. This eventuality did not occur.

Jeremy Parker #544

Unknown

LJM Fury

90 yard field. Hashmarks at inbounds lines faded as game wore on due to inclement weather. Initial chain crew rejected as inadequate. Second chain crew did a good job; however 1 member of chain crew changed at half time.

Mike Cavanagh #465

Unknown

Kent Falcons

90-yard field marked in red with rugby markings in white. No team area markings, numbers too close to sideline and inbounds lines at NFL distance. Field surface was muddy at KO and deteriorated as the game progressed, especially an area at one 30-yard line where it was impossible to spot the ball. Chain broke several times during the game and was only able to be repaired on the final occasion with the assistance of away team game management.

Tim Ockendon #481

Unknown

Leeds Celtics

Game kicked off 30 minutes early due to medical cover needing to leave at 15:00. Crew only informed of this on arrival. 25 minute injury delay in 2nd half put game at risk of abandonment due to this medical cover restriction but game ended at 15:05 and medical stayed for completion.


90-yd field marked in fairly faint red paint which deteriorated as the weather and field got progressively worse and became difficult to see anything other than main lines. Extreme weather conditions made this game very challenging with a 3-man crew and huge thanks to all the volunteers for standing in the freezing conditions all afternoon.

Stuart Young #33

Unknown

Surrey Stingers

Well marked out field. The only significant error in the markings was that the team area extended to the 20 yard lines. Field was over 400 yards from the changing rooms. Changing room lock has to activated from the sports centre front desk. Once activated, access is via key card. No toilet in dressing room.

One of the ball boys was quite poor, but fortunately the ball didn't go to his side of the field very often.

Jim Briggs #31

Playoffs?

Derby Braves

Only one set of goalposts and as both coaches wanted to go for field goals and PAT's, all offensive plays attacked the posts. The pitch markings too were of poor visibility.

Muz Gibson #268

Playoffs

Outstanding items from previous weeks

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?

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

Birmingham Lions

Kick-off delayed for an hour due to late arrival of away team. Field markings v. faint.

Jed Brooes Lewis #395

Playoffs?


END ZONE


PLAY OF THE WEEK:


New this week

Play: A's ball, 3rd and 8, on B's 48. A15's throws a legal forward pass to A89. B33 turns his back to the line of scrimmage and waves his hands near A89's face. A89, attempting to come back to the under-thrown but catchable ball, knocks B33 down on B's 34 and the pass falls incomplete.
Ruling?

Last 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: A's ball, 4th and 7, on A's 35. The encroachment foul by A84 is a dead ball foul. All subsequent action was with a dead ball. The 5-yard penalty is enforced from the succeeding spot, A's 40. Time may have to be put back on the clock. (7-1-3-c)


MECHANICS:


New this week

Game Situation: How should a Linesman and Linejudge work together during a penalty enforcement to ensure that yardage is marked off correctly? Note that this is not a free kick play.
Answer next issue...

Last week

Play: 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: M-9-7-b-2, referee should be on the kicker's foot side. M-13-7-c-8, the wingman on the side of the field opposite the referee should move into the backfield to assist the R. The official on the far side should be aware of this an be prepared to cover the LOS.


CALENDAR

Date

Event

Contact for details

2015

March 7th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

March 21st / 22nd

BUCS FinalsWeekend


March 28th & 29th

BAFRA Annual Convention

president@bafra.org

May 9th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

July 18th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

November 14th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@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