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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 23/15 |
3rd July 2015 |
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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 23/15 |
3rd July 2015 |
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CHAIN CREWS FOR NFL INTERNATIONAL SERIES GAMES AT WEMBLEY 2015
In previous years BAFRA has supplied officials for the Chain Crew for these games (eight officials at each game). I am pleased to report that we have been asked by the Mike Kensil, NFL Vice President Operations to provide Chain Crews for all three games this year.
The game details are as follows:
4th October at 1430 hours: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
25th October at 1330 hours: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
1st November at 1430 hours: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Please note the earlier start times for all games on although accommodation near the stadium will be available for all chain crews members at every game.
Expressions of Interest to be part of the Chain Crews for these games are now invited from all eligible officials. All BAFRA members who have either never worked on a Wembley NFL Chain Crew, or have only done it on one occasion are welcome to apply. Please clearly state for which games you will be available. Note that we need to schedule officials for two games in a row to ensure crew continuity. The selection criteria is clearly explained in the members area of the website and I would encourage all eligible officials to consider applying. However please be aware that we are usually heavily over-subscribed.
If you require further information about any aspect of this important role please contact me directly for an informal discussion.
The closing date to inform me of your interest will be Friday 10th July 2015. Please submit all requests to be considered to me, you will receive a reply from me acknowledging your expression of interest. If you do not receive a reply then contact me to ensure your application has been received.
Richard Vernon
FINANCE UPDATE
The following payments were made today.
Merseyside, Swindon, Buckingham, Solent, Berkshire and Bristol from 21/06 due to late report.
All expenses over £10 have been paid. In addition, Jurassic Coast, Swindon and Berkshire should be treated as prepaid.
Charlie Dean Young
BAFRA SPREADSHEET INFORMATION
Will anyone who requested information and has not yet received details of their BAFRA Scores on the Spreadsheet of Officials, please contact me so that I can provide you with a full breakdown of your scores.
Richard Vernon
BAFA T4 NORTH FLAG TOURNAMENT AT COVENTRY - SATURDAY 18TH JULY FROM 11:00 ONWARDS
Hosted by the Pink Panthers Flag Academy this large youth flag event will feature Junior and Cadet level games. The organisers anticipate 12 teams and well over 100 children taking part; many of whom will be making their football debut. BAFRA has been asked to assist in this high profile event. We need officials to assist this great grass-roots initiative and make this a positive experience for new players, parents and organisers.
I am assured that refreshments will provided throughout the day for all BAFRA officials who help out. Let me know if you are available (even for some of the day) to assist.
Richard Vernon
SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE
Facebook - 24 new followers this week taking us over the 700 mark. We are looking for more volunteers to feature in "know your ref" FB message us if you are happy to feature. It has been very interesting so far to read all the stories and to hear how officials see the game growing. There is only one criteria and that is that you have some pics of you officiating (or are ok with us stealing them from your FB photos).
Twitter - we had 11 new followers this week including Jeff Reinebold. If you are on Twitter do pop over for a chat, particularly on gameday when we get our hashtags up - #zebramode #UKgridironref and post an official selfie.
In the meantime do also check out Neil Reynolds pod cast which includes his interviews with coaches, players, admin and maybe even the odd ref from the British game http://britviewnfl.com/2015/06/19/east-kilbride-pirates-and-interview-with-bafa-director-of-competitions-russ-hewitt/
If you have any suggestions on what we can include in features and updates do let us know by email or start the conversation online.
Susannah Taylor (#335) and Sean Walsh (#458)
DISCIPLINARY CASES
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NAME |
# |
TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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New this week |
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Craig Hudson |
35 |
Leeds Bobcats |
TGT |
4 |
After the final play of the game and the ball declared dead. Player targeted an opponent from behind and below the knees. |
05/07/15 v Lincolnshire Bombers |
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Mark Donald |
24 |
Halton Spartans |
TUF |
2 |
Player first reacted to a block in the back by shoving his opponent to the ground in a non-football manner. Secondly, following a Manchester score, the player remonstrated loudly to an official, using profanity. |
05/07/15 v Staffordshire Surge |
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Lee Lamb |
98 |
Halton Spartans |
FGT |
1 |
Player shoved his opponent to the ground and aimed two or three quick punches. |
05/07/15 v Staffordshire Surge |
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Mike Orr |
30 |
Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
TGT |
2 |
Player made force-able contact leading with the crown of his helmet against the runner. |
05/07/15 v Edinburgh Wolves |
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Craig MacMillan |
22 |
Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
TGT |
1 |
Player made a blind side block with force-able contact to the head/neck area of the opponent. |
05/07/15 v Edinburgh Wolves |
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Sean Lewis |
1 |
London Olympians |
FPF |
3 |
Player retaliated to being hit late out of bounds. The retaliation instigated unrest from a large number of players leading to 4 Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties. |
Under Appeal |
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Previous weeks |
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Richard Neil O Donnell |
27 |
Humber Warhawks |
FPF |
4 |
Player struck an opponent with his knee after the play. |
18/07/15 v Sandwell Steelers |
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Batuala Beraud |
8 |
London Blitz B |
FPF |
2 |
After an incomplete pass the player head butted an opponent. |
26/07/15 v Bury Saints |
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Nicholas Walter |
21 |
Essex Spartans |
FPF |
4 |
Player accelerated and contacted an opponent away from the play and out of bound with a violent hit to the head. |
05/07/15 v London Hornets |
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Ben Bainbridge |
82 |
Newcastle Vikings Youth |
TGT |
1 |
Player targeted a pursuing defender with the crown of his helmet onto the defenders helmet |
05/07/15 v Pennine Panthers |
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Simon Dunkerley |
96 |
Shropshire Revolution |
FPF |
3 |
Player committed a flagrant personal foul |
05/07/15 v Doncaster Mustangs |
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GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
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HOME TEAM |
REPORT |
NEXT HOME GAME |
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New this week |
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Leeds Bobcats |
The pitch is only 80 yards long,but the playing surface and markings were good. Muz Gibson #268 |
02/08/15 v Humber Warhawks |
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Halton Spartans |
90 yard field extremely well marked. Halton's stadium facility is excellent and makes for a fantastic gameday experience. Mike Cavanagh #465 |
05/07/15 v Staffordshire Surge |
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Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
Possibly the best marked out pitch I have seen so far, very little to fault. Changing room was small and had no coat hooks, but did have a bench and was lockable. One change of ball person for the second half. Game was abandoned prior to the start of the second half at the request of the away Head Coach due to insufficient players to continue the game safely. The result was declared final following the agreement of both coaches. John Roberts #145 |
09/08/15 v Nottingham Caesars |
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Lincolnshire Bombers |
90 yard pitch with 10 yard endzones. Both endzones were deemed too close to the perimeter fence so were shortened to 7 yards using a line marked on the field for another sport, which was agreed to by both head coaches. No limit lines or 9 yard marks and coaching boxes were made up from the afore-mentioned other sports lines. David Hewitt #607 |
05/07/15 v Leeds Bobcats |
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London Olympians |
Officials were pre-notified that the game would take place at Peckham Rye Park and Common with parking/changing next to Cafe On The Rye, Straker's Road. The pitch is for Gaelic Football and hence too long, a 100-yard pitch was marked with goal posts on end end line and the other about 20-30yds further back from the end line. The decision was to play in both directions as normal but with all kick options at the correct end.
Game started late due to the late running of the preceding Junior 9v9 game, caused partially by the medical personnel.
Changing rooms were small cargo container style facilities suitable for no more than 5 officials. Keys were held by the Cafe staff and were not available at the end of the game (although game did not finish on time).
A running clock was used in the second half and with 9 minutes remaining in the 4th Quarter (6.50pm) the game was abandoned due to an injured player on field. Both head coaches and officials were in agreement. CK Nam #586 |
05/07/15 v London Blitz |
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South London Renegades |
Pitch was the same as the London Olympians report above. Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to medical personnel leaving to get food/drinks. Chain crew and ball persons were non-attentive and poor. Vicktor Janvari #63 |
05/07/15 v London Blitz Youth |
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London Hornets |
Field was marked into 20 segments on a rugby field between the two sets of posts, which meant that each yard was actually a metre. The field was shortened to 80 "yards" based on these markings. There were no nine-yard marks or numbers, the coaching box was marked at 3 feet, the team area at 3 feet and the limit lines at 3 feet. The officials' changing room, while lockable with showers, was compact and bijou, and therefore the crew relocated to an alternative facility for the pre-game. Pete Parsons #321 |
05/07/15 v Essex Sartans |
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East Kent Mavericks |
Played at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury. 90-yard field with 8-yard end zones. Excellent 4G surface with football markings in blue with other sports marking in yellow and white. No numbers or 9-yard marks and coaching line too close to sideline but field was otherwise well marked. 3 changes to officials' assistants at half time leading to a slight delay to the start of the second half. Changing facilities good but had to be shared with teams. Tim Ockendon #481 |
19/07/15 v Colchester Gladiators |
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Hastings Conquerors |
NFL-style hashmarks. Club is unable to fix this pending resolution of a complaint against the local council. No team area line. Limit lines only 6 feet from sideline. The previously reported problem with a locked changing room at the end of the game was fixed by providing us with the key! Jim Briggs #31 |
Unknown |
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Chorley Buccaneers |
Both coaches agreed to play with no posts as none were available, there were no coaches or players boxes marked although for the most part both teams managed to stay within their respective areas. There were no numbers or 9 yard marks on the field but as the field was marked by the home team head coach and his dad I think they did a fine job and should be applauded for the effort they put in. The game was abandoned with 7:30 remaining with agreement of both coaches as the visiting team had suffered a number of injuries and felt it was unsafe for the remaining players to continue. Lee Taylor #183 |
Unknown |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Bournemouth Bobcats |
90 yard field with clear markings. Had a 28 minute delay for an injury. Philip Hume #52 |
19/07/15 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
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Chester Romans |
Field marked in both blue and white and also sing IFAF yards. Chains manually shortened to accommodate the field markings. Delay at start of second half due to chain crew and ball persons changing. Mike Cavanagh #465 |
05/07/15 v Gateshead Senators |
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Birmingham Bulls |
Field was well marked but faint, one goal was standard rugby size, the other was Gallic football with a lower crossbar and different width. Game was played using both sets of posts, neither side objected. Ian Wainwright #567 |
09/08/15 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
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Carlisle Sentinels |
Field of play was only 80 yards in length. There were a couple of deep divots that were a trip hazard that had to be filled in before kick-off. Only four officials assistants were provided initially, kick was delayed by a couple of minutes until a fifth officials assistant could be provided. Ben Griffiths #228 |
26/07/15 v Crewe Railroaders |
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Manchester Titans |
90 yard field. Multicoloured lines (blue and white) make it difficult to distinguish goal and end lines. Field very sandy, making traction difficult at times Mike Cavanagh #465 |
26/07/15 v Staffordshire Surge |
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London Warriors |
No 9 yard marks or numbers. Field markings were very faint. Team area markings were also very faint. Yardage markers on one side of the field only. Some long grass on the field. Officials changing room was OK considering there were 14 of us (double header), but no private shower or toilet. London Blitz complained because they had to change in a tent with few chairs and zero other facilities. 3 changes of ball person. Jim Briggs #31 |
05/07/15 v Bristol Aztecs |
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Cornish Sharks |
Upon arrival the field was inspected and the hashmarks looked to be at 1/3rd intervals similar to High School fields. However, after basic measurement, the field was found to be approx 47yards wide only. Additional hashmarks were added 20yards inbounds before the kickoff. Goals were soccer goals with wooden poles extended upwards. Officials had to change in public changing rooms. The kickoff was delayed due to a lack of ball-boys and last-minute briefing of chain-crew. Crew were paid cash but it was discovered (on their homeward journeys) that all officials were underpaid by £5 each. Simon Ryan #408 |
18/07/15 v Oxford Saints |
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Yorkshire Rams |
The pitch was reduced to 80 yards because of Pampas like grass at one end of the field. The grass was so long that it was not playable in the last 10 yards of the field, so the pitch was reduced in size and the game played going one way. Muz Gibson #268 |
05/07/15 v East Kilbride Pirates |
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PLAY OF THE WEEK:
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New this week |
Play:
A's
ball, free kick, on A's 35. B21 is retreating toward B's goal line
when he accidentally kicks the ball on B's 2 over B's end line.
Ruling? |
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Last week |
Play: First extra period, second possession, score still tied. 4th and 8 from the Team B 12 yard line. A8's field goal attempt is wide to the left. During the kick, B95 commits a personal foul on the Team B 9 yard line. Ruling?
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MECHANICS:
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New this week |
Game
Situation:
3rd and 5 on the team A 35. With the ball ready for play and
time running out on the 25 second clock, Team A break from the
huddle and rush to make a quick substitution while simultaneously
lining up for the play. How should the umpire react in this
situation? |
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Last week |
Play:
With 3 minutes remaining in the game, team A have just
scored and are kicking off. They are losing by 4 points. On a 4
man crew, which official(s) should be signaling / reacting to this
possible onside kick situation? |
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Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
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2015 |
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July 18th (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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September 26th (Sat) |
Britbowl |
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November 14th (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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BAFRA Directors |
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President |
David Parsons |
General Secretary |
Paul Sutton |
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Finance |
Chalies Dean Young |
Operations |
Richard Vernon |
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Recruitment |
Kevin Stanton |
Training |
Pete Thom |
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Director without Portfolio #1 |
Martin Cockerill |
Director without Portfolio #2 |
Steve Tonkinson |
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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