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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 45/15 |
10th December 2015 |
SURVEY OF MEMBERS 2015
Thank you to the 121 members who took the time to complete the annual survey this year. As always, the Board, both collectively and individually, finds the ideas and feedback helpful and it is used to help inform policy over the months ahead. Details of the responses to this year’s survey may be found in the member’s area of the website at: http://www.bafra.org/members/other/MembersSurvey2015.pdf.
Paul Sutton
OFFICIATING AWARDS
After a gap of some 20 years, the Directors have agreed to re-institute some officiating awards to be presented at the Convention each year. It is intended that there shall be two such awards. Firstly for the “Official of the Year”. It will be open to any member to make a nomination for this award and the Selection Committee will make their choice from those nominated.
The other is an award for the Upcoming New Official of the Year. This will be called the Alan Wilson Award in honour of the memory of Alan who so sadly passed away this September. It will be open only to new officials who have qualified in the two calendar years prior to the Convention. The five (or slightly more if the scores are very close) with the highest scores on the Selection Committee Spreadsheet will be considered by the Selection Committee who will make the final choice.
Full details of the criteria for both awards will be published on the website and details of how to make nominations for the Official of the Year will appear in the first Newsflash of the New Year.
Paul Sutton
RESULTS
Derby Braves 20-31 Durham Saints
Loughborough Students 22-6 Hallam Warriors
Hertfordshire Hurricanes 37-0 Imperial Immortals
Bath Killer Bees 9-27 Birmingham Lions
Northumbria Mustangs 7-14 (2OT) Newcastle Raiders
Huddersfield Hawks 6-64 UCLan Rams
Nottingham Outlaws 32-34 Warwick Wolves
Nottingham Outlaws 60-6 Staffordshire Stallions
Worcester Royals 0-14 NTU Renegades
Tarannau Aberystwyth 0-54 Swansea Titans
Exeter Demons 0-27 Cardiff Cobras
Reading Knights 18-20 Solent Redhawks
Surrey Stingers 7-0 KCL Regents
Brighton Tsunami 9-2 Kent Falcons
UEA Pirates 6-36 Sussex Saxons
Edinburgh Predators 6-19 Edinburgh Napier Knights
Liverpool Raptors 26-14 Keele Crusaders
Bangor Muddogs 8-19 LJMU Fury
Manchester Tyrants 27-6 York Centurions
Leeds Celtics 8-14 Bradford Bears
Leicester Longhorns 0-6 DMU Falcons
Lincoln Colonials 14-12 Northampton Nemesis
Gloucestershire Gladiators 51-12 Bath Spa Bulldogs
Bournemouth Bobcats 0-18 Plymouth Blitz
Southampton Stags 0-34 Brunel Burners
Chichester Spitfires 7-26 Portsmouth Destroyers
UEL Titans 15-8 LSBU Spartans
ARU Rhinos 0-9 Essex Blades
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME |
# |
TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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New this week |
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Emmanuel Fasanya |
64 |
Keele Crusaders |
FUC |
3 |
After being tackled, the player kicked an opponent in the head. |
13/12/15 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Anthony Montanez |
62 |
Northumbria Mustangs |
FPF |
1 |
Player clipped an opponent who had given up on the play and was trailing behind the ball by a considerable distance. |
31/01/16 v Sunderland Spartans |
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Previous weeks |
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Jamal Ennis-Melhado |
52 |
Edge Hill Vikings |
FGT |
3 |
After the play was over the player was seen to throw punches at LJM #5 |
24/01/16 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Mark Martin |
5 |
LJM Fury |
FGT |
3 |
Player was seen to throw punches at Edge Hill #52 after the play was over |
06/12/15 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Thomas Lachendro |
98 |
Glasgow Tigers |
TGT |
3 |
During a punt return #98 launched himself into an opponent, contacting the opponent on the helmet with the crown of his own helmet. |
24/01/16 v Sunderland Spartans |
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GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM |
REPORT |
NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week |
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UEL Titans |
Field had been remarked since the double header the previous week. Except the inbounds hash marks. These were very faint and missing in places. Field only 80 yards in length. Game balls all very worn and under inflated. Only four pylons, placed the intersection of the goal lines and sidelines. Changing rooms not lockable and a long way from the field. The crew had to leave all belongings at the side of the field. Steve Leonard #370 |
31/01/16 v Westminster Dragons |
Manchester Tyrants |
90 yard field, well-marked apart from missing 3-yard PAT lines. Ady Miller #124 |
07/02/16 v MMU Eagles |
Tarannau Aberystwyth |
Due to heavy overnight rain, many of the field marking had become faint, although still playable. One ballboy was changed at half time. Amir Brooks #593 |
21/02/16 v Exeter Demons |
Brighton Tsunami |
Well marked field in blue with other sport markings in yellow & white. Goals lashed to the surrounding fence set back about 2 yards from the end line. Team areas marked out with cones.5 minute delays at the start of each half for identifying and training officials' assistants. Tim Ockendon #481 |
31/01/16 v Cambridge Pythons |
Bangor Muddogs |
90 yard AstroTurf field which was well marked the night before the game but the incessant rain overnight had washed the lines so they were a little faint. Officially this was a Bangor home game and credit should be given to LJMU for organising another early kickoff at short notice to accommodate at their home venue. Lee Taylor #183 |
24/01/16 v Edge Hill Vikings |
Liverpool Raptors |
As the game kicked off at 15:00 the light was fading and the yellow lines on a green AstroTurf field faded significantly during the game to the point they were almost invisible. The overnight rain played a major part in this. Team and coaching areas not marked Lee Taylor #183 |
31/01/16 v LJM Fury |
Huddersfield Hawks |
On this day all damp and dreary, A couple of things we could not see clearly, No players box even marked with cones No 3 yard mark near the endzones. Whilst in the pregame of a crew of four, There came a rapping, tapping at the changing room door, The Headcoach said to his dismay, "the KO will be late due to an field admin delay" "Also" he added "upon half the field the markings ain’t" "We have sent out guys to buy more paint" Only this and nothing more quoth the white Hat "Nevermore" After an hour's wait the game went ahead, and with something that should be said - the field was well marked and nothing in red. So finally the game went fore, only this and nothing more. John Roberts #145 |
13/12/15 v Leeds Carnegie |
Nottingham Outlaws |
No posts, field otherwise well marked. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 |
20/02/16 v Worcester Royals |
Gloucester Gladiators |
Ball persons very slow. Plaudits to Gloucestershire for rearranging fixture to new venue and marking the field well at short notice. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 |
31/01/16 v Plymouth Blitz |
Edinburgh Predators |
No limit line, no team box or coaching area marked Henry Richardson #25 |
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Chichester Spitfires |
3 game balls supplied were all under-inflated and had to be returned. Field marked in blue into grass, hash marks in the centre of the field were in the incorrect positions (too wide apart - approximately 51 feet) crew decided to place the ball inside the hash marks to where they should have been. 9 yard marks were only 7 yards from the sidelines. No team areas marked, some small cones marked the team areas. Chain crew changed during the game, without informing the HL, suddenly the ball boys was holding the front stake in the 4th quarter. Chain crew member smoking. Good chaining room which were locked during the game but door could have been climbed over so not as secure as would have liked. Members of the university entered the chaining room prior to the crew being finished (changing rooms normally public changing rooms). Crew not paid by the team. Game played in a good spirit, however was getting very dark towards the end of the 4th quarter so suggestion that the KO time is moved forward for future games David Knight #135 |
13/12/15 v BNU Buccaneers |
Leeds Celtics |
Game started 15 minutes late due to the lack of medical cover. The field was uneven and extremely muddy in places. Aminul Hassan #534 |
31/01/16 v York Centurions |
Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
The field looked like it had been marked as a 100-yard field with 5-yard end zones, but was laid out as a 90-yard field with 10-yard end zones, meaning there was an additional line all the way across the field in the middle of the end zone, and there were sideline hashes marked for 5 yards in both end zones at both sidelines. The coaching boxes and team areas were marked with collapsible cones. Pete Parsons #321 |
31/01/16 v Kingston Cougars |
UEA Pirates |
Chain crew and 1 ball person changed at half time. Larry Rigby #269 |
24/01/16 v Brighton Tsunami |
Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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City Sentinels |
80 yard pitch, very muddy, lying water in places Larry Rigby #269 |
14/02/16 v LSBU Spartans |
Brunel Burners |
The main lines on the field were marked in blue, with the hash marks at the sideline marked in red. There were no hashmarks in the middle of the field, nor were there any numbers or nine-yard marks. The team areas were marked to the 23-yard line in each direction. The officials assistants were provided very late and there were multiple changes made to the chain crew. Initially, only two useable footballs were provided. The goal posts were 1 yard behind the end line. Changing rooms were not lockable. Pete Parsons #321 |
24/01/16 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
Edge Hill Vikings |
No coaches or player boxes marked. Pitch was marked in yellow paint which on a grass field deteriorated as the game went on. We should have known it was not going to be the best of days when on route to do a pitch inspection prior to the game the referee slipped and fell over in what was already a marsh at the back of the endzone, I am sure there was someone duck hunting back there during the game. Plaudits should be given to coaches, players and staff from both teams for managing to arrange the fixture as a 10:30 kickoff and to accommodate the officials covering a later fixture at a different venue on the same day. Then kickoff was delayed by 50 minutes as the medical coverage had broken down and did not arrive until late, a member of the LJM coaching staff stepped up to cover so the game could start within the 60 minute time limit allowed by rule. I must also thank the rest of the BAFRA crew who turned out to officiate the game in the absolute worst conditions I have ever taken the field in. Lee Taylor #183 |
31/01/16 v Keele Crusaders |
Coventry Jets |
80 yard field marked in red on a rugby pitch, no team areas formally marked but adapted other markings instead. Richard Whitby #136 |
24/01/16 v Leicester Longhorns |
Solent Redhawks |
Crossbars on the goals are not on the endline - slightly overhang into the endzone. Field markings are yellow and become invisible when the sun reflects at a certain angle, but are visible under normal circumstances. Game management should be applauded for ensuring the availability of chain crew and ball boys prior to the game. Chain crew all first time crew members and were excellent. David Knight #135 |
24/01/16 v Surrey Stingers |
Sussex Saxons |
Game started 5 minutes late because we were again awaiting for the team to provide chain crew and ball boys. Field well marked but was very muddy by the end of the game and lines began to disappear. Both teams conducted themselves very professionally and are a credit to the league - just wish we could get these game management provide the assistance issues sorted David Knight #135 |
07/02/16 v Brighton Tsunami |
Kingston Cougars |
Well marked field missing 3 yard marks and with numbers at incorrect depth. Team areas marked with cones. Goals had been blown perpendicular to the end line by strong winds. Plaudits to game management for their simple and effective solution. Balls supplied were all under inflated. Problems with rectifying this and supplying officials' assistants lead to the KO being delayed by 10 minutes. Tim Ockendon #481 |
13/12/15 v Imperial Immortals |
LSBU Spartans |
Game kicked of at 13;40 and was reduced to 10 minute quarters, field marking disappeared fast as was 2nd game on field, crew persevered and it was a very hard fought game. Larry Rigby #269 |
31/01/16 v City Sentinels |
Sheffield Sabres |
Field of play 80 yards - no formal team areas marked but other marking utilised. Richard Whitby #133 |
13/12/15 v UCH Sharks |
Leicester Longhorns |
NFL hash marks, no team areas, no nine yard marks. Pete Thom #200 |
22/11/15 v Lincoln Colonials |
LJM Fury |
Lines are painted in yellow. Three-yard mark is on the two yard line. Team areas were marked with cones. Aminul Hassan #534 |
13/12/15 v Liverpool Raptors |
Gloucester Gladiators |
Gloucester changed the venue on Friday due to their normal pitch being waterlogged. The changing room for teams and officials was locked and the person with the key never showed. Therefore, the officials changed in the toilets at the ASDA across the road. Start of game delayed 40 minutes due to late arrival of Bournemouth. The field was 80 yards long, marked in red with no hashmarks on the sidelines. However full credit to Gloucester for getting the field looking as good as it did with the time they had. Mike LeFevre #341 |
06/12/15 v Bath Spa Bulldogs |
Westminster Dragons |
The crew was not notified of a change of venue. Four of the 5 crew arrived at the venue in good time to find that nobody was there. We contacted Operations and were able to discover the actual venue, East London Rugby Club, which is the likely future location of Westminster's home games. The Referee was being forced to travel to the game by rail replacement bus. He was unable to travel to the new venue in any kind of reasonable time, and the game was officiated by a crew of 4. The game kicked off an hour late after the crew made their way to the new venue. The field currently in use at East London RFC is not either of the three rugby pitches. (Crews should still change in the rugby club changing area.) It is a re-purposed soccer field located behind the five-a-side cage. It is 80 yards with soccer goalposts, which were appropriately padded. It was marked on the morning of the game to a creditably high standard. No team areas, and one sideline was slightly uneven. One of the end zones was considerably larger than the other, although both were of legal size. Both head coaches agreed to play all downs in the direction of the larger end zone and to play without field goals. The home team provided only two footballs. Chain crew extremely slow. The Westminster head coach told us that the team will be significantly revising its game management procedures before its next home game. Alan Dobson #308 |
24/01/16 v LSBU Spartans |
Durham Saints |
Prior to the game, Stirling were asked if they could change their white fade jerseys, due to the design, the numbers on the jerseys are difficult to see. The game was played without goal posts. With 8.56 remaining in the game, there was a lengthy delay as a Durham player had a severe injury, after 30 minutes, there were a few discussions taking place and Durham decided to call the game. Plaudits to Stirling for the assistance they provided when the player was down injured. Liam Wooton #478 |
31/01/16 v Derby Braves |
Bradford Bears |
90 yard field. Field markings faint due to heavy rain. No 9 yard marks, 3 yard marks or limit lines. Hash marks in the centre of the field were incomplete. Field surface was extremely wet and boggy due to 24 hours of heavy rain leading up to the game. This meant that the 2nd half was played in ankle deep mud. Plaudits to both sets of players for playing in atrocious weather with good humour and sportsmanship. David Hewitt #607 |
17/01/16 v York Centurions |
NTU Renegades |
The start was delayed by 45 minutes waiting for the medical cover to arrive so quarters were reduced to 10 minutes. With less than 5 minutes to play in the third quarter, there was a 50 minute delay to treat an injured player, on the first play after resuming the game there was another serious injury where a second ambulance was called. It was clear that the game would not re-start before sunset so with the agreement of both coaches the game was abandoned. Pete Thom #200 |
07/02/16 v Staffordshire Stallions |
Portsmouth Destroyers |
Field markings in yellow, otherwise markings in white. Field is 90 yards with line 5 yards in one of the ends zones with side line hash marks. Field surface extremely muddy in places. CK Nam #586 |
31/01/16 v BNU Buccaneers |
KCL Regents |
80-yard field marked in red with rugby markings in white. Main lines found to be >5 yards apart so the chains were definitive. Inbounds lines unevenly spaced and missing in places. No team area markings but partially marked out with cones. KO delayed by 10 minutes due to late arrival of medical cover. Tim Ockendon #481 |
31/01/16 v Surrey Stingers |
PLAY OF THE WEEK:
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New this week |
Play:
A's
ball, 4th and 11, on Team B's 43 yard line. Quarterback A17 takes
the snap and places the ball on the ground at the Team B 46 yard
line. A68 turns and then picks up the ball and advances to Team
B's 27 yard line. |
Last week |
Play: 4th and 10 at the Team A 40 yard line. Team A line up to punt, A23 is in illegal motion at the snap. A4's punt is blocked behind the line of scrimmage and never crosses the line of scrimmage, A4 then recovers the ball and advances is beyond the line of scrimmage to the Team A 42 yard line, where he punts the ball. The ball is then muffed by B20 at the Team B 20 yard line and recovered by A23 at the Team B 25 yard line. Ruling?
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MECHANICS:
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New this week |
Game
Situation:
1st and 10 for Team A on the Team A 20 yard line, a 4-man crew
are covering the game. Team A run a draw play and catch out the
entire defence as well as the two wing officials. Running back
A23 vanishes into the pile, and then emerges from the other side
with only Free Safety B20 chasing him down. A23 runs towards the
sideline and the Team B endzone, with the wing official on his
side of the field trailing behind. B20 tackles A23 in the field
of play very close to the pylon, and then out of bounds with the
pylon being displaced during the action. It is unclear if a
touchdown has been scored. What should the officials do? |
Last week |
Play:
Team A run a sweep to the left of their line. The Linejudge
is positioned on the wing to the right of the line of scrimmage,
he flags right tackle A75 for holding. When reporting the foul to
the Referee the Umpire points out that the hold probably didn't
effect the play, and that by rules interpretation shouldn't be a
foul. How should the crew resolve this situation? |
Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
2016 |
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February 16th (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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April 2nd and 3rd |
BAFRA Annual Convention & AGM |
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May 7th (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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July 23rd (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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19th November (Sat) |
BAFRA Board Meeting |
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 |
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