Issue 07/19 28th Feb 2019
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BAFRA ANNUAL CONVENTION – SAT 6th and SUN 7th APRIL 2019
Week 3 Update
Registration figures are still rising well, and we hope we can reach the 100 mark again this year. For monthly paid members, it is worth noting that this weekend will be the only month end before cut off date for payment, so if you haven’t already registered this might be the best time to organize registration and payment.
New Members
If you are a new member please don’t feel that this event is not for you. Not only are all members welcome, but also groups and sessions are designed to work for everyone. The Convention offers a great opportunity to meet other officials from around the country, both within groups and socially.
Attendees
The following 66 members have registered to attend 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.
Francis Bevan, Jim Briggs, Jed Brookes-Lewis, Roger Brown, Derek Burridge, Alan Christopher, Martin Cockerill, Graham Coleman, Alisha Darkins, Ian Davies, Alan Dobson, Steve Egan, Tim Fisher, James Ford-Bannister, Ben Gadsby, Gordon Galloway, Kenny Glover, Roger Goodgroves, Jack Hallinan, Krister Halvorsen, David Hewitt, Dan Holt, Heather Horner, Viktor Janvari, Albert Lambert, Bill LeMonnier, Steve Leonard, Tzvi Lindeman, Andrew Lovell, Richard Madge, Julian Mallia, Ollie Maskell, Jason Mead, Richard Moger, Russell Newton, Mark Niven, Davie Parsons, Peter Parsons, Euan Paterson, Jack Pearce, Austin Pickles, Michael Prentice, Henry Richardson, Mike Roberts, Graham Smith, Ian Sneddon, Shawn Sombati, Leanne Spencer, Darran Sterling, Paul Sutton, Andrew Swift, Lee Taylor, Susannah Taylor, Pete Thom, Frank Thomson, Steve Tonkinson, Tim Vickers, Ian Wainwright, Perry Wayman, Mark Wilson, Lee Wood, Mike Woolnough, Liam Wooton, Dean Wright, Brian Yates, Stuart Young.
Guest Speaker
We have managed to bring back Bill Le Monnier for what is likely to be a final visit. He is not only very knowledgeable, but also a very popular presenter. Although Bill is currently best known as ESPN Rules Analyst, he previously had a stellar career in the Big Ten Conference, including 17 Post Season Bowl Games. He also has more than 12 years experience in training and motivational/public speaking, in more than 10 countries; and he received the 2013 Gold Whistle Award recognizing contributions beyond sports officiating. A full bio will be released separately.
Location
The Convention will be held at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre, Yarnfield Lane, Yarnfield, Staffordshire, ST15 0NL. Yarnfield Park is a leading Training and Conference centre in the heart of the UK. I would recommend that you look over the facility on their website where you can also find details of the location and directions: www.yarnfieldpark.com.
Registration
To register to attend the Convention, you need to send an email to Krister Halvorsen at convention@bafra.info. Again, we will be making up personalised Convention Packs, ID Badges, Presentation handouts, Programme of Events, Game Day Paperwork, etc. As such you do need to pre-register.
Accommodation
In our efforts to make the Convention more accessible to everyone, this year we have again negotiated excellent rates for accommodation which are detailed below. In addition, the BAFRA Board has agreed to provide some funding to keep down the costs. The rates indicated are per room and include all discounts and a full breakfast.
Twin Room: £50.00 per night (So if you share with someone it will only cost you £25.00 per night)
Single Room: £45.00 per night
Remember, to take advantage of the above rates you must book your room with Krister at convention@bafra.info.
Important Information required
When you send your email to Krister, please provide the following information:
Payment
Payment for Convention rooms is due by 22rd March. Payment can be made either electronically or by cheque. Cheques should be for the full amount, made payable to BAFRA Ltd and sent to Stuart Tabberer, 3.07 Royal Parade, Elmdale Road, Bristol, Avon, BS8 1SZ.
If paying electronically, please ensure your payment reference is your full name and BAFRA number e.g. “Roger Brown 469” and use the Account Number 10255350, sort code 16-16-11, BAFRA Ltd, RBS, Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
It is appreciated that some people may wish to spread the cost and make multiple payments over the weeks leading up to 23rd March. Please use the same instructions as above. If you wish to make multiple payments, then you must make the payments electronically and not by cheque
Please let us know how you wish to pay by including this information in your email to Krister at convention@bafra.info when you register.
Unfortunately, payment for the Convention cannot be taken from Game Fees. The administration work involved is far too time consuming and does not fit well with our electronic process of paying Games Fees by direct transfer to your bank account.
Friday Night
Again, last year many attendees stayed on the Friday night to save an early rise and travel on the Saturday morning. As such the above rates are available for both the Friday and Saturday nights. As the event promises to be our biggest and best for a while, I would recommend booking your room as early as possible. You can do this at the same time you register to attend.
Ian Sneddon - Convention Delivery Team
Annual General Meeting of BAFRA Limited
As always, the Annual General Meeting of BAFRA Limited will be held at 5:00pm on the Saturday of the Convention, 6th April. It is open to all members. A full agenda will be circulated to members nearer the time. Part of the AGM is the election of directors for the Company. This year, four directors are standing down having completed their term of office: Director of Finance, Director of Operations, Director of Recruitment and Director without Portfolio #2.
These positions are open to all qualified members. Nomination forms have been circulated and should be returned in accordance with the instructions on the form
The present incumbents have notified that they will be seeking re-election for the positions of Director of Finance and Director without Portfolio #2 but the Directors of Operations and Recruitment will be standing down when their term of office expires at the end of the AGM.
The Directors encourage all qualified members to consider applying for one of the above four positions. If you are considering standing and would like more information about what is involved, please contact me or, if you prefer, another director for more details. Thank you to the members who have taken the time and trouble to find out more details about the roles so far.
As of 5:00pm on Tuesday 26th February, the following nominations have been received:
Director of Finance:
Roger Brown #469; Nominated by David Knight #135; Seconded by Philip Hume #52.
Director of Operations:
No nominations yet received
Director of Recruitment:
Oliver Maskell #221; Nominated by Roger Brown #469; Seconded by Lee Taylor #183
Director without Portfolio #2
No nominations yet received
Paul Sutton – General Secretary
secretary@bafra.info
2019 UNIVERSITY (BUCS) BOWL GAME
The BAFRA Selection Committee is pleased to announce the following crew for the 2019 BUCS Bowl Game:
Referee | Brian Yates |
Umpire | David Parsons |
Head Linesman | Graham Coleman |
Line Judge | Tim Ockendon |
Back Judge | Henry Richardson |
Side Judge | Euan Paterson |
Field Judge | Amir Brooks |
This Final will be played on Sunday 31st March 2019. Please join with the BAFRA Selection Committee in congratulating these officials on their appointments. Reserves for this game will be announced later.
This game will be preceded by the Tier 1 Final. Although this is a National Final it is not a Bowl Game and officials will be assigned shortly via Arbiter. As will the two Regional Finals for Division 2.
In addition to these games on this date there are a number of pre-season Senior League games and University Varsity games so please ensure your availability on Arbiter is up to date. In addition the Senior League starts on 14th April with a full schedule of 21 games.
Richard Vernon - Director of Operations
APPLICATIONS FOR BAFRA SELECTION COMMITTEE
Applications are invited from qualified BAFRA members who would like to work on this important committee. It’s role include the selection of officials for all UK Bowl Games, NFL Chain Crews, Officials Of The Year Awards as well as IFAF and Elite Panel.
Terms of reference and full details of the roles and responsibilities are on the website in the Members Handbook – 6.Scheduling and Selection.
In accordance with the rules of this committee two places are vacated every year and as a result two places will shortly be available. Please submit an Expression of Interest to me by no later than 10pm on Sunday 31st March 2019.
If anyone is considering applying who has not served previously on a BAFRA Committee, you are welcome to contact me for an informal discussion about the role and requirements.
Richard Vernon - Director of Operations
QUALIFIED
Congratulations to Dave Moore on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified.
Thanks to Richard Madge and all those who are helping with Dave's training.
Tzvi Lindeman - Director of Training
COACHING CARDS
All cards filled in are available to view on the BAFRA website.
Log in to the members area, click on your name at the top, the drop-down menu will have coaches cards as an option - click on that to view the cards for your games.
Tzvi Lindeman - Director of Training
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Ahmed Mustafa | 68 | Hertfordshire Hurricanes | TUF | 3 | The player pushed an opponent after the play which lead to a reaction and a melee | 23rd Feb 2019 v Birmingham Lions* *Hertfordshire Hurricanes have played two games between the publication of the previous edition of Newsflash and this edition. Mr. Mustafa was disqualified from the first of these two games. | |
Eseoluwa Akin-Aina | 45 | Hertfordshire Hurricanes | FPF | 2 | With approximately 9 minutes remaining in the second quarter, after the play was over, a scuffle began involving multiple players of both teams. 45, who was noticeably irked, aggressively grasped an opponent's facemask and displayed an intent to punish by yanking strongly in the direction of the ground. | 3rd March 2019 vs University of Nottingham* *Hertfordshire Hurricanes have played two games between the publication of the previous edition of Newsflash and this edition. Mr. Akin-Aina was disqualified from the second of these two games. | |
Morgan Stuart-Bailey | 55 | Stirling Clansmen | FPF | 3 | With 3.34 left in the 3rd Quarter after the play well away from the ball 55 committed a dead ball FPF forcibly knocking an opposing player to the ground and was then seen gesturing over the prone opponent | 3rd March 2019 vs UWE Bullets | |
Chase Warren | 44 | Imperial Immortals | TGT | 2 | The player was the second to join in a tackle, but made forcible contact with the crown of his helmet. | Unknown *Mr Warren is due to serve his suspension in the next game he is registered to play in. This is either the next regular season game for Imperial Immortals or the first regular season game of a Senior/Junior team if he registers for a Senior/Junior team. | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Brunel Burners | NFL hash marks, no numbers, no limit lines. Pete Thom #200 | 3rd March 2019 vs Bath Killer Bees |
Newcastle Raiders | Played one way, parts of the field have been patched up. Liam Wooton #478 | 3rd March 2019 vs NTU Renegades |
Sheffield Hallam Warriors | 80 yard field. No 3 or 9 yard marks or numbers. Team areas were not marked out. Coaching and players lines were there albeit by using other sports lines as a substitute. The game balls were all fairly old, although still usable. The player responsible for the usual game balls had "left them at home ". David Hewitt #607 | 3rd March 2019 vs Northumbria Mustangs |
Birmingham Lions | Faded black field markings hard to see, especially when flood lit. Team areas marked with cones. Euan Paterson #165 | Unknown |
Brighton Panthers | 100 yard 3G field, some of the metal bars are a bit too close, but are hidden under foam. Changing rooms are adequate, but the opening codes are known, so we stored our valuables in the car. Viktor Janvari #63 | Unknown |
Canterbury Chargers | Lines are very faint. Chain crew were of poor quality and several members had to be replaced at half time. Balls very worn and will be replaced before next season. Changing room not lockable. Ben Gadsby #564 | Unknown |
Cardiff Cobras | No Coaches or Team Area markings on either side line causing Coaches/Players to 'drift' too far forward into officials work area or downfield, on occasion. Two changes to Ball Persons due to players being used co-opted, as there was no-one else readily available. Albert Lambert Jnr #461 | Unknown |
Exeter Demons | Exeter were unable to host the game, so the visiting team (Southampton) hosted the game. Oliver Maskell #221 | Unknown |
KCL Regents | Marked team/coaching areas extend to the 20 yard lines. One ball person struggled to remain impartial and game management found an alternative at half time. Steven Leonard #370 | Unknown |
NTU Renegades | Ball boys and chain crew not supplied until after schedule kick-off time. Richard Whitby #136 | Unknown |
Oxford Lancers | This was the rearranged game from 1st Feb 2019, with the game taking place at the Oxford Saints usual home ground Tilsley Park. There were no 3 yard marks in the middle of the pitch. Coaching, team area and limit lines were all missing. There was one change of ball person at half time. Richard Moger #472 | Unknown |
Plymouth Blitz | 90 yard field on 3G. Goal post attached to soccer posts.No limit lines.No 9yard lines. Richard Madge #485 | Unknown |
Solent Redhawks | Cross bar on both goals not in line with the endline - with 10.25 left in the second quarter there was a 10 minute delay for an injured player David Knight #135 | Unknown |
QMBL Vipers | Proximity of a major A-Road to the field meant that we used one-goal mechanics after the first PAT cleared the boundary fence. Team Areas marked with cones; player and coaching box lines both missing. No limit lines or other barrier prevented spectators from being too close to the field on occasion. Changing room has no private shower or toilet facilities. Chain crew and a ball person changed at half time. Phil Clarke #262 | Unknown |
Hull Sharks | 90 yard field, no limit lines, no team areas. Daniel Holt #371 | Unknown |
UCLan Rams | Well marked 100 yard field. Lines were painted in blue with other sports markings in different colours. Team areas were absent as were coaching and players lines. David Hewitt #607 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Coventry Jets | Field marked in red, the harsh marks disappeared in the mud early in the game meaning we had to rely on the pylons to help spot the ball. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 3rd March 2019 vs UCLAN Rams |
Kent Falcons | This game kicked of 35 minutes late, following the late arrival of officials, as this was the second game of a double header. Ben Gadsby #564 | 3rd March 2019 vs Exeter Demons |
University of Nottingham | Field well marked but in yellow which is now fading, Goal posts are attached to the fence. Ian Wainwright #567 | 3rd March 2019 vs Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
UWE Bullets | Field marked in black and both goal lines had a section where they were very faded to the point of being difficult to see from certain angles. While there was a team area line marked, there was no team area marked behind it. There were no limit lines. There was one change of ball person in the first half. Peter Parsons #321 | 3rd March 2019 vs Stirling Clansmen |
Edinburgh Predators | Chain crew was changed at half time, the second half kick off was delayed to allow time for Head Linesman to brief new crew. Gordon Galloway #7 | 3rd Feb 2019 v Staffordshire Stallions |
Worcester Royals | Hash marks were marked to NFL/Post width, Away Team Head Coach requested that College hash marks be used, due to their play calling being affected by lateral ball position so cones outside End-line used to indicate correct width. 1 Endzone was 10.5 yds & other was 9 yds; Top of numbers at 10.5 yds. Officials forced to arrive dressed as 'Team' Changing Rooms over 200 yards away and Storage Room/Toilet Block was only area available. Officials informed: #69 Jon Mannion - Taken out of game at half time due Medical Cover suspecting that he had 'Concussion-like Symptoms'. Albert Lambert Jnr #461 | 3rd March 2019 v UEL Phoenix |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: Quarterback A10 sprints toward a sideline and is outside the tackle box. Under pressure he throws a forward pass that is batted down by a defensive lineman and lands behind the neutral zone.
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Last week | 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?
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: 4th and 7 from Team A’s 15-yard line near the end of the 1st quarter. Team A line up to punt facing a very strong headwind with punter A8 standing on the Team A goal line. The long snap is wayward and the ball rolls into the end zone where it stops. B55 is moving to recover the ball when A8 holds B55 in the end zone. B98 muffs the ball causing it to roll across the end line. Time expires in the 1st quarter during the down. A8 is guilty of holding. As the hold occurred in the end zone, should the officials should regard enforcement of the penalty as 'obvious'?
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Last week | Game Situation: Upon arrival at the ground, the officials note that there are only goal posts at one end of the field. How should the game proceed?
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Date | Event | Contact for details |
April 6th - 7th (Sat-Sun) | BAFRA Convention | |
BAFRA Board Meeting | ||
BAFRA Board Meeting | ||
November 16th (Sat) | BAFRA Board Meeting |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Paul Sutton | ||
Finance | Roger Brown | Operations | Richard Vernon | ||
Recruitment | Lee Taylor | Training | Tzvi Lindeman | ||
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. |
