Issue 08/19 6th March 2019
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BAFRA ANNUAL CONVENTION – SAT 6th and SUN 7th APRIL 2019
Week 4 Update
Registration figures are getting closer to the 100 mark, but there are still a few ‘regular’ attendees yet to be added to the list. Remember that choice of bedrooms is limited this year, so best to ensure you get the type of room that will suit you. You still have until 22nd March to pay for the room.
Award night
Saturday night will feature our awards ceremony again this year, and members’ evening meal will be free of charge.
Attendees
The following 78 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, Phil Clarke, 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, Ben Griffiths, Jack Hallinan, Krister Halvorsen, David Hewitt, Dan Holt, Heather Horner, Philip Hume, Viktor Janvari, Chris Jarvis, Albert Lambert, Bill LeMonnier, Steve Leonard, Tzvi Lindeman, Andrew Lovell, Richard Madge, Julian Mallia, Ollie Maskell, Ali May, Jason Mead, Richard Moger, Russell Newton, Mark Niven, Dave Norton, Tim Ockendon, Peter Parsons, Davie Parsons, Euan Paterson, Jack Pearce, Austin Pickles, Michael Prentice, Steve Rains, Henry Richardson, Mike Roberts, Graham Smith, Ian Sneddon, Shawn Sombati, Leanne Spencer, James Statham, Darran Sterling, Paul Sutton, Andrew Swift, Stuart Tabberer, Susannah Taylor, Lee Taylor, Pete Thom, Frank Thomson, Steve Tonkinson, Tim Vickers, Ian Wainwright, Perry Wayman, Keith Wickham, Mark Wilson, Lee Wood, Mike Woolnough, Liam Wooton, Dean Wright, Brian Yates, Stuart Young, Henry 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.
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 5th March, 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:
Roger Goodgroves #602; Nominated by Tzvi Lindeman #381; Seconded by Richard Vernon #103
Krister Halvorsen #217; Nominated by Dave Norton #1; Seconded by Jason Mead #172
Director of Recruitment:
Oliver Maskell #221; Nominated by Roger Brown #469; Seconded by Lee Taylor #183
Susannah Taylor #335; Nominated by Steve Leonard #370; Seconded by Jed Brookes-Lewis #395
Director without Portfolio #2
Krister Halvorsen #217; Nominated by Dave Norton #1; Seconded by Jason Mead #172
Steve Tonkinson #99; Nominated by James Ford-Bannister #479; Seconded by Roger Brown #469
Please remember that nominations close at 5:00pm on 9th March 2019. The final list of nominees will be in next week’s Newsflash.
Paul Sutton – General Secretary
RETIREMENT OF BAFRA NUMBER 139
Following a proposal from the Director Without Portfolio #2, it was unanimously agreed at the recent BAFRA Board meeting in London to retire #139, the number of the late Norman Cox. A memorial note has been added to the website.
His number joins those of Tom Diamond #437, Bernard Bradley #316, Phil Cottier #141, Pete Johnson #166 and Colin Payne #3 (http://www.bafra.info/info/handbook/retired.php).
Norman's cremation service in February was very well attended by around 100 of his family, friends, work colleagues and representation from our sport. The Colchester Gladiators sent two senior representatives who wore club colours to honour the many times Norman had officiated their games. Five current and former members were in attendance on behalf of BAFRA (former President Jim Briggs #31, Deputy President Steve Tonkinson #99, Director of Operations Richard Vernon #103, Graham Smith #149 and former member Kara Laing #299.
Steve Tonkinson - Director Without Portfolio #2
BAFRA Charity 2019
The charity selected in memory of Norman Cox by his family was Pancreatic Cancer UK. The directors have decided that they would like to nominate this charity to be the BAFRA charity this year and dedicate it to Norman’s memory. However, we are aware that the choice of the charity is a matter for the members so if anyone else wishes to nominate a charity they should send the details to me by 16th March. Should there be any further nominations there will, as usual, be a vote of the membership on the first day of the Convention. Assuming no other nominations are received, Pancreatic Cancer UK will become BAFRA’s charity for 2019.
Paul Sutton – General Secretary
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 section 5 - 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
operations@bafra.info
AUDIO EXAM
There are officials who have a problem with taking a written exam, to facilitate this we are preparing an audio version. If you would like to receive this audio version, please let me know by Friday March 29. and we will arrange for you to receive it at the start of the exam period.
Tzvi Lindeman - Director of Training
QUALIFIED
Congratulations to Nathan Robson on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified.
Thanks to Adrian Miller and all those who are helping with Nathan's training.
Tzvi Lindeman - Director of Training
DIRECTOR AWAY
Please note that I will be away on holiday from 9th March until 18th March. I will have limited internet access to monitor things.
Tzvi Lindeman - Director of Training
DISQUALIFICATION CLARIFICATION
Last week’s Newsflash reported that Mr Mustafa was disqualified while playing for Hertfordshire Hurricanes. It has emerged that this was incorrect, he was disqualified while playing for Swansea Titans. Mr Mustafa served his suspension on Sunday 24th February during Swansea’s game against UWE Bullets
Newsflash Editor
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Zac Newton | 33 | Essex Blades | FGT | 3 | As time expired in the 3rd quarter after the player was tackled he was seen to kick out at the opponent's chest with his studs whilst still on the floor. | 17th March 2019 v Unknown Opponent (result of game between Bournemouth and UCL, 10th March 2019) | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
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. | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bournemouth Bobcats | Game was cancelled due to weather and not notified until after one official had left for the game. Julian Mallia #336 | 10th Mar 2019 v UCL Emperors |
Sheffield Hallam Warriors | Field of play was only 80 yards in length. American Football Markings were in red and there were field markings for a number of different sports in a variety of colours. The field markings were beginning to fade towards the end of the game and will need remarking before the next game at this venue. There were no coaching lines or team area markings. No towels were provided despite conditions warranting towels. The changing rooms were not lockable. Prior to kick off there was some discussion about the eligibility of two Northumbria players to play in the game. Ben Griffiths #228 | 10th Mar 2019 v NTU Renegades |
Southampton Stags | Goals are behind the end line tied to a fence. With 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter a Surrey player, who was down with an injury, was picked up by an assistant coach and carried from the field before the official medical cover had finished their assessment. When the Head Coach was approached about the incident and told that this was unacceptable his response was "I do not care, I just want the game over" David Knight #135 | 10th Mar 2019 v Exeter Demons |
Leeds Gryphons | No three yard marks and the blue markings were hard to see in the middle of the field. Hash marks were NFL-width. Tim Vickers #129 | 17th Mar 2019 v Staffordshire Stallions |
Swansea Titans | Heavy rain had left the field markings rather faint. Amir Brooks #593 | 17th Mar 2019 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
UWE Bullets | UWE now play at a new venue, which is well a marked field. A section of the goal line at one end is faint, while there are team areas marked but these are not extended. There are no limit lines and there are other sports markings on the field in a variety of colours. Richard Moger #472 | 17th Mar 2019 v Leeds Beckett Carnegie |
Worcester Royals | NFL width hash marks present. Officials changed in toilet block near sideline that was open for public use during the game. Changing rooms without electricity so no lighting. As always - one crossbar was bent slightly downwards and one slightly upwards. Krister Halvorsen #217 | 17th Mar 2019 v Royal Holloway Bears |
Brunel Burners | Team areas marked to the 20 instead of the 25. Correct width hash marks had been painted this week, although the NFL width hash marks reported in the prior newsflash were still visible. Steven Leonard #370 | Unknown |
Coventry Jets | Game was played on University of Warwick's grass field due to Coventry's usual field being unavailable. 100 yard field, generally well marked although hash marks were slightly wider than regulation - cones were placed at end lines to assist. Despite the muddy conditions, the markings held up well. Andrew Murrell #608 | Unknown |
Kent Falcons | Well marked 90-yard field in red with other sport markings in white, yellow and blue. No limit lines, numbers or 9-yard marks. Rugby markings approximated for team area line and other sideline markings were done with cones. Changing room small but well appointed and lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
Newcastle Raiders | Due to ongoing historical issues, the game was played one way. This is due to no padding on a wall that is less than 6 feet from the end line. The game was played in great spirit and sportsmanship - this was a good advert for the college game. Gordon Galloway #7 | Unknown |
Nottingham Outlaws | Well marked but now faded. Goals attached to perimeter fence Brian Yates #29 | Unknown |
RHUL Bears | 100 yard grass field. It was very muddy and slippery, but luckily we had no injuries from this. #2 of the RHUL side was still able to play, as there is still no decision from the Disciplinary Committee about his appeal. Viktor Janvari #63 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: On a try attempt at Team B's 3 yard line, B1 intercepts Team A's legal forward pass and runs it to midfield. During the run back after the interception, B2 clips in the Team B end zone. Ruling?
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Last 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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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: What are the 3 ways to mark a dead ball spot (and their order of desirability)?
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Last 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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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. |
