Issue 29/22 27th July 2022
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
TALKING TO OFFICIALS
There seems to have been a bit of an upswing recently in the number of cases of coaches or players penalised (and often disqualified) for speaking out of turn to officials.
There was a case just this week of a player who believed he knew the rules better than the officials - I'm not sure why anyone would want to pursue their point to the stage where they are sure to be disqualified, but occasionally they do. There is no reason why officials should tolerate excessive behaviour like this without applying the relevant rules on unsportsmanlike conduct.
Collectively we need to address this, most importantly by educating coaches and players about what they are and are not allowed to do. Not addressing it will lead to more officials leaving the game due to the abuse they receive. That's not what anyone wants to happen.
BAFA, BAFRA and BAFCA have combined to produce an updated version of the "Talking to Officials" guidance that was originally issued some years ago. The new version has been extended to cover some common situations and a few not-so-common ones (such as what's different when the game has a video judge).
The document also includes extracts from the rules, the Football Code, BAFCA's Code of Practice and some BAFCA educational material. The latter will be particularly of interest to officials who probably haven't seen it before or don't realise how importantly BAFCA regards this.
The guidance is mainly aimed at coaches, but officials should be aware of it and perhaps recommend it for reading the next time a coach decides to vent on you.
The document and an accompanying poster can be found at http://rules.bafra.info.
Any questions or comments, please let me know.
Jim Briggs - Chair, BAFA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
BAFRA CHARITY WEEKEND 2022
BAFRA’s Charity Weekend took place last weekend. The charity this year is the Teenage Cancer Trust. There is, should you wish to, still the opportunity to contribute some or all of your game fee to the charity or, if you have no game, to make a donation as you see fit.
There are a number of ways in which you may make your donation:
If you wish to donate all or part of your Game Fee to the BAFRA Charity, please ask your Referee to do so via the Crew Request for Payment form. Referees, when submitting the paperwork, if an official is donating, please fill the form out as normal then tick the relevant box and enter the amount to be donated.
If you wish to send a donation electronically send it to: Sort Code: 16-16-11 Account Number: 10255350
Please use Charity and your membership number as a reference.
Finally, you may send a cheque (made payable to BAFRA Limited) for the amount you wish to donate to:
BAFRA Finance, 30 Clover Ground, Bristol, BS8 4UH Please write your membership number and Charity on the rear of the cheque.
Over the years we have raised significant amounts for our chosen charities. Thank you in advance for your support of this worthy cause.
Richard Moger – General Secretary
LATEST BOARD MINUTES
The Board Minutes from the latest Board Meeting can be found in the Members’ Area of the website here:
https://www.bafra.info/members/minutes/eb20220716.pdf
Richard Moger – General Secretary
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Andrew Gibson | 88 | Birmingham Bulls | FGT | 2 | With 10:00 remaining in the second quarter, #88 was witnessed striking a prone opponent in the helmet. | 31st July 2022 v Halton Spartans | |
Christopher Green | 5 | Bristol Aztecs | TUF | 3 | With 4.16 left in the 3rd quarter Bristol were penalised for an illegal substitution. Number 5 stated that it was the wrong call. The referee explained the call to number 5 who then stated " I know the rules you don't", Number 5 was penalised for his first Unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Whilst the penalty was being announced number 5 continued to argue the penalty using a swear word and drawing attention to himself. At this point the player was penalised for a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul and was disqualified. | 31st July 2022 v London Blitz | |
Tom Andrews | 3 | Northumberland Vikings | TGT | 3 | With two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the player made forcible contact in the head/neck area of a player already in the grasp of an opponent. | 31st July 2022 v Inver | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Ian Hollinshead | 75 | Staffordshire Surge | FGT | 1 | #75 was seen to headbutt an opponent. | 7th August 2022 v Crewe Railroaders | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Birmingham Lions (U19) | Game was played at Sandwell's venue as part of a double-header. Amir Brooks #593 | Unknown |
Chester Romans | 90-yard field marked in blue with other sports' markings in contrasting colours. Short yard-lane extensions at the hash marks were faint. Three-yard marks marked at 2.5 yards. Perry Wayman #504 | Unknown |
Edinburgh Wolves | No Team and Coaches’ box lines, cones were used to mark these out. Due to issues with the number of jerseys available for Edinburgh, they had to wear two different sets of uniforms that were either white or grey but did not clash with Manchester's blue uniform tops. Shawn Sombati #15 | 31st July 2022 v Merseyside Nighthawks |
Essex Spartans | Chain crew were constantly moving when told to stay still. They were warned and were better in the second half. Larry Rigby #269 | 31st July 2022 v Sussex Thunder |
Hertfordshire Cheetahs | On the final play of the first half, one of the away team suffered a serious injury. Half time was taken as normal, however, the player was still down on the field when the game was due to resume. The second half was delayed by 30 minutes until the player could be moved off the field and the ambulance arrived to take over. Andrew Murrell #608 | 31st July 2022 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
Highland Stags | The field was very well marked out except for the absence of field numbers. Ian Sneddon #427 | Unknown |
Humber Warhawks | Well marked 100-yard field with ten-yard endzones. Robin Boyd #191 | Unknown |
Kent Exiles | The game was delayed for approximately 20 minutes due to the late arrival of the medical cover. Keith Wickham #423 | Unknown |
Kent Phoenix (U16) | Two excellently marked 50-yard fields with ten-yard end zones, complete with coaching lines and inbounds short yard line extensions. Only slight inaccuracy was the short yard-line extensions were slightly off-centre so one edge of the markings was used for spotting the ball. Changing room was a good size for a crew of six but had no facilities and was not lockable. Box operator changed on Field Two after first game. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
Lancashire Wolverines | 80-yard field with 12-yard endzones. No numbers or nine-yard marks, although there were other markings used for rugby league at six and 20-yards. Team and coaches’ areas were coned off at the 20-yard lines. Peter Roberts #87 | 31st July 2022 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Leicester Falcons | No team areas marked. No nine-yard marks but rugby markings were used as approximate replacements. Joel Pearson #405 | 30th July 2022 v Nottingham Caesars |
London Warriors | Upon arrival at the field at the field, the Olympians Head Coach informed the Referee that due to a number of unexpected player absences on the day, combined with COVID-19 absences during the week, he did not have enough players to safely start the game so the game was forfeited and abandoned. Tim Ockendon #481 | 31st July 2022 v Kent Exiles |
Nottingham Caesars | 80-yard field. Team areas marked to the 10-yard lines. No limit lines. Inbound marks and sideline short yard-line extensions were unevenly spaced. Down box broke on two occasions. Changing rooms not lockable. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | Unknown |
Rushmoor Knights | 90-yard field with blue markings. There were white marks for a running pitch. Crew had to lengthen chain as it was too short. Viktor Janvari #63 | Unknown |
Sandwell Steelers | Official's changing room is big enough for a crew of five, but was filled with various items of furniture, toys, and other junk. It had no private toilet or shower. 90-yard field with seven-yard endzones. No limit lines or nine-yard marks. Field markings were in black and noticeably faded, but had become "burnt" into the grass over time. Amir Brooks #593 | Unknown |
Sheffield Giants | Due to the slightly late arrival of the visiting team, the kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes with the mutual agreement of both Head Coaches. The markings were black, except the end line which was marked in white. There were other white field markings within 4 feet of the end zones lines. There were a number of other markings for other sports in a variety of colours. There were no team areas marked. At one end of the field there was a forest that no-one had access to, as a result a number of balls went into the area, while some balls were replaced, we eventually ended the game with just one legal football. One ball person was replaced at half-time. Two changing rooms for the officials were provided, but each of these was only large enough for one person. Ben Griffiths #228 | Unknown |
Solent Thrashers | Cross bar overhangs the end zone. Some lines were not completely straights. David Knight #135 | Unknown |
South East Squadron | There was only one goal available. There were yellow and white lines running parallel up the length of the field. No 9yd markings or numbers. Changing room was not lockable | Unknown |
Torbay Trojans | 90-yard field. Large changing room with refreshments. 12 minute quarters agreed with both head coaches. Home team had only 16 players in the squad. Richard Madge #485 | Unknown |
Yorkshire Rams | Reasonably well-marked 100-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Team areas marked between the 25-yard lines. Chain set broke on one occasion requiring repair. Two members of the chain crew were replaced at half time. David Hewitt #607 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Aberdeen Roughnecks | Distance between the 40-yard and 45-yard lines (on each side of midfield) was just over four yards. Short yard-line extensions and inbound lines did not always line up. Team areas were not extended to 20-yard lines but to the 25-yard lines. Shawn Sombati #15 | 7th August 2022 v Dunfermline Kings |
Birmingham Bulls | Field marked with red lines. Coaches' and team areas less than six and 12 feet from the sidelines respectively. Mike Lefevre #341 | 31st July 2022 v Halton Spartans |
Bristol Apache | Limit lines not marked at correct distance. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 7th August 2022 v Somerset Wyverns |
Cornwall Monarchs | Well marked 80-yard field. Changing rooms, with showers, are in college sports facility changing rooms. Personal property was placed in an official’s car as changing area was not locked. Monarchs pay all fees by cash after the game. Francis Bevan #474 | 7th August 2022 v Torbay Trojans |
Crewe Railroaders | To preserve the health of players, coaches, and officials, working on medical advice, additional water breaks were taken during the game and the half time interval extended to allow officials and down box operator to be medically asessed and cleared to resume duties. With air temperature approaching 40 degrees, and ground temperature exceeding 40 degrees, second half quarters were shortened to 12 minutes with agreement of both head coaches. The officials wish to thank the medical team for their proactive attitude to keep the officials well during the game, and Crewe's sideline for providing drinks and rehydration. Andrew Lovell #559 | 7th August 2022 v Staffordshire Surge |
Darlington Steam | Very well marked 100-yard field. No limit lines. Team areas marked between the 25-yard lines. The entire chain crew were replaced at half time, along with one of the ball persons. David Hewitt #607 | 7th August 2022 v DC Presidents |
East Kent Mavericks | Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes due to the late cancellation by the medic and the away team arriving late. Both coaches agreed to shorten quarters to 12 minutes due to the late start and the need to vacate the field by 6 PM. Darren Urben #438 | 7th August 2022 v SE Squadron |
Gateshead Senators | Very well marked 100-yard field. Team areas marked between the 25-yard lines. No limit lines. Submitted by David Hewitt #607 | 7th August 2022 v Knottingley Raiders |
Glasgow Tigers | Although there were no numbers on the field, it was well marked out with good visibility. Ian Sneddon #427 | 31st July 2022 v Yorkshire Rams |
London Blitz | Faintly marked 100-yard field in white with no limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. Main yard lines were all present but not always straight. Short yard line extensions at the side lines and the hash marks often did not line up and were not always one-yard apart. Goals too wide. Field surface was uneven and several trip hazards were repaired by Game Management prior to kickoff. Changing room had no facilities and was not lockable so officials' kit was locked in a separate room. Tim Ockendon #481 | 31st July 2022 v Bristol Aztecs |
Manchester Titans | 80-yard field. One member of the chain crew was replaced after walking off without explanation. David Hewitt #607 | 31st July 2022 v Sandwell Steelers |
Manchester Titans (U19) | Well marked 80-yard field. Several changes of ball persons during the game for various reasons. Thanks to Manchester game day management for repairing a bean bag for the Line Judge. David Hewitt #607 | 31st July 2022 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Northumberland Vikings | 90-yard field marked in yellow. There were no three-yard marks. One member of the chain crew was changed at halftime. Lee Taylor #183 | 31st July 2022 v Inverclyde Goliaths |
South Lincolnshire Lightning | Changing room was a storage room. 90-yard field with ten-yard end zones. Robin Boyd #191 | 7th August 2022 v Doncaster Mustangs |
Tamworth Phoenix | Lines faint but visible. Designated balls are used for field goals towards the tree end as they tend to get lost. Game suspended for six minutes to treat an Edinburgh player with a dislocated shoulder. Brian Yates #29 | 31st July 2022 v Tamworth Phoenix |
Worcestershire Black Knights | Well marked field as well as a Referee's microphone and announcer. Changing rooms were not lockable so officials' belongings stored in cars. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 31st July 2022 v Northants Knights |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: During a long kickoff return, the head coach of the kicking team comes onto the field of play, vigorously and angrily protesting that there should have been a flag for holding by the receiving team during the return.
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Last week | Play: The home team is responsible for game management and provides a suitable professional practitioner to meet the requirements of Rule 13-1-2. The away team also provides a professional practitioner. Dur ing the game, an away-team player leaves the field to undergo concussion assessment, and is assessed by both professional practitioners. After assessing the play the practitioners disagree: the away-team practitioner believes that he/she is not concussed; the home-team practitioner believes he/she is concussed.
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: On a five man crew, when a running play goes to the opposite side of the field, what should a Wing Official do?
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Last week | Game Situation: Prior to kick-off; on a 5 man crew which official is responsible for briefing the medical personnel on what signals are to be used to summon them onto the field. Answer: The Back Judge (M8.2.10.c) |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Roger Goodgroves | ||
Recruitment | Susannah Taylor | Training | James Ford-Bannister | ||
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. |
