Issue 03/23 28th January 2023
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Nominations are now open for the Official of the Year award for the year just past (2022). Any member may nominate any other member for the award. The principal guidelines are listed below:
Nominations should be sent to me by 31st January and should include your reasons for nominating the individual. If you have any queries before making your nomination, please contact me. The successful nominee will receive their award at the awards dinner on the Saturday of the Convention.
Richard Moger – General Secretary
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
This is an advance notice regarding the election to the BAFRA Limited Board of Directors which will take place at the AGM on Saturday 1st April at the Convention.
Four posts due for election this year:
In the case of three of the posts, the present incumbents have indicated that they will be seeking re-election. The Director of Operations is still considering whether to seek re-election.
Formal notification and requests for nominations for all four posts will be circulated in mid-February in accordance with our Regulations. However, please consider if you would wish to stand for any of the four posts and feel free to contact me (or any other director) about what the posts entail so that you are in a position to make an informed decision when nominations open
Richard Moger – General Secretary
BUCS FINALS - ARBITER AVAILABILITY
BUCS Premier and Division 1 finals will be played on TUESDAY, March 21st.
Normally we don't ask you to maintain blocks on Arbiter for mid-week dates, however, please update your blocks for Tuesday, March 21st as the selection committee will be meeting shortly to decide the crews for the finals and need to know who is available and who isn't, before making a selection..
Roger Goodgroves - Director of Operations
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE
A Surrey Stingers player was disqualified from their game on 22nd January. However the disqualification has been cancelled after the calling official withdrew their report. The procedure for doing this is in BAFA Regulation 5.2.4 and is intended for use in rare cases when you see a video of the incident and realise you got it wrong. If that is ever the case, simply email me with the details, a copy of the video (or where to find it) and details of what the video shows and how that differs from your original report.
Ben Griffiths – BAFA Disciplinary Officer
discipline@britishamericanfootball.org
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Daniel Ogunsanya | 50 | DMU Lions | TUF | 4 | In the third quarter, #50 was observed to shove an opposing player during an altercation after a play. Late in the fourth quarter, #50 was heard using abusive language towards an opposing coach resulting in a second UC. | 29th January 2022 v Cambridge Pythons | |
Joe Christian | 55 | SGS Pride | FUC | 4 | With 1:30 remaining the fourth quarter, there was a scuffle after a tackle on the running back UWE #7. In retaliation to the actions of #7, #55 was observed to grab #7s facemask and slam his head into the ground. He maintained grip of the facemask pulling it, twisting it, and restricting player movement until #7 was able to break away. | 29th January 2022 v Cardiff Cobras | |
Jax Crawford | 7 | UWE Bullets | FUC | 4 | With 1:30 remaining the fourth quarter, after being tackled, #7 reached out and grabbed SGS #55 to prevent him from getting up. #7 grabbed hold of #55s facemask, and, using his weight, jammed his head into the ground | Mr Crawford is suspended from the next Competitive game that UWE play. Currently that remains to be Confirmed | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bangor Muddogs | No numbers, nine-yard marks or limit lines. Bangor were unable to provide a full quota of officials's assistants and the game was only able to proceed thanks to York supplying one member of the chain crew. Otherwise, the game was played in the best of spirits by both teams. Peter Roberts #87 | Unknown |
Brighton Panthers | 100-yard artificial field marked in blue. Lines were faint and difficult to see, even in close proximity. They will need remarking as soon as possible. No numbers but nine-yard marks present. Team areas marked with cones. Collapsable soccer goals are mounted to the field enclosure close to the end line so required padding to protect against any potential collision. Changing rooms are too small for a crew of five but the team were able to open up a second room. James Ford-Bannister #479 | Unknown |
Canterbury Chargers | Both teams turned up with only red jerseys, partly due to administrative issues stemming from the change of management at the home club. KCL were in a consistent bright red jersey, with Canterbury in a mix of EKM and Canterbury dark red jerseys. The teams also had differently coloured lowers. With the agreement of all coaches and officials the game went ahead. The Canterbury head coach stated that this should not be an issue for future matches this season. Ball Persons were only presented at kickoff and there were multiple changes through the game on the home team sideline, however they were generally okay. Daniel Clarke #311 | Unknown |
Edinburgh Napier Knights | Field markings were faint. Team areas marked by cones. Gordon Galloway #7 | 29th January 2023 v Aberdeen |
Edinburgh Predators | Field markings were faint. The game kicked off at 4pm so floodlights were on and did not help with the field markings. Team areas marked by cones. Gordon Galloway #7 | 4th February 2023 v Leeds Gryphons |
Hertfordshire Hurricanes | Field marking are present but faint. No limit lines and team areas marked with cones. Home team were penalised a delay of game at start of second half due to missing chain crew members, and then providing a new person as a replacement. Andrew Murrell #608 | Unknown |
Imperial Immortals | On attending at the ground (with both the home and away team) the groundsman decided the field was not playable and the game could not proceed. Keith Wickham #423 | Unknown |
Lincoln Colonials | Approximately 45 minutes prior to kick-off, it came to light that the medical crew present did not meet the minimum medical criteria. An hour after the scheduled kick-off time, the home team informed us that they could not meet the minimum medical requirement. Therefore, the game did not commence. The field was marked in very faint yellow and will need re-marking before the next game at this venue. There were no numbers or nine-yard marks. The Coaching lines were marked between the 25-yard lines and there were no Team area markings. Two officials changing rooms were provided but they were only big enough for one person each and did not have heating. Ben Griffiths #228 | 29th January 2023 v Anglia Ruskin |
Nottingham Gold | Lines are in red and the team areas are not the required distance from the field and marked to the 25-yard lines. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 4th February 2023 v Stirling Clansmen |
Nottingham Green | Lines are in red and the team areas are not the required distance from the field and marked to the 25-yard lines. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 4th February 2023 v Cambridge Pythons |
NTU Renegades | Upon arrival we learned that the pitch was frozen and unplayable. NTU had attempted to make contact with us at 11am, after all officials had left for the game. Joel Pearson #405 | 29th January 2023 v Warwick Wolves |
RHUL Bears | After continuous discussions with the two head coaches, together with the away team coach, it was decided that the field was not safe for play. The ground was frozen solid and every unevenness in the field was sticking out hard as concrete. The studs of the players could not enter the soil to prevent the players from slipping. It was -5C when we arrived to the field (10:20am), and just before noon it was still -2C, with heavy fog, so the sun could not melt the field surface. Viktor Janvari #63 | 29th January 2023 v Sussex Saxons |
Sheffield Hallam Warriors | Well-marked 80-yard field in red, with assorted sports markings in contrasting colour. Coaches lines were demarcated with cones. Perry Wayman #504 | 29th January 2023 v MMU Eagles |
Southampton Stags | Minor issues with field markings (lines too wide in places, coaching boxes marked to the 10-yard lines). Goal posts strapped to fences surrounding the playing area. Great hospitality from home team management to provide snacks and hot drinks in the officials' changing room. Crew would also like to thank the officials who turned up from the postponed Royal Holloway game, they made a great chain crew that really helped out. Dean Wright #553 | 12th February 2023 v Bournemouth University Bobcats |
Tarannau Aberystwyth | 100-yard field with NFL-width hash marks. Teams areas only marked out to the 25-yard lines. No nine-yard marks or three-yard PAT marks. The goals appear to be wider than rule (approx 20' in width). Amir Brooks #593 | 8th February 2023 v Bath Killer Bees |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Birmingham Lions | There were no coaches boxes marked. In places, the hash marks were so faint they were impossible to see. Keith Wickham #423 | 11th February 2023 v UEA Pirates |
Cardiff Cobras | The goals are set back from the end line because there is insufficient space between the goals and the perimeter fence. The chains were in poor condition with one end being made up with cable ties, shoe laces, and similar to achieve the full 10-yards. Following earlier reports from previous games, this was checked prior to kick off with sufficient time to make and repairs. The field is marked with yellow lines and with the low sun this became invisible from one side line and otherwise difficult to see unless you were close to the lines. Julian Mallia #336 | 5th February 2023 v Birmingham Lions |
City Wolfpack | Played at University of Greenwich, Southwood Site. Well marked 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones in blue with other sport markings in yellow, white, and red. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Changing rooms not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 29th January 2023 v UEL Phoenix |
Coventry University Jets | Coaching area and team area marked with cones. No nine-yard marks or three-yard marks. Joel Pearson #405 | 5th February 2023 v NTU Renegades |
Derby Braves | Team areas were absent. Pylons at the hashmarks-extended were absent. Otherwise a well marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 5th February 2023 v Lincoln Colonials |
DMU Lions | Field marked in black with no team areas. Otherwise, well marked. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 5th February 2023 v Leicester Longhorns |
Gloucester Gladiators | NFL-width hash marks, cones were placed at both end lines to compensate. Chain crew not provided until the very last minute and consisted of three spectators. Mike Lefevre #341 | 29th January 2023 v UWE Pellets |
Greenwich Mariners | Game was scheduled for 13:00, however both teams had pre-agreed 13:30. Whilst there had been some initial communication about a possible change, BAFRA did not appear to receive the actual confirmation that it had been delayed. 90-yard field marked in blue with markings for other sports in yellow, white, and red. No numbers or nine-yard marks were present. Down box is over eight feet tall so there were errors adjusting it to the right number on occasion. Game had numerous injury delays in all four quarters that, whilst individually were not greater than five minutes, combined to around 30 minutes in total. Last half of the fourth quarter was officiated as a crew of three, due to injury to the Umpire. Changing room too small and not lockable so the public gym changing area was used instead. Phil Clarke #262 | 12th February 2023 v City Wolfpack |
Heriot-Watt AFC | Game was delayed for approximately 25 minutes due to a UWS injury, this had a knock on effect for the second half as the field had to be vacated by a certain time to allow a soccer game to start. UWS finished the game with 11 healthy players, but to their credit they did finish the game Gordon Galloway #7 | 5th February 2023 v Sunderland Spartans |
Hull Sharks | 100-yard field with posts. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Team and coaches’ areas were missing but marked out with cones. NFL-width hash marks. The changing room is only really big enough for two officials but a second room of similar size is available across the corridor so crews can split between the two. David Hewitt #607 | 29th January 2023 v Leeds Gryphons |
Keele Crusaders | Initial field inspection new mole hill on three-yard line and filled in several mole hills that presented a trip hazard. Thanks to Keele's game management for filling holes prior to kickoff. Andrew Lovell #559 | 29th January 2023 v Leicester Longhorns |
Kent Falcons | Well marked 90-yard field in red, with other sport markings in yellow, blue, and red. Team area perimeters marked out with cones. Rugby lines approximated for team area lines & nine-yard marks. No numbers or limit lines. Changing room well appointed but small for a crew of four. Tim Ockendon #481 | 29th January 2023 v Essex Blades |
Kingston Cougars | At the start of the game one of the sets of goal posts was facing in the wrong direction, team were able to rectify before kick off. Game kicked off late by agreement of both teams to allow away team head coach time to arrive. Game started in time to run with 12-minute quarters, but following several suspensions for injuries in the first half only 10 minutes quarters were possible in the second half. Dean Wright #553 | 29th January 2023 v UCL Emperors |
Leeds Beckett Carnegie | 80-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Several other sports markings on the field and in close proximity to the endzone. No player or coaching areas but these were marked out with cones. 30 minute injury delay with six minutes remaining in the second quarter. Robin Boyd #191 | 5th February 2023 v Newcastle Raiders |
Leeds Gryphons | 80-yard field with eight-yard end zones. Team areas are marked out with cones. The yellow markings at halfway disappear when full floodlights are active. There are no three-yard marks or nine-yard marks. Chris Jarvis #10 | 5th February 2023 v Northumbria Mustangs |
Leicester Longhorns | NFL-width hash marks and coaches’ boxes marked by cones. Game kicked off 30 minutes after advertised time due to a misunderstanding between teams about agreed kickoff time. Joel Pearson #405 | 23th February 2023 v Derby Braves |
Liverpool Raptors | No coaches box and team box short, although coaches mostly kept inside their areas. John Roberts #145 | 5th February 2023 v Bradford Bears |
Northumbria Mustangs | Field markings are in red with other coloured lines on the field. No three-yard lines and team areas marked with cones. The whole facility is excellent with good changing facilities adjacent to the field and the playing surface is first class. The game was played with a great spirit from both teams and coaches. Gordon Galloway #7 | 29th January 2023 v Edinburgh Predators |
Portsmouth Destroyers | Game kicked off ten minutes late due to late arrival of the medic. Late in the third quarter, the crew dropped to four officials due to injury. Oliver Maskell #221 | 29th January 2023 v Oxford Lancers |
Sheffield Sabres | Football markings were Black, there were a number of other markings for other sports in a number of colours on the field. No numbers or nine yard marks.No Team areas. Two Officials changing rooms were provided, however each was only bug enough for one person. Ben Griffiths #228 | 29th January 2023 v Manchester Tyrants |
Stirling Clansmen | 100-yard field, field markings were faint and the sun did not help. Team areas marked with cones. There was a ball issue for a while, after an extra point, the ball person spent time searching for the ball, we then had only two game balls. Leeds scored quickly again, a second game ball went the same as the first ball, eventually, with the help of fans and team members, both balls were found. Gordon Galloway #7 | 29th January 2023 v Nottingham Gold |
Sussex Saxons | 90-yard artificial turf field marked in blue. Lines are faded in many places and will need remarking soon. The End Lines are too close to the playing enclosure fence so existing white markings, approximately two yards into the marked end zones, were used. No limit lines, team areas, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Snow began to fall prior to kick off and continued for the remainder of the game. Game Management and Players/Coaches/Staff from both teams used practice equipment to uncover key markings at half time to support the continuation of the game. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 12th February 2023 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
Swansea Titans | Game played at SGS due to a booking problem with Swansea's usual venue. Both teams played in white jerseys, with the home team wearing white helmets and pants, and the visiting team wearing maroon helmets and pants. Under BUCS regulations, the home team is responsible for changing their colours in the event of a clash, therefore Swansea were penalised according to Rule [1-4-5]. The down box operator was changed at half time. Amir Brooks #593 | 29th January 2023 v Exeter Demons |
UWE Bullets 2 | The officials used the usual two small officials’ changing rooms at the venue. However, only one changing room had a key available, as the key for the other room had been lost. Team areas are only marked out to the 25-yard lines and there are no limit lines, otherwise the field is well marked out. Amir Brooks #593 | 12th February 2023 v Worcester Royals |
Warwick Wolves | The field markings were in blue and hard to see. The away sideline had been repainted away from the old line, so we had two lines 3" apart. Mike Roberts #32 | 12th February 2023 v Coventry University Jets |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: A 1st and 10 and the B-25. Running Back A32 received the hand-off and carries the ball across B’s Goal Line. During A32’s run B99 clips A88 at the B-10.
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Last week | Play: 4th and 3 at theB-25. Team A is in a formation to attempt a field goal. B50 lines up within one yard of the line of scrimmage and in the gap between the snapper and the guard. B50’s shoulder overlaps with the snapper’s shoulder. The field goal attempt is good.
(6-3-14-a & AR 6-3-14:I) |
MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: When should the uncatchable pass signal (S17) be used?
|
Last week | Game Situation: Team A completes a forward pass inbounds with the clock running. They hurry to the line and get set; immediately before the snap, receiver A87 who is standing in front of the Line Judge commits a false start which the Line Judge flags. At the same time the Head Coach of Team A, who is standing on the Linesman’s side of the field requests a timeout. Answer: The charged Team timeout should be granted, there is no foul for false start. If in doubt, a charged team timeout precedes a foul that prevents the snap (M6.1.12). |
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. |
