Issue 17/23 4th May 2023
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
ANNUAL EXAMINATION
This is a final reminder that the BAFRA Annual Examination is due for submission no later than 23:59 on Saturday, 6th May 2023. Papers will be accepted after this date up until the results are in the public domain but will be subject to a late submission penalty. If you submit your answers via the BAFRA website, then you will get a copy of your completed answer sheet returned to you and an automated confirmation of receipt. If you submit your answers via e-mail or the Royal Mail, then you will get an e-mailed acknowledgement of receipt. It is hoped that the results will be published over the weekend of 13th/14th May so late submissions must be made no later than midday on 13th May.
The papers have been coming in steadily so thank you to those who have submitted.
This is a reminder that all qualified officials must attempt the exam to retain their qualified status. This includes those affiliate members who are holding a qualified status. In addition, associate members are encouraged to attempt the exam to see how their training is progressing and to identify areas to work on with their mentor.
All information may be found in the exam area of the members’ part of the BAFRA website. Instructions for returning your answer paper are contained within the exam rubric.
Any queries should be addressed to exam2023@bafra.info.
Please do not leave your submission to the last minute and risk its late arrival.
Paul Sutton - On behalf of the Examination Committee
5-ON-5 RULES
An error in the previously published 5-on-5 rules has been reported. This suggested that a change to the scoring rules had been made: this is not the case. There has been no change to the 5v5 scoring compared to previous seasons. The version on the BAFA Rules website has now been corrected.
As a general point, if you believe you have spotted an error in the rulebook (or MOFO), please let us know by email (rules@britishamericanfootball.org for rules, mechanics@myiafoa.org for MOFO). Please don't use Facebook for formal correspondence.
Jim Briggs - Chair, BAFA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
QUALIFIED – JON IRELAND
Congratulations to Jon Ireland on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified.
Thanks to Ollie Maskell and all those who are helping with Jon’s training.
James Ford-Bannister - Director of Training
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE
Last week’s Newsflash (16/23) reported that Gamuchirai Mukeredzi of the Aberdeen Roughnecks was disqualified from their game on 23rd April for Targeting. However the disqualification has been cancelled after the crew reviewed footage and concluded that the action did not meet the interpretation of fighting in M 3.5.7.a.iii. 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 | |
New this week | |||||||
Henry Williams | 3 | Hellingly Phoenix (U16) | FGT | After the play, the players engaged in a fight, which caused a bench clearance. Game 3, Second Half, 4:29 remaining. | 3rd June 2023 v London Warriors (U16) | ||
Dwight Rouse | 20 | London Hornets | FGT | 4 | #20 responded to being provoked by an opponent by throwing punches. | 14th May 2023 v Essex Spartans | |
Hammed Abedemi Osho | 6 | London Olympians | FPF | 1 | With 7:00 remaining in the first quarter. after the play was over, #6 was observed to repeatedly headbutt an opponent. | 28th May 2023 v Essex Spartans | |
Ben Schneller | 29 | London Warriors (U16) | FGT | After the play, the players engaged in a fight, which caused a bench clearance. Game 3, Second Half, 4:29 remaining. | 3rd June 2023 v Hellingly Phoenix(U16) | ||
London Burrell | 83 | Norwich Devils | FPF | 4 | With 6:00 remaining in the fourth quarter. after the play was over, #83 was observed to headbutt an opponent. | 7th May 2023 v Essex Spartans | |
Miles Rawlings | 52 | Solent Seahawks (U19) | FPF | 4 | With 2:34 remaining in the fourth Quarter, after the play was over, #52 was seen to forcibly headbutt an opponent. | 7th May 2023 v London Warriors (U19) | |
Daniel Shodipo | 8 | Tamworth Phoenix | TUF | 4 | In the second quarter, #8 and an opponent engaged in legal action away from the play. After the players went to ground and began separating #8 pulled his opponent back to the ground, his opponent retaliated. Both were penalised for UC-DBS. With 13:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, #8 and an opponent engaged in legal action away from the play. After the players went to ground and began separating #8 pulled his opponent back to the ground and then shoved him while on the ground. #8 was penalised for UC-DBS and disqualified for committing a second act of Unsportsmanlike Conduct. | 7th May 2023 v Leicester Panthers | |
K. Azeez-Mukaila | 46 | Wembley Stallions | FGT | 4 | #46 provoked an opponent into reacting by throwing punches. | 21st May 2023 v Norwich Devils | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Sam Illsley | 9 | Cornwall Monarchs | TGC | 4 | With 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, #9 led with crown of his helmet against a Portsmouth player. | 7th May 2023 v Hereford Stampede | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Aberdeen Roughnecks | The field had not been marked since previous game and lines were faded. Field surface was soft but held up well during game. Gordon Galloway #7 | 28th May 2023 v Dunfermline Kings |
Cambridgeshire Cats | Chain set needed repair due to twisted chain on a couple of occasions. Brian Yates #29 | 14th May 2023 v London Warriors |
Cardiff Cobras | Goal posts are set around five-yards behind the endlines. The chain set is in a very poor state of repair, with the game being stopped on three occasions to fix it. One ball had to be replaced due to it becoming deflated. The game was suspended for approximately 15 minutes to treat an injured player. Amir Brooks #593 | Unknown |
Chester Romans (U16) | All four coaches questioned Rule 22 (yardages to use on tries). Rule checked and applied. Thanks to game management for having a large barking and intimidating dog moved from near end zone on field two. Andrew Lovell #559 | Unknown |
Clyde Valley Blackhawks | Team areas marked to 25-yard lines. Ian Sneddon #427 | 14th May 2023 v Aberdeen Roughnecks |
Glasgow Tigers | Officials were not given a proper changing room but a room with some chairs and no separate toilet or showers. Lines were not straight and short yard line extensions and hash marks were not "evenly" measured and nor matching up. Shawn Sombati #15 | 28th May 2023 v Highland Stags |
London Olympians | Well marked 90-yard field with ten-yard end zones, marked in blue with other sport markings in white and yellow. Marks at nine-yards and no team area markings, although rugby lines approximated for coaching lines and the ends of the team areas were marked with cones. Changing room was a good size and lockable but had no facilities. Tim Ockendon #481 | 28th May 2023 v Essex Spartans |
London Warriors | 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. Game was delayed starting by twenty minutes due to the over-running prior game, that had started late due to issues at the venue. Stakes at both ends of the chains are obviously bent. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 16th July 2023 v London Blitz |
London Warriors (U19) | 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. Game was delayed starting by fifteen minutes due to the late finishing of a prior Soccer game. Official’s assistants weren’t immediately forthcoming ut the issue was resolved just before kickoff, although there was a change of chain crew personnel in the middle of the first quarter. Stakes at both ends of the chains are obviously bent. Balls had to be inflated to correct pressure after being supplied to the officials. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 16th July 2023 v Ipswich Cardinals |
London Warriors (U16) | No lines. This is permitted under the rules for youth tournaments, where lines are only strongly recommended. However, a lack of lines made it difficult to officiate accurately. Field marked with non collapsible cones, which were changed before kickoff for safety reasons. Kickoff delayed by eight minutes. Clash of jerseys avoided this time as London Blitz brought white and blue shirts. Ben Gadsby #564 | Unknown |
Nottingham Caesars | 90 yard field. Lines were red, causing issues for colour-blind officials. Coaching box & team areas not the correct width. Chain crew operated in the coach's box Robin Boyd #191 | 14th May 2023 v Birmingham Bulls |
Nottingham Caesars (U19) | Game started ten minutes late as teams had no area to warm up. 90 yard field. Lines were red, causing issues for colour-blind officials. Coaching box & team areas not the correct width. Chain crew operated in the coach's box Robin Boyd #191 | 14th May 2023 v Birmingham Lions |
Ouse Valley Eagles | The away team's coach, carrying the majority of the team, suffered a flat tyre on route, so the kick off was delayed by 20 minutes. Field well marked but quite hard and dusty in the middle so some markings did start to fade as the game progressed, however they were still present and usable. One chain crew member changed at half time. Andrew Murrell #608 | 21st May 2023 v Berkshire Renegades |
Poole Dolphins (U19) | New venue for Poole. Field was marked in blue (apart from one two-yard mark which was in white) alongside white soccer markings. There were a couple of holes which had been filled in by the home team prior to the start of the tournament. Peter Parsons #321 | 17th June 2023 v Somerset Wyverns |
Rushmoor Knights (U16) | Two well marked fields with some 11-on-11 field markings in the same colour and other sports markings in other colours. No down boxes provided. Try markings were at incorrect depths. Henry Young #486 | Unknown |
South London Renegades (U19) | Well marked 90-yard field with ten-yard end zones, marked in blue with other sport markings in white and yellow. Marks at nine-yards and no team area markings, although rugby lines approximated for coaching lines and the ends of the team areas were marked with cones. Game balls provided were all below regulation pressure No changing room available on arrival.. A lockable room was only provided after the officials had changed in the bar area. Tim Ockendon #481 | 11th June 2023 v London Warriors |
Tamworth Phoenix | The Game was played at Butts Park Arena and not Tamworth’s normal home venue. Not all five-yard lines were exactly five yards apart. There were a number of white field markings closes than four feet to some end zone lines. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Endzones were of minimum legal size (seven yards). Teams areas marked between 25-yard lines. The changing room provide for the officials was barely big enough for three people. It was dirty and full of unwashed laundry. A second room was eventually provided. Neither room was lockable. Ben Griffiths #228 | 13th May 2023 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Tamworth Phoenix (U16) | Everything eas very well prepared. Changing room was huge, and the crew were given drinks and biscuits during breaks. Dan Chandler #250 | Unknown |
Torbay Trojans | No issues with teams however due to a car breakdown en route, the crew had to operate as a crew of three. Albert Lambert Jnr #461 | 28th May 2023 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
Wembley Stallions | There was one change of ball person and two changes of chain crew personnel. Peter Parsons #321 | 21st May 2023 v Norwich Devils |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Cornwall Monarchs | 80 yard field. No nine-yard markings. Richard Madge #485 | 30th July 2023 v Hereford Stampede |
DC Presidents | No three-yard lines and NFL-width hash marks. Player and coaches boxes for both sidelines were marked with cones. Game balls were fresh out of their bags and hence all three required inflation. Changing room was snug for a crew of four, larger crews may need to request a different room. The away team ended up supplying two officials assistants. Ali May #42 | 7th May 203 v Humber Warhawks |
Dunfermline Kings | Team areas marked to 25-yard lines. Ian Sneddon #427 | 14th May 2023 v Highland Stags |
Edinburgh Wolves | No team or coaching box marked, cones were used. No limit line. Henry Richardson #25 | 21st May 2023 v Tamworth Phoenix |
Hereford Stampede | Officials are given two changing rooms, both of which are barely big enough for three officials. Hereford's gameday management was excellent, and they provided the officials with isotonic drinks and Jaffa Cakes. Field markings are in blue and appear to be in IFAF yards. Amir Brooks #593 | 7th May 2023 v Ouse Valley Eagles |
Highland Stags | No limit lines. Henry Richardson #25 | 4th June 2023 v Inverclyde Goliaths |
Leigh Miners | 80 yard field. Team areas extend to the 15-yard lines. Goalposts at one end are slightly offset from the endline. Otherwise, well marked. Paul Todd #289 | 25th June 2023 v Shropshire Revolution |
London Blitz | 100 yard grass field marked in white. Numbers and team areas too small and coaching line and team area line on one side of the field were too close. Several main yard lines were not straight and short yard line extensions at the hash marks were not always one yard apart. Despite extensive repairs following the previous week's games, the field surface was uneven in places and deteriorated as the game progressed but never became hazardous. Good size changing room with lockable side room but no private shower or toilet. Tim Ockendon #481 | 14th May 2023 v Bristol Aztecs |
Merseyside Nighthawks | 90 yard field marked in yellow. There were a second set of short yard extensions on one side of the field at approximately NFHS width. There were a number of other sports markings in similar colour to the Football Markings. There were no numbers or nine-yard marks. Team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines and there were no Coaching Lines. Two changing rooms were provided for the officials, however they were only big enough for two people at a time so pre game was held in the adjacent closed bar area. Lee Taylor #183 | 14th May 2023 v Leicester Panthers |
Northants Knights | With 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter and a score of 14-8 to the Knights, a Knights player collapsed and required emergency medical treatment. All parties agreed it was no longer appropriate to continue. Joel Pearson #405 | 21st May 2023 v Chester Romans |
Northumberland Vikings | Team/coaching areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. Ian Sneddon #427 | 18th June 2023 v Darlington Steam |
Rushmoor Knights | Field painted with very thin blue lines, with a faint white running track cutting through the field in several places. Team areas were too close to the sideline and lines were not straight. The field was uneven in places and some trip hazards were filled in before the game. Chains were about a foot too short but were fixed prior to kickoff. One of the officials assistants was changed at half time. Changing rooms are not lockable and a long walk from the field. Rushmoor Knights are hopeful to be playing at a new venue for their next home game. Oliver Maskell #221 | 4th June 2023 v Oxford Saints |
Scunthorpe Alphas | Very well marked 90 yard field. Team areas incorrectly marked out between the 23-yard lines. All three game balls needed adjusting prior to kick off but otherwise another great effort from Scunthorpe. David Hewitt #607 | 28th May 2023 v Lancashire Wolverines |
Somerset Wyverns | Changing rooms rather small particularly for a crew of five. Julian Mallia #336 | 18th June 2023 v Cornwall Monarchs |
Sussex Thunder | Game was suspended due to weather (Lightning) at 16:50. Extremely heavy rain and hail fell for 20 minutes. Upon returning to the field for an inspection several large areas of standing water were observed. With light rain continuing to fall, efforts to improve the surface were unsuccessful. The Referee deemed the waterlogged surface to be hazardous, and the game was abandoned with 15 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter at 17:30. The score was Sussex 8 - Colchester 20 at the time of the abandonment. Changing room was small, dirty and damp. Chain set broke twice and the down indicator broke once. Dean Wright #553 | 28th May 2023 v East Kent Mavericks |
Wakefield District Raiders | 80 yard well marked field with ten yard enzones. Grass Rugby pitch was in good condition. Robin Boyd #191 | 28th May 2023 v Humber Warhawks |
Yorkshire Rams | Reasonably well marked field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Team areas were incorrectly marked out between the 25-yard lines. The chain set broke on three occasions requiring a hold up of the game. All three game balls required adjustment prior to kick off. David Hewitt #607 | 4th June 2023 v Northumberland Vikings |
Endzone will return when the BAFRA Exam Period is over.
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
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. |
