NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Shawn Banks

52

Norwich Devils

TUF

4

Norwich #52 received his first UC penalty in the first quarter, following a scuffle between opponents. With ten seconds left in the game, #52 made disparaging remarks regarding the officiating crew which led to his second UC penalty.

25th June 2023 v London Blitz B

Henrique Baptista Borges

AC

Sheffield Giants

TUF

2

During the second half of this five-on-five game, an assistant coach entered the field to remonstrate with officials after a foul was called. This resulted in his first unsportsmanlike conduct foul. After the flag was thrown for this foul, the coach picked up the flag and threw it away, resulting in his second unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

Suspension Served

Fin Mobbs

2

Solent Seahawks

TUF

4

With 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, and following an opponents TD, whilst heading towards the sideline, the player removed his helmet and forcibly threw it into the ground whilst still in the field of play. This was the players' second unsportsmanlike conduct foul of the game.

18th June 2023 v Kent Exiles

Ollie Sweeney

10

Tamworth Phoenix (U19)

FGT

2

After the end of the play, while players were still piled up, #10 was observed punching a prone opponent's helmet multiple times.

17th June 2023 v Nottingham Caesars

Andy Sweeney

AC

Tamworth Phoenix (U19)

TUF

2

Following the disqualification of Tamworth's #10, the Assistant Coach loudly used an expletive, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. The assistant coach then made a further sarcastic comment in response to the penalty called against him, so was assessed a second unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

17th June 2023 v Nottingham Caesars

* As this was a disqualification of a non-player, this is a whole game day suspension as opposed to just a playing suspension. Mr Sweeney may not be present at the game site in any capacity.

Charles Chemali

10

Wembley Stallions

TGD

2

With 7:21 remaining in the second quarter, Olympians were fielding a punt, which was muffed and #10 hit the kick returner's head and neck area with force.

18th June 2023 v London Olympians

Adrian McConney

58

Wembley Stallions

FPF

3

With 4:07 remaining in the third quarter, #68 of the Olympians and #58 of the Stallions were entangled when the whistle blew and both went to the ground grabbing each other. The crew approached them and asked them to get up, and while #68 (Olympians) was getting up, #58 (Stallions) kicked forwards and upwards into their groin area with the studded shoes, and as #68 went to the ground holding his groin, #58 had to be restrained by his teammates, not to continue with some other action.

18th June 2023 v London Olympians

Previous weeks

James Spindler

10

Chester Romas (U16)

FUC

1

This was an U16 tournament and the foul occurred with approximately 1:00 minute remaining in the first half. #10, having recovered a loose ball, got to his feet and was mistaken that the referee had awarded the ball to his opponent. He then loudly called the referee an insulating name before heading to his sideline where he loudly repeated his profanity drawing a second flag from the field judge.

First Game of 1st July Tournament

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Birmingham Bulls

90 yard field marked in red, but with hash marks in white. The length of yards was inconsistent in places.

Paul Todd #289

23rd July 2023 v Nottingham Caesars

East Kent Mavericks

90 yard artificial field - all American Football markings recently repainted in blue, with Rugby markings in red, and other sport in yellow and white. Both goal lines are blue immediately followed with the red rugby line, midfield is blue with immediate white soccer line. Mavericks had provided numerous bottles of cold water in the officials changing room. Half time was extended to 25 minutes at request of both teams and all other breaks in the game [injury/timeouts/change of quarter] were slightly extended to allow both players and officials to take on fluids.

Phil Clarke #262

16th July 2023 v Sussex Thunder

East Kilbride Pirates

Field well marked but in blue and there were several sandy areas in the middle of the field.

Ian Sneddon #427

16th July 2023 v Manchester Titans

East Kilbride Pirates (U19)

Manchester arrived with 18 kitted 'players' but #1 worked the camera in the first half and sat on the sideline for the second half. It appeared that the team made the minimum number of players by kitting up someone who had no intention to play.

Ian Sneddon #427

16th July 2023 v Chorley Buccaneers

Edinburgh Wolves

Coaching boxes were set out with cones. Field markings were blue in colour but were a bit faded.

Gordon Galloway #7

13th August 2023 v East Kilbride Pirates

Edinburgh Wolves (NWFL)

Field well marked, only thing to note was that the nine-yard marks were missing. This was the second game in a double header, the first game was a high scoring game which meant it was longer than anticipated and had a knock on effect for the second game with the medic needing to leave at about 18:00..

Richard McEwen (206

Unknown

Humber Warhawks

100 yard field with Team Areas marked to 25-yard lines.

Alan Christopher #599

25th June 2023 v Doncaster Mustangs

Kent Exiles

90 yard field. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No limit lines. Changing rooms not lockable.

Peter Parsons #321

2nd July 2023 v London Blitz

Lancashire Wolverines

80 yard field. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No team areas marked out but both teams kept to their required areas very well.

David Hewitt #607

30th July 2023 v Yorkshire Rams

Leeds Chargers (NWFL)

Field well marked, only thing to note was that the nine-yard marks were missing. This was the first game in a double header. A high scoring game meant it was longer then anticipated and had a knock on effect for the second game with the medic needing to leave at about 18:00.

Richard McEwen #206

22nd July 2023 v Edinburgh Wolves

London Olympians

90 yard artificial field with blue American Football markings.

Viktor Janvari #63

30th July 2023 v London Hornets

Norwich Devils

Chain had to be repaired twice during the game.

Brian Yates #29

2nd July 2023 v London Olympians

Nottingham Caesars

Game played at Loughborough Uni - no team areas or three-yard marks. With 1:13 remaining in the second quarter, a neck injury necessitated a stoppage of ten minutes and both coaches agreed to shorten the quarter to zero minutes [3-2-2-a]. There was a further stoppage in the third quarter for approximately 15 minutes following another injury,

Joel Pearson #405

18th June 2023 v Northants Knights

Nottingham Caesars (U19)

Changing rooms very far from the field. Excellent provisions for the hot weather by the host team.

Joseph Foxon #473

Unknown

Paisley Bears (U16)

No five-yard line or 12-yard marking, these were marked with cones.

Kenneth Glover #71

Unknown

Poole Dolphins (U16)

A few small divots were found in the field which, were corrected before the game. Field was well marked, provided with a lockable changing room.

Scott Castle #626

Unknown

Rugby Rhinos (U19)

Great Game Day Management and the Crew were provided with drinks all day.

Lawrence Grugeon #22

Unknown

Rushmoor Knights

There are white running track lines which run onto the field but as the field is marked in blue it is manageable.

Keith Wickham #423

2nd July 2023 v Bournemouth Bobcats

Shropshire Revolution

Field lines in white, which is the same colour as athletics field markings. Brief stoppage to fill in divot left by shot-put remnants. Water breaks taken at a couple of opportunities due to heat.

Krister Halvorsen #77

30th July 2023 v Crewe Railroaders

Solent Seahawks (U19)

Coaching boxes and team areas marked to the 25-yard lines. The crossbar and uprights of the goal posts overhang the end zone by one yard.

Andrew Murrell #608

23rd July 2023 v Ipswich Cardinals

Solent Thrashers

Coaching boxes and team areas marked to the 25-yard lines. The crossbar and uprights of the goal posts overhang the end zone by one yard.

Andrew Murrell #608

23rd July 2023 v Kent Exiles

South London Renegades (U19)

Game delayed by eight minutes due to late card checks by both teams. Field adequate but no nine-yard marks. Changing rooms not lockable.

Liam MacDonald #565

16th July 2023 v Kent Exiles

Wakefield District Raiders

80 yard field but well marked throughout. Access to changing room delayed until 13:15 due to (non) master key. Changing room was lockable and secured.

Richard McEwen #206

25th June 2023 v Gateshead Senators

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Berkshire Renegades

One ball person swapped just before kickoff, and then one person changed on the chain crew at half time. One stoppage to repair the chains.

Andrew Murrell #608

25th June 2023 v Ouse Valley Eagles

Cambridgeshire Cats

On arrival at the ground, we were informed by the game day manager that the sports centre had not properly marked the field. On inspection one of the goal lines was missing, along with four or five five-yard lines and no hash marks. We informed game management that unless these lines were marked the game would not proceed. The home team bought some spray paint and by kick off time the missing lines were marked to a degree that the game could proceed.

Brian Yates #29

18th June 2023 v Kent Exiles

Chester Romans

90 yard field with no numbers or nine-yard marks. Team areas, particularly the press box side, were very close to the fence around the playing area. Changing room provided for the officials was very snug, with only room for one to sit. The down box operator was changed midway in the second quarter for being too inattentive to the game.

Peter Roberts #87

24th June 2023 v Sheffield Giants

Chorley Buccaneers (U19)

Reasonably well marked 100 yard field with gooseneck posts. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Several other sports markings were present in close proximity to the endzone. Team areas were missing but both teams were well disciplined and kept within the 20-yard lines.

David Hewitt #607

18th June 2023 v Edinburgh Napier Knights

Clyde Valley Blackhawks

Game was delayed in kicking off as officials were travelling from first game of the doubleheader.

Kenneth Glover #71

6th August 2023 v Highland Stags

Crewe Railroaders

Both male and female changing rooms were small, and used as storage rooms. Game suspended with one minute left in second quarter as the medical team were fully occupied dealing with seriously ill Crewe squad member. Game resumed with agreement of both head coaches at start of second half. Game subsequently ended with score 38-0 and running clock, after another player was seriously injured, and a very long wait for medical treatment.

Andrew Lovell #559

2nd July 2023 v Leigh Miners

Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19)

Field markings were in blue and faint. Team areas marked with cones to the 25-yard lines but moved prior to kickoff.

Gordon Galloway #7

23rd July 2023 v Chorley Buccaneers

Glasgow Tigers

Team areas marked with cones and some of the lines were not at correct distances.

Kenneth Glover #71

30th July 2023 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks

Highland Stags

Although field markings were yellow this was a very well marked out field.

Ian Sneddon #427

25th June 2023 v Aberdeen Roughnecks

Inverclyde Goliaths

Team and Coach areas were not marked out but were coned off to the correct lines.

Ian Sneddon #427

25th June 2023 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks

Ipswich Cardinals

Changing rooms not lockable. Kick off delayed by ten mins due to the late finish of the Junior game.

Lee Wood #517

25th June 2023 v East Kent Mavericks

Ipswich Cardinals (U19)

Changing rooms not lockable.

Lee Wood #517

18th June 2023 v London Blitz

Kent Exiles (U19)

Ipswich only had a 17-member squad. Therefore, they did not meet minimum roster requirements and forfeited. A scrimmage with a running clock was played instead.

Daniel Clarke #311

18th June 2023 v Solent Seahawks

Leicester Panthers

The dedicated officials’ changing room is small, but the crew were able to use one of the main changing rooms once the teams were on the field. Field marked in yellow and somewhat faint but usable. No team areas.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

2nd July 2023 v East Kilbride Pirates

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 field with markings in white and yellow. Most markings were too thin and very faint - worsened by the prior fixture in the double header.. The goal line at the Bowles end had been marked twice. Both sets of hash marks in the middle of the field were marked at uneven depth with one set mostly too wide and the other mostly too narrow. The short yard-line extensions were also not evenly spaced. The coaching box and team areas were marked with cones. There were no limit lines. The field was very dry and hard, with many barren dusty craters. There was one brief change of ball person. With 11:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, the resumption of play was delayed for approximately 5 minutes to treat a head injury to a London Blitz Player. There was no allocated changing room suitable for seven officials so the meeting room was commandeered and equipment was locked in the office.

James Ford-Bannister #479

13th August 2023 v Solent Thrashers

London Blitz B

100 yard field with markings in white and yellow. Most markings were too thin and very faint. The goal line at the Bowles end had been marked twice. Both sets of hash marks in the middle of the field were marked at uneven depth with one set mostly too wide and the other mostly too narrow. The short yard-line extensions were also not evenly spaced. The coaching box and team areas were marked with cones. There were no limit lines. The field was very dry and hard, with many barren dusty craters. There was no allocated changing room suitable for seven officials so the meeting room was commandeered and equipment was locked in the office.

James Ford-Bannister #479

25th June 2023 v Norwich Devils

London Blitz (U19)

Some lines needed painting, which was done before kick off. Officials changing room was dirty with no private facilities. Game day persons provided very late and changed multiple times. Field surface was ok, but grass uneven in length - last 20 yard of the field was significantly longer than rest and large bald patches. Short yard line extension were marked differently on each side of the field.

Lee Wood #517

16th July 2023 v Solent Seahawks

London Hornets

90 yard field and long grass. Three-yard marks were marked at the two-yard lines.

Dean Wright #553

25th June 2023 v Wembley Stallions

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

Manchester Titans

80 yard field. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Several other sports lines in various colours which, on occasion, made it difficult to identify which line should be used. The coaching box was too close to the sidelines but the use of the rugby field touchline helped with the problem. All three game balls needed adjusting prior to kick off.

David Hewitt #607

18th June 2023 v East Kilbride Pirates

Merseyside Nighthawks

Field marked in yellow but very clear. Team areas marked between 25-yard lines with no coaching box line.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

2nd July 2023 v Tamworth Phoenix

Northants Knights

Away team supplied match balls as home team had new match balls that were yet to be treated.

Joel Pearson #405

2nd July 2023 v Sandwell Steelers

Northumberland Vikings

Team/coaching areas were marked to the 25-yard lines.

Ian Sneddon #427

18th June 2023 v Darlington Steam

Ouse Valley Eagles

Both teams were wearing dark coloured jerseys (Black and Dark Blue). However, as they had noticeably different coloured numbers combined with being different coloured dark jerseys, it was decided that they were suitably distinguishable for the game to proceed.

Andrew Murrell #608

30th July 2023 v Portsmouth Dreadnoughts

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

Sandwell Steelers

Field marked in black and quite faint.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

25th June 2023 v Birmingham Bulls

Scunthorpe Alphas

Excellent 90 yard field. Well marked. Team areas were incorrectly marked out between the 25-yard lines.

David Hewitt #607

18th Jun 2023 v Yorkshire Rams

Sheffield Giants

One of the officials assistants did not turn up until five minutes before kick off. A Nottingham Assistant was given permission to film the game from behind one of the End Zones. Halfway through the third quarter it was reported that this person appeared to be giving signals and talking into a communication device. He was asked to go back to the Nottingham sideline.

Alan Christopher #599

18th June 2023 v Sandwell Steelers

Somerset Wyverns

Changing rooms rather small particularly for a crew of five.

Julian Mallia #336

18th June 2023 v Cornwall Monarchs

South Wales Warriors

Game played at Heol-Y-Cyw RFC (not South Wales' usual venue). Changing room was spacious but not locked. No three-yard marks or limits lines.

Amir Brooks #593

25th June 2023 v Oxford Saints

Staffordshire Surge

Officials changing rooms are very small. Car park also very small

Andrew Lovell #559

25th June 2023 v Crewe Railroaders

Sussex Thunder

Chains broke multiple times. Double markings in some areas of the field. Changing rooms not lockable and dirty.

Roger Brown #469

23rd July 2023 v Ipswich Cardinals

Tamworth Phoenix

The field was marked in red on green. The chain crew changed at halftime.

Paul Todd #289

17th June 2023 v Leicester Panthers

Tamworth Phoenix (U19)

Markings faint in places and painted in red on green.

Paul Todd #289

17th June 2023 v Nottingham Caesars

Torbay Trojans

90-yard field. Some parts of the field were patchy and slightly uneven. One change of ballperson at half time.

Richard Madge #485

16th July 2023 v Somerset Wyverns

Yorkshire Rams

100 yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard yard marks or numbers. Other sports markings in close proximity to the endzones plus other locations on the field but fortunately they didn't cause any issues. Team areas were incorrectly marked out between the 25-yard lines.

David Hewitt #607

25th June 2023 v Scunthorpe Alphas

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: 2nd & 8 at Team’s B 40-yard line. 1:56 remains in the second quarter. A66 snaps the ball high to quarterback A10 who has to jump to control the snap. Whilst still airborne at Team B’s 45-yard line, A10 pitches the ball forwards to A88 who has run across the front of A10. A88 runs wide to the right and runs out of bounds at Team B’s 30-yard line. During A88’s run, B24 blocks A73 below the waist 6 yards beyond the neutral zone.

What is the next down and distance? What is the game clock status?

Ruling?

Last week

Play: It is 4th and 5 at the B-25. QB A-1 is under centre. The snap is made and the quarter back touches the ball with his hands, but never controls the ball. The ball rolls backwards to the B-28 where running back A-33 recovers the ball and advances to the B-8 where he is tackled.

Ruling: 1st & Goal at the B8, the snap is a backward pass, as A-1 never had control of the football, he has muffed the ball and not fumbled it, therefore the fourth down fumble rule does not apply.

The game clock will start on the ready for play, the play clock will be 40 seconds and start when B-8 is tackled.

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: 3rd and 5 at the B-40. B run for 3 yards. Team A lined up in an illegal formation. The Referee gives a preliminary signal while a Wing Official explains the options to the offended coach. A Team B captain states they would like to decline the penalty and take 4th down, the Wing official states that the Head Coach would like to accept the penalty and repeat 3rd down. Which option should be taken?

Answer next issue…

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

2023

15th July 2023

Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

11th November 2023

Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

2024

6th April (Sat) 2024

BAFRA Ltd. AGM

secretary@bafra.info

6th-7th April (Sat-Sun) 2024

BAFRA Convention

secretary@bafra.info

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.info

General Secretary

Richard Moger

secretary@bafra.info

Finance

Stuart Tabberer

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Oliver Maskell

operations@bafra.info

Recruitment

Susannah Taylor

recruitment@bafra.info

Training

James Ford-Bannister

training@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #1

Peter Parsons

dwp1@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #2

Steve Tonkinson

dwp2@bafra.info

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.