Issue 30/23 4th August 2023
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BAFA BOWL GAMES & NFL CHAIN CREWS
It's that time of year! The selection committee is meeting in early August to discuss selection for this year's BAFA Bowl games, and also chain crews for this year's NFL International Series games.
BAFA Bowl Games
This year, there will be 5 BAFA Bowl games:
Sunday 27th August - U19 D1 (9v9) Final - University of Loughborough
Saturday 16th September - Division Two & NWFL (9v9) Finals - Butts Park Arena, Coventry
Sunday 17th September - Division One & BritBowl (Prem Final) - Butts Park Arena, Coventry
Officials are asked to make sure their Arbiter blocks are correctly updates for all three dates.
NFL International Series
I'm pleased to say that we are now in a position to invite expressions of Interest to be part of the Chain Crew for the NFL International Series from all eligible members.
As a reminder, this years games are:
Sunday 1st October - Jacksonville Jaguars vs Atlanta Falcons - Wembley Stadium
Sunday 8th October - Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Tottenham Stadium
Sunday 15th October - Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore Ravens - Tottenham Stadium
Please email operations@bafra.info clearly stating for which games you will be available. If you have worked at an International Series game in the past, please detail what role and what year.
I would encourage all members who are eligible to consider applying. However, please be aware that we are always heavily oversubscribed and the NFL insist on some continuity of experience.
We want to give as many dedicated officials an opportunity to work at these major events and unlike some other roles, where longevity is essential, here it is also about "taking regard of the member's commitment to officiating and contribution to BAFRA". If you require further information about any aspect of this important role please contact me directly for an informal discussion.
On submission of your expression of interest, you will receive an acknowledgement. If you do not receive a reply within 72 hours then contact me to ensure your application has been received.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 8th August.
Ollie Maskell – Director of Operations
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/eb20230722.pdf
Richard Moger – General Secretary
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Kashmiri Hassam | 36 | Berkshire Renegades | TUF | 2 | With 6:49 remaining in the second quarter, after the play was over, #36 Berkshire was seen to strike an opponent in the stomach. Afterwards, he threatened an opponent. The time between the two events meant that these incidents were not one event and the player was disqualified for 2 Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls. | 6th August 2023 v Hereford Stampede | |
Kieran Sands | 95 | Sussex Thunder | FGT | 3 | With 0:45 remaining in the third quarter, #95 was witnessed to throw a punch at an opponent. This was a dead ball act after the end of the play. | Unknown *Mr Sands 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 the Sussex Thunder the first regular season game of a University Team if he registers for a University team. | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Emeka Anyaegbu | 79 | Kent Exiles | FGT | 4 | With 1:21 remaining in the fourth Quarter, #79 was seen to punch an opponent, before removing the opponents helmet, and then finally his own helmet and slamming it into the floor near a group of players and officials. | 13th August 2023 v Cambridgeshire Cats | |
Miel Hall | 65 | London Warriors | FPF | 3 | With 9:30 remaining in the third quarter, #65 was seen to repeatedly head butt an opponent he was engaged with. | 13th August 2023 v Bristol Aztecs | |
Ikechi Apakama | 22 | Merseyside Nighthawks | TUF | 4 | With 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, #22 committed a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul. | 13th August 2023 v Leicester Panthers | |
Tushon Blackson-Mwale | 1 | South Wales Warriors | TUF | 3 | With 9:55 remaining in the third quarter, the player was seen to stand over a fallen player and taunt him. He was separated by officials and sent to his sideline where he was then seen to taunt a number of other players. As there was a substantial amount of time that elapsed between the taunts it was deemed to be two separate acts. | 6th August 2023 v Bristol Apache | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bristol Apache | The game was briefly stopped due to a down box malfunction; it couldn't display a first down. A replacement down box could not be obtained as the person holding the key to their storage shed was not on site. It was decided to continue the game using the faulty down box, with first downs being signified by turning it to the side so that only the thin edge of the box was facing the field. Amir Brooks #593 | 6th August 2023 v South Wales Warriors |
Cardiff Valkyries (NWFL) | Field was marked out with cones. The only line available was at the half way line and other sports markings were running across the field in various colours. Kieran Smith #102 | Unknown |
Cornwall Monarchs | Game started ten minutes later than advertised time due to traffic holdups on the A30. This was agreed to by both teams. Changing rooms were very small for a crew of four, let alone five. Home team did make a medical room available for female official to change in. Dave Moore #92 | Unknown |
East Kent Mavericks | Well marked 90 yard field with eight yard end zones marked in blue, with other sport markings in red, white & yellow. No limit lines or numbers but rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Inbounds lines too short and coaching line at incorrect depth. One game ball was under inflated. Changing room well appointed but not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
Essex Spartans | Officials changing room is not lockable and toilet facilities shared with Teams. 90 yard grass field. The markings are getting faint but still visible enough. Several small holes/patches of field filled in with loose sand/dirt but none constitute a trip hazard. Phil Clarke #262 | 6th August 2023 v Wembley Stallions |
Glasgow Tigers | Field markings were in blue and coaching areas were marked with cones. Chains were too long and had to be adjusted prior to kickoff. Field was uneven in areas and the grass was long. Gordon Galloway #7 | 6th August 2023 v Aberdeen Roughnecks |
Hertfordshire Cheetahs | No limit lines marked. Peter Parsons #321 | Unknown |
Inverclyde Goliaths | 90 yard field marked with red lines. Shawn Sombati #15 | Unknown |
London Olympians | 90 yard field. One end zone was 12 yards deep, the other was ten yards deep. Markings on the field were dark blue against dark green artificial surface - difficult to see. Dean Wright #553 | 6th August 2023 v London Blitz B |
Sandwell Steelers | Well-marked 80 yard field with eight yard end zones but generally faint blue markings. One ball person and one chain crew member changed at half time. Perry Wayman #504 | Unknown |
Shropshire Revolution | Athletics markings were in the same colour as the American football markings. Goalposts were overhanging the endzone, but entered the ground out of bounds. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | Unknown |
Staffordshire Surge | Well marked 80 yard field but grass is a little overgrown in places. End zones of unequal depth. Changing room adequate for maximum three officials but small for a crew of five. Mike Cavanagh #465 | Unknown |
Sussex Thunder | 90 yard field well marked with limit lines but no numbers. Some dog mess cleared from near the field. Changing rooms not lockable and dirty. Roger Brown #469 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Birmingham Bulls | The changing room provided for the officials was spacious but not lockable (the usual officials' changing room was unavailable due to refurbishment work). A well-marked 90-yard field, although the lines are in red. Amir Brooks #593 | 6th August 2023 v Sandwell Steelers |
Bournemouth Bobcats | Some dog mess was removed from the field before kick off. Inbounds hash marks were too close to the sideline by a few yards. Oliver Maskell #221 | 6th August 2023 v Oxford Saints |
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 |
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 |
Ipswich Cardinals | Before kick off, two divots had to be filled by game management. Changing rooms are not lockable with no private facilities. Lee Wood #517 | 6th August 2023 v Colchester Gladiators |
Kent Exiles | 90 yard field. At 17:23, Kent Exiles #53 broke a leg. At 17:53, both Head Coaches and the referee agreed to abandon the game. There was 10:29 and running remaining in the fourth quarter. Ben Gadsby #564 | 13th August 2023 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
Lincolnshire Bombers | 90 yard grass field with ten yard end zones. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Ground was rock hard. Robin Boyd #191 | 6th August 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 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. Game balls supplied were all legal but well used. One game ball was lost during the first half but Game Management were able to provide a suitable replacement. Changing room well appointed but not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 13th August 2023 v Bristol Aztecs |
Manchester Titans | All markings were just visible and are becoming rather faint. 80 yard field with only one set of posts. With the agreement of both head coaches all drives went towards the posts. John Roberts #145 | 13th August 2023 v Tamworth Phoenix |
Rushmoor Knights | Well marked 90-yard field in blue with other sport markings in white. No limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. Changing room well appointed but not lockable. Tim Ockendon #481 | 6th August 2023 v Hertfordshire Cheetahs |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: The home team are trailing 32-0. The visiting team kick-off and the result of the play is a touchback. The home team coach informs the officials that he has “run out of lineman” and would like to play Tight End A89 at Offensive Tackle, by “declaring him ineligible”.
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Last week | Play: 4th & 18 at the A-32. Team A Punt the ball and, in an attempt to catch the kick, returner B85 muffs the ball at the B-15. A32 recovers the ball at the B-20 where he advances across the Goal Line. While in the Endzone A32 celebrates by performing a mid-air somersault. The Line Judge throws his flag for this act by A32 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: One minute has passed after the try following a Team A touchdown. Team A are in position to kick off at their own 35 yard line. The Team B players are grouped in a huddle on the field near their sideline receiving information from their coach who is in the coaching box. The head coach of the receiving team has been warned about tardiness on a previous kick-off. How should the officials resolve this situation?
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Last week | Game Situation: After having a false start called against him, snapper A67 complains to the Umpire that the defensive signals are interfering with the snap count. On the next play the Umpire listens carefully to the defensive calls being made by linebacker B54. Though his calls are loud and some of them are being called out during the QB's cadence, they do not appear to be simulating the QB's signals. How should the Umpire approach this situation? Answer: Rule 7-1-5-a-5 states “No player shall use words or signals that disconcert opponents when they are preparing to put the ball in play. No player may call defensive signals that simulate the sound or cadence of (or otherwise interfere with) offensive starting signals.” Mechanics Manual 6-1-21 states that when in doubt: “defensive signals are legal”. There should be no doubt in the mind of the official that a defensive signal is disconcerting. In this situation there is a doubt and so no foul should be called. The Umpire should continue to monitor the situation though, and be prepared to throw a flag if B54 starts using his calls to deliberately upset the snap count. |
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. |
