Issue 3/24 1st February 2024
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BAFRA ANNUAL CONVENTION
Following initial announcement regarding our Annual Convention, and information on how to register, we have already received applications from 25 members. Over the coming weeks further information will be provided by BAFRA President, and we will continue to publish information in Newsflash. Please remember that we will publish attendance numbers only in Newsflash, but will advise names to BAFRA members separately, in order that you can check that we have received/actioned your registration application. Please remember that if you have registered very recently your name may not appear on the list until next week.
Location
The Convention will be held at Yarnfield Park Training & Conference Centre, Yarnfield Lane, Yarnfield, Staffordshire, ST15 0NL. Yarnfield Park is a leading Training and Conference centre in the heart of the UK. I would recommend that you look over the facility on their website where you can find details of the location and directions: https://www.yarnfieldpark.com
Registration
You can now register to attend the Convention at the following link and book accommodation if required: BAFRA 2024 Convention Registration - see also QR Code below:
Administering the registration process and processing payments for accommodation is a time-consuming task given our high attendance figures. As such I would request you register and make your room payments as early as possible.
Accommodation
As mentioned above, we have again negotiated excellent rates for accommodation which are detailed below. The rates indicated are per room, per night and include all discounts and a full breakfast.
Remember, to take advantage of the above rates you must book your room via the above link.
Payment
Payment for Convention rooms is due by 12th March. Payment can be made either electronically or by cheque.
Cheques should be for the full amount, made payable to BAFRA Ltd and sent to:
Stuart Tabberer
30 Clover Ground
Bristol
BS9 4UH
If paying electronically, please ensure your payment reference is your full name and BAFRA number e.g., “Stuart Tabberer 348”:
Account Number: 10255350
Sort Code: 16-16-11
Bank Account Name: BAFRA LTD
It is appreciated that some people may wish to spread the cost and make multiple payments over the weeks leading up to 12th March. Please use the same instructions as above. If you wish to make multiple payments, then you must make the payments electronically and not by cheque.
Unfortunately, payment for the Convention cannot be taken from Game Fees. The administration work involved is far too time-consuming and does not fit well with our electronic process of paying game fees by direct transfer to your bank account.
Friday Night
Most members who attend the convention arrive on a Friday night to save an early rise and travel on Saturday morning. As such, the above rates are available for both the Friday and Saturday nights. I would recommend booking your room as early as possible.
Finally
If you have any questions or queries about the convention, please drop an email to convention@bafra.info and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Ian Sneddon - Convention Delivery Team
QUALIFIED - CHRIS TAYLOR
Congratulations to Chris Taylor on completing all of the requirements necessary to become Qualified.
Thanks to Alan Christopher and all those who are helping with Chris’s training.
James Ford-Bannister - Director of Training
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Omar Harris | 52 | Derby Braves | TGB | 3 | Half way through the third quarter, after the play was over, #52 was seen to make forcible contact, with the crown of the helmet, to a defenceless player’s head. | 11th February 2024 v DMU Lions | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Finley Hampson | 20 | Edge Hill Vikings | FPF | 3 | With 2:56 remaining in the third quarter, #20 was penalised for PF-LHP after hitting a prone opponent who had recovered a loose ball. Due to the lateness of the hit, the speed and distance from which #20 came, and the force involved with the contact, this foul was deemed to be flagrant. | 4th February 2024 v Keele Crusaders | |
Abraham Mosely | 57 | Sheffield Hallam Warriors | FUC | 4 | With 2:24 remaining in the game, following a block by an opponent which caused the NTU player to fall to the ground, #57 of Hallam stepped over the prone opponent and proceeded to stamp on him. | 4th February 2024 v Warwick Wolves | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bath Killer Bees | Kickoff was delayed by five minutes due to the late arrival of officials' assistants. Euan Paterson #165 | 4th February 2024 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
Bath Spa Bulldogs | 90-yard field marked in blue; with several lines that were not completely straight and with rugby markings in white. Hash marks at NFL-width. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No marked coaching boxes or team areas, but the five-metre rugby marks were used to indicate the approximate location of the coaching line. No limit lines. Euan Paterson #165 | Unknown |
Birmingham Lions | Field markings were very faint. There were no team areas. The chain crew were changed at half-time. One ball deflated and was replaced. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 3rd February 2024 v SGS Pride |
Bradford Bears | 90-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Lines were red and faded in some areas. All three game balls required inflation prior to the game. Team areas were missing but both teams kept to their areas reasonably well; with only a couple of indiscretions. The chains broke on two occasions causing brief pauses to the game. David Hewitt #607 | 11th February 2024 v Sheffield Sabres |
Brunel Burners | Team areas were marked to the 15-yard lines. The home team only had two game balls available, so a third ball was sourced from the visiting team. Andrew Murrell #608 | 4th February 2024 v Oxford Lancers |
Derby Braves | No markings for coaching or team areas. Andrew Lovell #559 | 11th February 2024 v DMU Lions |
Gloucester Gladiators | The home team were initially told by their venue that they would have use of the football field two hours before the scheduled kickoff. However, this agreement was changed at short notice and the field wasn't made available until shortly before the scheduled kickoff. Luckily, the teams were able to warm up on adjacent fields and so the kickoff was only delayed by around 15 minutes. It was noticed that the length of the chain set did not match up with the field markings, such that the stakes were 11 yards apart - this was quickly rectified. 100-yard field with field markings in blue, however, it was found that the end lines were incomplete and had been marked in a way that left the goalposts slightly inbounds, so the white rugby goal lines were used as the end lines (this only resulted in a couple of inches being lost at either end). Plaudits must go to both teams for a well-contested game with very few fouls and no major penalties. Amir Brooks #593 | 4th February 2024 v Swansea Titans |
Hertfordshire Hurricanes | 90-yard recently relaid artificial field marked with NFL-width hash marks. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Coaching boxes and team areas were marked with cones. Changing rooms are too small even for a crew of four, but access to two was provided to give the crew enough space. Peter Parsons #321 | 11th February 2024 v Brunel Burners |
Hull Sharks | NFL-width hash marks, so cones were used to mark correct width. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th February 2024 v Manchester Tyrants |
Kent Falcons | Well marked 90-yard field in red with other sports markings in yellow, blue, and white. Team area perimeters were marked out with cones. Rugby lines approximated for team area lines & 9-yard marks. No numbers or limit lines. The game balls supplied were in good condition but below legal pressure. Tim Ockendon #481 | Unknown |
Leicester Longhorns | NFL-width narrow hash marks, but cones were used to approximate the correct width. Three-yard marks at the two-yard line. Team areas marked with cones Brian Yates #29 | 11th February 2024 v NTU Renegades |
MMU Eagles | Upon arrival at the venue, the field markings were extremely faint and not visible in places. We were informed that the field had been remarked on Friday, but given there had been no rain since then, this did not seem plausible. Thankfully the home team were able to source some further paint and go over the faint markings to make them visible. There were several other sports markings across the field, some in contrasting colours and some not. There were no numbers or nine-yard marks. There were no coaching lines or team area markings. One game ball deflated during the game and the home team were unable to provide a replacement ball or a pump. The visiting team provided a replacement game ball. The changing rooms were not lockable. Ben Griffiths #228 | Unknown |
Newcastle Raiders | This was game two of a doubleheader. Despite the score, the game was well-contested by both teams. There was a ten-minute delay due to a player injury, thankfully he walked off the field under his own steam. Gordon Galloway #7 | 14th February 2024 v Loughborough Students |
Northumbria Mustangs | Team areas marked with cones. Field markings were in red but comfortably visible. The chain crew were slow and did not respond to instructions well. Gordon Galloway #7 | 11th February 2024 v Sunderland Spartans |
Nottingham Gold | Very faint markings. On the home team sideline, there is a line for ultimate frisbee which is only two or three inches inbounds from the football sideline. This line led to confusion on the penultimate play when the covering official rules them out of bounds, when in fact they were inbounds. The player lost the ball which was recovered by the opponent. After discussion, the ball was awarded to the home team using the inadvertent whistle protocol. It is advised that, in future, both of these lines are amalgamated into one single line Brian Yates #29 | 11th February 2024 v Loughborough Students |
NTU Renegades | 90 yard field marked as an 80-metre field. chains set to metres to avoid confusion. Kick-offs from 25-metre line. Try marks at the two-metre line. No team areas or coaches boxes. Short yard-line extensions ran into the end zone. One stoppage from repair to chain set. Brian Yates #29 | Unknown |
QMBL Vipers | Markings in blue. Try line on the two-yard line. Team areas were marked with cones. No numbers or nine-yard marks Lee Wood #517 | 4th February 2024 v Essex Blades |
Sheffield Hallam Warriors | Well-marked 90-yard field in pink with other sports markings in contrasting colours. Team areas were not marked but were delineated by cones. Perry Wayman #504 | 4th February 2024 v Warwick Wolves |
Solent Redhawks | Both teams were sporting jerseys with small numbers. Solent’s red jerseys had numbers on both front and back that were too small. The numbers on the front of Chichester’s jerseys were too small. Scott Castle #626 | Unknown |
Surrey Stingers | Slight clash of colours. The new Surrey jerseys are a very dark green/grey. At close range the distinction with Brighton's black jerseys was clear, but at longer range, it was harder. There were no actual issues with this during the game though. Dean Wright #553 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Brighton Panthers | 100-yard artificial field with dark blue American football markings that were not easily visible in the pouring rain. Viktor Janvari #63 | 11th February 2024 v Sussex Saxons |
Bristol Barracuda | The field was marked with black lines which have become faint and can be hard to see in places. Keith Wickham #423 | 11th February 2024 v Exeter Demons |
Cardiff Cobras | The lines and markings are very faint but Cardiff said they intend to repaint them before their next home game. Keith Wickham #423 | 11th February 2024 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
Coventry University Jets | Due to late notification from the home team of the revised kick-off time (noon), the game kicked off 15 minutes late on agreement with both Head Coaches - due to the late arrival of an official. Markings were dark blue on a green artificial field but were visible. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 4th February 2024 v Leicester Longhorns |
Edge Hill Vikings | No team areas marked. Short yard-line extensions were of varying distances apart and those on the sideline did not always match those infield. The game was suspended for 80 minutes in the second quarter due to a player injury. With 6:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, the head coaches and referee mutually agreed to shorten the remaining time to 0:00 due to a number of injuries for Staffordshire. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 4th February 2024 v Keele Crusaders |
Essex Blades | Kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the Essex Head Coach and an assistant coach, both London based, not arriving at the venue by the scheduled kick-off time - due to train issues. Only two game balls were available at the beginning of the game. The third game ball was supplied at half-time. NFL-width hash marks. The chain crew were supplied late and changed at halftime. William Marriage #293 | 11th February 2024 UEA Pirates |
Exeter Demons | A very strangely marked field with lines in a total of three colours (End Lines, White, Side Lines and five-yard lines Red, with the short yard-line extensions painted in blue), the latter of which were clearly sprayed on, were not straight, and had a maximum width of 0.5”. No team areas were marked. Numbered yardage markers unable to stand up or withstand the weather. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 4th February 2024 v Southampton Stags |
Glasgow University Tigers | Glasgow’s pitch has no goal posts but Glasgow provided one portable goal. Unfortunately, this was deemed unsafe and the game was played as a no-post game. Glasgow's medical cover failed to show up and all attempts to contact them failed. After a delay of 40 minutes, alternative cover was sourced and the game commenced. Henry Richardson #25 | 11th February 2024 v Aberdeen Bulls |
Imperial Immortals | A well-marked 90-yard field with no numbers or nine-yard marks. Team areas were missing. Canterbury played in borrowed Bournemouth uniform which meant black/red played navy/white but it presented no issues. The changing room was not lockable and was a short walk from the field. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 4th February 2024 v Greenwich Mariners |
KCL Regents | Due to the early start of the game, the changing rooms were not available until ~60 minutes before the originally scheduled kick-off. Daniel Clarke #311 | 11th February 2024 v QMBL Vipers |
Kingston Cougars | Medical Provision did not arrive. The crew waited until 14:00 but, despite several calls by Game Day Manager, no cover could be arranged. The goalpost needed to be swung into place. One would not stay, if the game had gone ahead one-goal mechanics would have been used. Graham Smith #149 | 4th February 2024 v UCL Emperors |
Leeds Beckett Carnegie | Field has been shortened to accommodate rugby posts so there is a superfluous line marked halfway across each end zone in the same colour as the rest of the field. Rugby marks were used for team areas. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th February 2024 v Nottingham Gold |
Leeds Gryphons | 80-yard field with no numbers, three-yard marks, or nine-yard marks. Field marked in yellow which is faded in places - especially the goal lines and inbounds short yard-line extensions. Other sports markings present in yellow, blue, and white - be mindful there is a solid, very visible, yellow line running behind the End Line which should not be confused for the actual End Line. The changing room was too small for a crew of five, although it had lockers and a shower. The room was lockable, but the crew weren’t permitted to keep the key, so most elected to lock bags in cars. Delay of five minutes to the start of the second half as the medical cover was still dealing with an injury in the physio room from the first half. Michael Hansford #594 | 11th February 2024 v Hull Sharks |
LJMU Fury | Team areas were absent and the field markings were faint in places. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 11th February 2024 v Liverpool Raptors |
Loughborough Students | Team area ends marked with cones. One change to the chain crew during the second quarter. Brian Yates #29 | 4th February 2024 v Durham Saints |
Nottingham Green | Field markings in red and faded. Other sports markings were located very close to the line. The team areas were too close to the sideline. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 11th February 2024 v Lincoln Colonials |
Oxford Lancers | Game was played at Tilsley Park due to a frozen pitch at the normal venue. Due to the late change of venue, the field had not been remarked so the lines were very faint and became difficult to see under the floodlights in the second half. The game was played in high wind with the addition of heavy rain in the second half. Yard markers needed to be weighed down so were moved a safe distance away from the field. One change to the chain crew at half time. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 11th February 2024 v Royal Holloway Bears |
Plymouth Blitz | NFL-width hash marks. The three-yard marks were at the two-yard line. The 9-yard marks were in red and very small. Otherwise, the field markings were good. Very good changing facilities for officials. Dave Moore #92 | 11th February 2024 v Worcester Royals |
Portsmouth Destroyers | 90-yard field pained in a fading orange colour. Oliver Maskell #221 | 4th February 2024 v UWE Bullets |
Reading Knights | The team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. The field was well-marked but deteriorated as the game progressed. Pete Thom #200 | 4th February 2024 v RHUL Bears |
Sheffield Sabres | No team areas so rugby markings were used as approximations. The away team did not have a printed roster but hastily produced a handwritten one before kickoff. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th February 2024 v York St. John Jaguars |
Southampton Stags | 90-yard field. A handful of stoppages of around five minutes for injuries. One change to the chain crew at half-time. Oliver Maskell #221 | 11th February 2024 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
UCLan Rams | 100-yard field marked out in blue paint with other non-football markings in other colours. No team or coaching areas were marked out on either side. The officials marked out the home team area with cones in the short time afforded. Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes with the agreement of both Head Coaches due to a scheduling error. Half-time was called with approximately 0:15 remaining in the second quarter due to a serious injury to an Edge Hill player. The second half was delayed by approximately 20 minutes for treatment and for the player to be taken to hospital. All the crew wish the player a full and speedy recovery. Peter Roberts #87 | 11th February 2024 v Lancaster Bombers |
Warwick Wolves | Faded blue markings on an artificial surface, which were very difficult to see. At one goal line the line was painted over/blended into another sport line which made it very difficult to judge the goal line. The jerseys were black for one team and dark green for the other, with white numbers and black pants. In worse light or weather, this would have been a very difficult game to officiate with the similarities in kit. Emma Payne #236 | 11th February 2024 v Coventry Jets |
York St John Jaguars | 90-yard field. No three-yard marks. Several of the game balls required inflation prior to use, with one having to be re-inflated during the game. NFL-width hash marks. David Hewitt #607 | 11th February 2024 v York Centurions |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: Team A are trailing 28-21 with 0:49 remaining in the 4th quarter. Team A attempt an onside kick form the A-35. B1 muffs the ball at the A-42 and the ball rolls toward the side line, where A5 muffs the ball at the A-46. A8 then attempts to recover the ball at the A-43 and he controls the ball laying on B8 near the sideline and he then rolls directly out of bounds at the A-43 without touching the ground (0:42). During the kick A8 blocked B8 below the waist at the A-42
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Last week | Play: It is 4th and 5 at the B-25. QB A-1 is under centre. The snap is made and the quarterback 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.
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: What are the 3 categories of Offensive Holding?
|
Last week | Game Situation: There is 30 seconds left in the game and the clock is running, both Teams have one timeout remaining. Team A commits a False Start. As this is a potential 10 second run-off; what actions should the Wing officials on a 4 man crew take? Answer: The Wing Official on the Non-Offending Team’s sideline (Team B) should speak to the Head Coach on their side of the field and check if they want the 10 second run-off enforced. The Wing Official on the Offending Team’s sideline (Team A) speak to the Head Coach on their side of the field and check if they want to use a timeout to prevent the 10 second runoff, should Team B elect to have the run-off enforced. M19.3.5.c |
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. |
