Issue 15/24 2nd May 2024
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
ANNUAL EXAM REMINDER
Firstly, thank you to the members who have already submitted their papers. Anyone who submits via the website gets an automated acknowledgement and those submitting via e-mail or Royal mail will get an email to acknowledge receipt. If you have submitted and not received an acknowledgement, please notify answers2024@bafra.info as soon as possible.
The closing date for the exam is 11th May. Any papers received after that date but before the results are in the public domain will still be marked but will be subject to a late submission penalty. The results will be published on or soon after 18th May. Please do not leave it until the last minute to make your submission as if there are any delivery issues, the penalty will be applied.
As a reminder, all qualified members must attempt the exam or lose their qualified status. This also applies to affiliate members who are protecting their qualified status. Associate and Competent Associate members in training are encouraged to attempt the exam as it will give them an assessment of their progress and an opportunity to assess their development areas with their mentor.
Pete Parsons - Acting Chair, BAFRA Exam Committee
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Simon McLean | 35 | Bournemouth Bobcats | TUF | 3 | The player committed two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. The first with 12:18 remaining in the first quarter for prolonged dissent over a no-call for roughing the passer. The second with 11:52 remaining in the third quarter for repeated dissent over a player down/fumble decision at a volume to be audible by spectators while on the sideline. After the game, it was discovered that the player was not listed with a playing number on the roster, he was only listed as the Head Coach. | 5th May 2024 v South Wales Warriors 12th May 2024 v Hereford Stampede * As this was a disqualification of a non-player, this is a whole game day suspension as opposed to just a playing suspension. Mr McLean may not be present at either game site in any capacity. | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
James Simpson | 63 | Nottingham Caesars | TUF | 4 | Player committed his first Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul in the first quarter directing an expletive towards the referee. He committed a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul in the second quarter for striking an opponent clearly after the play was over and clearly not part of game action. | 4th May 2024 v Leicester Panthers | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bournemouth Bobcats | No limit lines. Two changing rooms were provided, each of which was big enough for three people, with a shared common area. Peter Parsons #321 | 12th May 2024 v Hereford Stampede |
Bournemouth University Bobcats | Played on Bournemouth's new artificial field. Missing coaching and team areas. No nine-yard marks. Due to a busy varsity event, the officials were provided a room in the main building to change in, which was not lockable but secured by event security. Following a Bournemouth score with 5.25 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Solent's Head Coach made the decision to forfeit the game as he was running out of players to play in the game. Oliver Maskell #221 | Unknown |
Colchester Gladiators | Team areas were marked to 25-yard lines. Chain set needed repair on one occasion. Brian Yates #29 | 2nd June 2024 v Swindon Storms |
East Kent Mavericks | The school have remarked the pitch in dark blue and by using IFAF measurements have restored a 90-yard field with end zones now between 7 and 13 yards. All of the previous markings are still present but in a lighter shade of blue so some care is needed to ensure you're referencing the correct set. Various other sports markings using white, yellow and red are present. No nine-yard marks or numbers, but you can approximate with one of the other sport markings. Team areas were not marked to the 20-yard lines. An issue with changing room allocation meant that the officials were given use of the staff room, which was kept locked during the game but access could be made by anyone with an ID badge so personal belongings were locked in cars. Phil Clarke #262 | 9th June 2024 v Norwich Devils |
East Kilbride Pirates | 90-yard field marked in dark blue with rugby markings in white. Team areas were at an inconsistent depth from the sideline. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Lockable changing room only suitable for three people but the team provided a meeting room for pre-game that was suitable for all eight officials. EKP provided a game-day announcer and there was a good-sized crowd in the stands. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 26th May 2024 v Newcastle Vikings |
Gateshead Senators | 90-yard field, which had been freshly marked on the Saturday. Due to the inclement weather and regular game play, the lines gradually washed away or disappeared into the mud. Thankfully, the home team had 12 pylons in place, which allowed for lateral placement of the ball. The game balls provided were slightly low on pressure, which was rectified by the officials before the game. The posts at both ends of the field are at a slight angle, both the same and in the same direction. It is possible that was caused by the high winds in Gateshead in the days leading up to the game. Lee Taylor #183 | 12th May 2024 v Doncaster Mustangs |
Glasgow Tigers (U16) | Both games during the first round were suspended with 2:07 & 0:40 remaining due to a player injury. Play was delayed for 50 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. All four Head Coaches agreed to call each game at this point. The second round of games were delayed and quickly resumed once the player was safely off the field and the paramedic was available once again. It should be noted the professionalism, consideration, and care shown by all Head Coaches, staff, and players throughout this incident in support of the player and team affected by the injury. Frank Thomson #23 | Unknown |
Hereford Stampede | Field markings are in blue, but were very faint in places. This was due to a combination of heavy rainfall and the rugby club playing three matches on the field, which resulted in the field surface being cut up in places which badly affected some of the five-yard lines and inbounds short yard line extension. Hereford had not been permitted to remark the field prior to the game. The inbounds markings were especially faint, which sometimes made spotting the ball difficult. The officials are given two changing rooms each sized for three officials, which were not locked during the game. One stoppage to fix the chain set. Amir Brooks #593 | 26th May 2024 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
Inverclyde Goliaths | Team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. Ian Sneddon #427 | 19th May 2024 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
Lancashire Wolverines | 90-yard field with other non-football markings. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No limit lines. Otherwise, an excellent game played in the right spirit by both teams. Peter Roberts #87 | 26th May 2024 v Staffordshire Surge |
London Hornets | Well-marked 90-yard field in white. No limit lines and the coaching and team area lines were at incorrect distances. The field surface was poor with areas of standing water but was not hazardous and did not significantly deteriorate as the game progressed. The game balls provided were all worn, two were at incorrect pressure, one of which developed a faulty valve when re-inflated to the correct pressure and had to be replaced. Good size changing room but no private shower or toilet facilities. Kick-off was delayed by ten minutes due to roster problems during card check. Tim Ockendon #481 | 12th May 2024 v Portsmouth Dreadnoughts |
Newcastle Vikings | Team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines, so both teams were made aware of the correct areas. Kenneth Glover #71 | 19th May 2024 v Edinburgh Wolves |
Oxford Saints | No team areas were marked. The field was well marked and clearly visible in a powder blue colour and there were other sports markings in white. The changing room was cramped for a standard-size crew. Andrew Murrell #608 | 12th May 2024 v Wembley Stallions |
Plymouth Vanguard | The changing rooms were very small, suitable for a maximum of three. End zones were only just seven yards in size. A ball person disappeared just before kickoff and was replaced after the first kickoff. NFL-width hash marks on the field corrected with cones on end lines Dave Moore #92 | Unknown |
Portsmouth Destroyers | Field marked with lines in a mix of orange and red, with the orange being easily visible and the red much harder to see. No marked coaches box or team area. The changing room was not lockable. The game was called at halftime due to injuries to the visiting team. Peter Parsons #321 | Unknown |
Sheffield Giants | Well-marked but faint 90-yard field with other sports markings in contrasting colours. Perry Wayman #504 | 19th May 2024 v Humber Warhawks |
Shropshire Revolution | Field markings were in white, with other sports markings on the field also in white. The field surface had several divots filled in with sand pre-game. Emma Payne #236 | 19th May 2024 v Nottingham Caesars |
Solent Thrashers | Team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. The ten-yard lines at both ends were marked in a different colour to the rest of the field and had faded badly. The changing room provided for a crew of six was suitable only for two or three officials. Oliver Maskell #221 | 14th July 2024 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
Swindon Storm (U19) | Two well-marked fields. The officials' changing room was not large, so the crews changed in two shifts. Peter Parsons #321 | Unknown |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Cambridgeshire Cats | Team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. Brian Yates #29 | 5th May 2024 v Solent Thrashers |
Chester Romans | Due to serious traffic disruption, the visiting team were delayed in arriving, which resulted in the kickoff being slightly delayed. Team areas were absent. Some inbounds short yad line extensions were unevenly spaced. Paul Todd #289 | 26th May 2024 v Sheffield Giants |
Chester Romans (U19) | Kickoff was slightly delayed due to the non-arrival of the booked medics. Play was able to proceed after alternative medical cover was found to be available. Team areas were absent. Spacing of inbounds short yad line extensions was uneven in places. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field marked in blue on green. Paul Todd #289 | 26th May 2024 v Nottingham Caesars (U19) |
Clyde Valley Blackhawks | Hash marks were marked to incorrect width, so cones were placed outside of the end lines to mark the correct width. Coaching/Team areas marked to 25-yard lines. Kenneth Glover #71 | 2nd June 2024 v Inverclyde Blackhawks |
Darlington Steam | Reasonably well-marked 100-yard artificial field. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Team areas were missing but both teams kept to the correct areas. Both goals were two yards behind the end lines but this didn't have any impact on the game. All three game balls were under-inflated and needed pumping up prior to use. David Hewitt #607 | 19th May 2024 v Gateshead Senators |
Doncaster Mustangs | One change of personnel on the chain crew at halftime. Eight-yard end zones and a couple of wonky lines. Joel Pearson #405 | 26th May 2024 v Wakefield District Raiders |
Edinburgh Wolves | Well-marked field, but team/coaching areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. Ian Sneddon #427 | 5th May 2024 v Tamworth Phoenix |
Essex Tridents | Field has had team areas, coaches' lines and players' lines marked correctly. Hashes are wider than the previous week but a little too narrow. Other markings were in blue with American Football markings in white. Ground was uneven but playable. The changing room is not lockable Lee Wood #517 | 19th May 2024 v Ipswich Cardinals |
Highland Stags | Some holes on the field but these were filled in sufficiently by game management prior to kick off. Kenneth Glover #71 | 12th May 2024 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
Leigh Miners | Team areas were absent. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 12th May 2024 v Lancashire Wolverines |
Manchester Titans | 80-yard field as Manchester have been granted an extension to rule 1-2-1 for 2024. There were other sports markings present, some of which were also in white but did not create an issue. Lee Taylor #183 | 19th May 2024 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Manchester Titans (U19) | 80-yard field. There were other sports markings present, some of which were also in white but did not create an issue. Lee Taylor #183 | 19th May 2024 v Chorley Buccaneers |
Merseyside Nighthawks | Field well marked. No team areas were marked, but cones were used. John Roberts #145 | 12th May 2024 v Tamworth Phoenix |
Newcastle Vikings | 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones. No limit lines. Team areas were incorrectly marked. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No three-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 28th April 2024 v Manchester Titans |
NE Academy Giants (U19) | 90-yard field. No limit lines. Team areas were incorrectly marked. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 19th May 2024 v Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19) |
Nottingham Caesars | Coaching' boxes were too close to the sideline. Other markings were in a similar colour (red) to the gridiron markings. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th May 2024 v Leicester Panthers |
Nottingham Caesars (U19) | Coaching' boxes were too close to the sideline. Other markings were in a similar colour (red) to the gridiron markings. One stoppage for 12 minutes due to neck injury. Joel Pearson #405 | 14th July 2024 v Birmingham Lions |
Ouse Valley Eagles | The changing room was shared with Rugby Referees. The room was not lockable. Crew were locked in the changing area whilst junior rugby players changed after their match. Well-marked 100-yard Field. The game was suspended at 16:25 for 40 mins with 7:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, whilst an injured Ipswich player was attended to. It was reported that there would be a 1h45 wait for an ambulance. At 17:00 the Head Coaches agreed to shorten the fourth quarter to 0:00 due to concerns over the player and the possible 1900 restart. Graham Smith #149 | 19th May 2024 v Cornwall Monarchs |
Rushmoor Knights | Several holes were filled in before kick-off and other mess was dealt with on this public field. The chain crew and ball boys presented late and the away team were asked to provide a ball person for the game. The goals were too wide. The changing room was tight but ok and lockable. Oliver Maskell #221 | 5th May 2024 v London Hornets |
Rushmoor Knights (U19) | New venue. The changing room is just about big enough for a crew and was lockable. A couple of holes were discovered in the field surface on initial inspection. These were filled prior to the game. No limit lines. Marks were placed at the top and bottom of where the numbers should be. Both sets of hash marks in the middle of the field were uneven in terms of lining up with the inbounds lines. The goal posts at both ends were constructed from a soccer goal, so the crossbar was 8ft high and the uprights were 24ft apart. One ball person and two members of the chain crew changed at half time. Peter Parsons #321 | 5th May 2024 v Somerset Wyverns |
Scunthorpe Alphas | Team areas were marked to 25-yard lines. Otherwise, field was excellent. Dave Black #574 | 19th May 2024 v Yorkshire Rams |
Somerset Wyverns | The changing room is suitable for a maximum of three officials. Officials used a team changing room when vacant. Chains broke once. Dave Moore #92 | 23rd June 2024 v Hereford Stampede |
Somerset Wyverns (U19) | The officials’ changing room is sized for 3 people (maximum) and is not lockable. One change was made to the chain crew at half-time. In the third quarter, the game was suspended for approximately 30 minutes to treat an injured player. Amir Brooks #593 | 19th May 2024 v Rushmoor Knights |
Swindon Storm | Changing rooms were small, unlockable, and was being used as storage space for various items. Darren Urben #438 | 12th May 2024 v Sussex Thunder |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
Play of the Week Will Return when the Exam Period has concluded |
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. |
