NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Oliver Willett

6

Chester Romans

TUF

4

Player received his first Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty in the third quarter for standing over a prone opponent and using an expletive. He received his second with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter for making a “crying” gesture towards the opposition sideline.

26th May 2024 v Sheffield Giants

Oliver Smith

36

Highland Stags

FPF

1

With 4:20 remaining in the first quarter, #36 was engaged in a block, he disengaged the block and then re-engaged by grabbing the defender's shirt and head-butting his opponent.

2nd June 2024 v Glasgow Tigers

Demilade Soyoye

0

Rushmoor Knights

TUF

3

With 12:20 remaining in the third quarter, after the ball carrier had gone out of bounds, #0 was observed to forcefully shove an opponent away from the play, drawing a first Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. On the following play, with 12:04 remaining in the third quarter. #0 was observed again shoving an opponent after the play resulting in a second unsportsmanlike penalty.

26th May 2024 v London Hornets

2nd June 2024 v Portsmouth Dreadnoughts

Previous weeks

Stuart Burrows

40

Berkshire Renegades

TGC

2

#40 was seen to crouch and lead with the crown of his helmet to the chest of an opposing receiver.

19th May 2024 v Swindon Storm

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Bournemouth Bobcats

90-yard field, slightly rutty in areas. Two changing rooms big enough for three officials each were provided, but these were otherwise adequate. One game ball malfunctioned during the pregame checking and, during the game, some balls were temporarily lost amongst nettles behind one of the goals.

Oliver Maskell #221

30th June 2024 v Somerset Wyverns

Caledonia Chaos (NWFL)

The third and final game of this tournament was abandoned with around nine minutes remaining, following an injury to a Newcastle Shieldmaiden. Newcastle had lost a few players to injury and, with it being a long day played in very hot conditions, it was felt it was better to stop at that point. All teams were in agreement with this.

Henry Richardson #25

27th July - Tournament

Cambridge Pythons

No limit lines. Coaches area only extended to the 25-yard lines. Chains broke a number of times and the down marker broke once. No dedicated changing room. The crew changed in the board room and other people were having to access it.

Gerry Mellough #79

Unknown

Chorley Buccaneers (U19)

The game was played at the University of Manchester. 100-yard field marked in blue with no numbers, nine-yard marks, three-yard marks, or limit lines. Team areas were marked out with cones.

Andrew Swift #403

16th June 2024 v Manchester Titans (U19)

Gateshead Senators

No limit lines, nine-yard marks or numbers.

Henry Richardson #25

26th May 2024 v Lincolnshire Bombers

Highland Stags

The chains had to be repaired and lengthened slightly prior to kickoff. Field markings were faint and difficult to see, they will need re-marking prior to the next game at this venue. The ground was uneven.

Gordon Galloway #7

23rd June 2024 v Glasgow Tigers

Humber Warhawks

No nine-yard marks or three-yard marks. A couple of wonky lines, possibly due to the undulating field surface.

Joel Pearson #405

9th June 2024 v Scunthorpe Alphas

Ipswich Cardinals

Well-marked field. Team areas were between the 30-yard lines and goal post uprights were shorter than standard rugby posts. With 3:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, one of the on-field officials suffered a medical issue. At this point, both head coaches agreed to shorten the fourth quarter to 0:00 given the treatment time needed and also further heat-related concerns.

Andrew Murrell #608

26th May 2024 v Colchester Gladiators

Leigh Miners

Changing room too small for a crew of four. No team area marked. Goals were ~1 yard behind each endline.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

9th June 2024 v Staffordshire Surge

London Hornets

Coaching box line marked three feet from the sideline, with team area line at nine feet on both sides. Both areas were also marked to the 25-yard lines. No limit lines. Field surface was a little uneven in places and a little soft in others, after previous rain. Changing room was spacious but not lockable.

Peter Parsons #321

26th May 2024 v Rushmoor Knights

London Olympians

The field has been remarked in blue as a 100-yard field. This put the goals five yards inside the endzone. To resolve this, the goal lines were moved to the five-yard lines resulting in a 90-yard field.

Lee Wood #517

9th June 2024 v Kent Exiles

London Warriors

Faintly marked 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones in blue and other sports markings in yellow, white, and red. The field markings will need re-marking prior to the next game at this venue. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Well-appointed changing room but not lockable.

Tim Ockendon #481

26th May 2025 v Solent Thrashers

Merseyside Nighthawks

90-yard field, markings were clearly visible however some of the main lines were not totally straight. No numbers of limit lines. Team area marked with cones. Ball person on away team sideline was changed in the second half due to the original ball person having to leave.

Steve Hall #512

9th June 2024 v Manchester Titans

Nottingham Caesars

The field markings were in red, along with some markings for other sports) and were extremely faint and very hard to see. The field will need re-marking before the next game at this venue. No limit lines. Coaching boxes and team areas were not marked all the way to the 20-yard lines and were too close to the field on both sides.

Richard Whitby #136

14th July 2024 v Shropshire Revolution

Rushmoor Knights (U16)

Fields were marked using the width of the 11v11 field, so were 53 1/3 yards long. Solid lines marked for sidelines, end lines and goal lines. Midfield and no-run zone were marked with cones at the sideline.

Peter Parsons #321

Unknown

Solent Seahawks (U19)

The markings at both ten-yard lines were used from the soccer field. Furthermore, the lines were beginning to fade. It was deemed workable on the day but require re-marking before the next game at this venue.

Scott Castle #626

Unknown

Solent Thrashers (NWFL)

Team areas marked to 25-yard lines. Lines at ten yards different to the rest of the field. Goals overhang endzones slightly.

Oliver Maskell #221

20th July 2024 v Birmingham Lions

South London Renegades (U19)

The field has been remarked in blue as a 100-yard field. This put the goals five yards inside the endzone. To resolve this, the goal lines were moved to the five-yard lines resulting in a 90-yard field.

Lee Wood #517

16th June 2024 v London Warriors (U19)

South Wales Warriors

The changing room was not lockable. 90-yard field with eight-yard endzones. The field had been re-marked since last week's downpour and the previous issue with the coaching/team areas has now been fixed. No nine-yard marks. Inbounds and sideline short yard-line extensions were too thin (about two inches thick) and were unevenly spaced in places.

Amir Brooks #593

26th May 2024 v Somerset Wyverns

Swindon Storm

The changing rooms could not be locked.

Jon Husband #304

9th June 2024 v Berkshire Renegades

Yorkshire Rams

No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Team areas were marked out between the 25-yard lines. Several inbounds markings didn't necessarily line up with the corresponding sideline markings.

David Hewitt #607

9th June 2024 v Chester Romans

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Birmingham Lions Academy (U19)

Markings were slightly faint, which will be corrected for the next game.

Krister Halvorsen #77

21st July 2024 v Nottingham Caesars

Cambridgeshire Cats

Field marking feint in places but usable. They will need re-marking prior to the next game at this venue.

Lee Wood #517

16th June 2024 v Hertfordshire Cheetahs

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 yard 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

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

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

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

Edinburgh Wolves

90- yard field. No limit lines or three-yard marks. Team areas were missing but marked out using cones. The lines were painted in yellow and very faint but the major issue was an athletics track, which was painted in bright white on the field. It comprised an oval running track that went over the sidelines and curved around just short of the goal lines and five sprinting lanes that ran diagonally from pylon to pylon across the field. It was extremely difficult to locate the football lines. There were also rugby markings in light blue. The field needs to be appropriately remarked prior to any future game. The away team made it clear that they would not have played the game had they not just travelled a significant distance to play. All three game balls needed inflating prior to use. Half-time was extended to 30 minutes as the changing facilities were a long walk from the field and several players needed to use the toilet. Both head coaches agreed with this.

David Hewitt #607

23rd June 2024 v Merseyside Nighthawks

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

Glasgow Tigers

Team areas marked out to 25-yard lines.

Ian Sneddon #427

2nd June 2024 v Highland Stags

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 field will need re-marking prior to the next game at this venue.

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

Kent Exiles

Well-marked 90-yard field. Changing rooms were not lockable and a walk from the field.

Graham Smith #149

19th May 2024 v London Olympians

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

Lincolnshire Bombers

The game kicked off 30 minutes after the advertised time due to the late arrival of the visiting team due to road delays. Field marked as 100 IFAF yards, missing only nine-yard marks. End zones appear to be ten actual yards.

Joel Pearson #405

2nd June 2024 v Wakefield District Raiders

London Blitz (U19)

Much improved markings. The field surface has been worked on, but was still a little soft in places. Team areas were not marked to the 20-yard lines. No limit lines. One goalpost is tilted. The changing room has been cleaned and cleared out. It also now has a working toilet.

Peter Parsons #321

14th July 2024 v South London Renegades

London Warriors (U19)

Faintly marked 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones in blue and other sports markings in yellow, white, and red. The field markings will need re-marking prior to the next game at this venue. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Well-appointed changing room but not lockable.

Tim Ockendon #481

9th June 2024 v London Blitz

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

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

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 (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

Sandwell Steelers

End Zone size was minimum allowed by rule. Changing room’s lock was not working.

Andrew Lovell #559

26th May2024 v Leigh Miners

Sandwell Steelers (U19)

End Zone size was minimum allowed by rule. Changing room’s lock was not working.

Andrew Lovell #559

26th May 2024 v Sheffield Giants

Scunthorpe Alphas

Team areas were marked to 25-yard lines. Otherwise, field was excellent.

Dave Black #574

19th May 2024 v Yorkshire Rams

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

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

Sussex Thunder

Well-marked 90-yard field marked in white. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No Team areas or Coaches' box. Limit lines were at 12ft.

Changing room was only suitable for three people so a larger team room was commandeered when they went out to the field. Changing rooms were generally very dirty and bags were stored in cars.

A good crowd were in attendance and the home team also provided a scoreboard. Game day management was generally excellent but one ball did require a small amount of additional inflation.

James Ford-Bannister #479

26th May 2024 v Cornwall Monarchs

Wakefield District Raiders

80-yard field, which had a significant slope from one sideline to the other. There were no numbers or nine-yard marks. It was a grass field, which varied from extremely short and barren grass to some areas where the grass was over six inches long. There were a significant amount of dandelions, daisies and other wildflowers growing on the field. The field was extremely bumpy and uneven, though none of the bumps constituted a trip hazard. There were no limit lines. The team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines. The changing room provided for the officials was large enough for one person and home to spiders. The crew located another changing room that was not being used. The changing rooms were not lockable. The shower provided was unclean and stopped working completely when anyone flushed the toilet.

Prior to the game, it was observed that the numerals on the back of most Wakefield Jerseys were only approximately five inches high. The Head Coach was advised of the problem and asked if he had alternate Jerseys. He stated he did not, that he was aware of the problem, and advised that new Jerseys had been ordered. The requisite penalties were applied during the game.

Ben Griffiths #228

23rd June 2024 v Darlington Steam

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: A12 throws a forward pass intended for A89. Dur ing the pass, defensive end B88 is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The pass to A89 is complete for a 10-yard gain to the A-30 where A88 is tackled.

Ruling?

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: On a field goal attempt, Defender B93 tips the ball at the line of scrimmage in an attempt to block the kick. What signal should the Umpire give?

Answer next issue…

Date

Event

Contact for details

2024

18th May 2024

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

6th July 2024

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

9th November 2024

BAFRA Board Meeting

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.