NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Ikenna Edmund

76

Kent Exiles

FGT

4

Fighting with an opponent.

16th June 2024 v London Blitz B

Michael Kikiowo

66

London Olympians

FGT

4

Fighting with an opponent.

16th June 2024 v East Kent Mavericks

Samuel Byrne

50

Wembley Stallions (U16)

FGT

1

With 5:51 remaining in the first half of the second game of the tournament, against Rushmoor, after the play was over, #50 left his sideline and came onto the field to deliver a blow to the back of an opponent whom he believed had fouled a teammate of his.

13th July 2024 - First Game of Next Tournament at London Blitz (U16)

Previous weeks

Bow Alade

97

Edinburgh Wolves

FUC

4

As players were un-piling, #97 was tangled with another player. As they got to their feet, they shouted and, twice, clearly and loudly swore at the Umpire.

23rd June 2024 v Merseyside Nighthawks

(Moses) Olumide Adekoya

5

London Olympians

TUF

4

#5 committed two Unsportsmanlike Conduct fouls in the game. The first was for using abusive language towards opposition players and the second, with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, was for a celebration directly opposite the Exiles team area.

16th June 2024 v East Kent Mavericks

Jahlaw Stewart

33

Sheffield Giants U19

TUF

3

During the first quarter, Number 33 was observed retaliating as part of an altercation following a late hit. This resulted in his first unsportsmanlike conduct foul. With 4:48 remaining in the third quarter, Number 33 received a pass to score a touchdown. He then put his hand to his ear in an action of taunting an opponent.This resulted in his second unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

16th June 2024 v Birmingham Lions

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Chester Romans (U16)

No down markers were available on either field and, due to a cricket game also being played, only one officials’ changing room was made available which was only big enough for two officials.

Ian Rogers #625

Unknown

Clyde Valley Blackhawks

The coaches' boxes were too close to the sideline and marked out to 25-yard lines.

Shawn Sombati #15

30th June 2024 v Glasgow Tigers

Darlington Steam

The changing room the officials were offered was not large enough for a crew of three never mind a crew of five. In the room, there was a shower, a toilet, and two exercise bikes. The shower curtain had been removed to provide space for some coat hangers. As a result, the crew waited for the home team to finish changing and then used the now-empty room to get ready for the game. The pitch was well marked as 100 IFAF yards with 10-yard endzones. The posts at both ends are plastic pipes fixed to soccer goals. As a result, the crossbar is considerably lower than usual.

Lee Taylor #183

Unknown

East Kilbride Pirates

Blue lines used for the playing field that overlapped white rugby lines.

Shawn Sombati #15

23rd June 2024 v Tamworth Phoenix

Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19)

The field had recently been re-marked, some lines were not the straightest! Team areas were marked with cones.

Gordon Galloway #7

13th July 2024 v East Kilbride Pirates

Edinburgh Napier Knights (U16)

The groundsman had marked the field in metres and had included the endzones within the field of play, creating some legal but short fields. The teams agreed to proceed with these lined fields rather than introduce any coned lines.

Ali May #42

Unknown

Essex Tridents

The changing room was large enough but not lockable.

Pete Thom #200

Unknown

Humber Warhawks

No nine-yard marks or three-yard marks.

Joel Pearson #405

28th July 2024 v Yorkshire Rams

Leicester Panthers

The field was marked in yellow and, other than the sidelines, somewhat faintly. Team areas were marked with cones. With 2:12 remaining in the third quarter, the game was suspended for 62 minutes to allow for treatment of an injured player and, once he was removed, for the teams to adequately warm up again.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

23rd June 2024 v Birmingham Bulls

Leigh Miners

The field was marked as a 100-yard field, but with non-standard IFAF-yards (shorter than a standard IFAF-yard). The goalposts were slightly offset from the endline. Team areas were absent.

Paul Todd #289

21st July 2024 v Lancashire Wolverines

London Olympians

A few delays of more than five minutes for injuries..

Dean Wright #553

16th June 2024 v East Kent Mavericks

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, although visible close-up, are harder to see at a distance. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. The changing room is in the SU building but not lockable. The down box is of the NFL style "dial-a-down" and is broken, which meant it was difficult to show 1 and 2 clearly. One ball person was replaced at halftime.

Andrew Murrell #608

14th July 2024 v London Blitz

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, although visible close-up, are harder to see at a distance. No numbers or limit lines and rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. The changing room is in the SU building but not lockable. The down box is of the NFL style "dial-a-down" and is broken, which meant it was difficult to show 1 and 2 clearly.

Andrew Murrell #608

14th July 2024 v Ipswich Cardinals

Merseyside Nighthawks

No coaches or team areas were marked, but other lines were utilised for the team area. At one point, the game was reduced to one game ball whilst the other were retrieved from outside the ground.

John Roberts #145

14th July 2024 v Newcastle Vikings

Solent Seahawks (U16)

Lines on the field were slim.

Scott Castle #626

Unknown

Shropshire Revolution

The home team contacted the Referee prior to arrival at the ground (approximately 2.5 hours before kick-off) to inform the crew that the venue had not marked out the field, however they were attempting to fix it. Upon arrival, the home team were marking the field with spray paint cans. The field was painted in 3 different colours due to the white paint running out. Despite some lines being thinner than regulation, overall the field was well-marked, given the circumstance. Kick-off was pushed back by half an hour to allow the home team to finish marking the field. The field surface had several divots filled in with sand. Changing rooms are not lockable.

Emma Payne #236

Unknown

Tamworth Phoenix

Excellently marked artificial field. Team Areas were marked incorrectly to the 15-yard lines. Missing nine-yard marks. Otherwise, there were no problems with the game balls, stadium clocks (if present), the changing facilities, the medical facilities, the chains, or the officials' assistants. There was a brief interruption of play in the fourth quarter, the down box was moved inadvertently and the officials were unable to rectify the situation. This led to a coach's challenge but as R was unable to rectify the situation, the series was continued from the erroneous location.

Stuart Tabberer #348

16th June 2024 v Manchester Titans

Tamworth Phoenix (U19)

Excellently marked artificial field. Team Areas were marked incorrectly to the 15-yard lines. Missing nine-yard marks. Otherwise, there were no problems with the game balls, stadium clocks (if present), the changing facilities, the medical facilities, the chains, or the officials' assistants.

Stuart Tabberer #348

14th July 2024 v Northants Knights

Yorkshire Rams

No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines.

David Hewitt #607

23rd June 2024 v Sheffield Giants

Wembley Stallions (U16)

Two 50-yard fields, with ten-yard end zones, excellently marked in white including main yard lines every five yards, yardage markers every ten yards, and team areas between the ten-yard lines. Down boxes and operators were provided for both fields. Good size lockable changing room but with no private toilet.

Tim Ockendon #481

Unknown

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Berkshire Renegades

A couple of holes were found in the field which were filled prior to kickoff by the groundsman.

Scott Castle #626

30th June 2024 v Ipswich Cardinals

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

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

Bristol Aztecs

Brand new venue for the Bristol Aztecs. Two small changing rooms were provided. Field marked in yellow with 1cm thick lines. Not at all visible if looking into the sun. Hash marks and short yard line extensions 6 inches in length. No team areas were marked.

Stuart Tabberer #348

16th June 2024 v London Warriors

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

Some field markings were faint or almost missing e.g. short yard extensions at the sideline. The field will need remarking before the next game at this venue. Very little space for the visiting team on the sideline. Coaches and player boxes marked with cones. Little space for HL to work. Changing rooms were not lockable and only really adequate for two (not six) officials.

Mike Cavanagh #465

14th July 2024 v Yorkshire Rams

Chester Romans (U19)

The changing room was very small for a crew of five. No Team area was marked for the visiting team.

Andrew Lovell #559

23rd June 2024 v Sandwell Steelers

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)

Colchester Gladiators

Well marked field and good playing surface. Changing rooms not lockable but big enough for the crew. Plenty of water supplied during the game

Graham Smith #149

30th June 2024 v Essex Tridents

Doncaster Mustangs

Well-marked 90-yard field. Team areas were marked out between the 25-yard lines. The second half kick-off was delayed by approx. 55 minutes due to a thunderstorm that arrived as the first half was ending.

David Hewitt #607

30th June 2024 v Darlington Steam

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

Gateshead Senators

Endzones were uneven in length. The field is due to be remarked as several lines are faded and this should be rectified by the next home game.

Ali May #42

21st July 2024 v Darlington Steam

Glasgow Tigers

There were a few areas that could be improved, but a lawnmower should probably be top of the team's list.

Ian Sneddon #427

16th June 2024 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks

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

Ipswich Cardinals

Well-marked field on a good playing surface. Changing rooms are capacious and close to the field, but not lockable. Rugby goals in the home team area had padding around lower posts.

Graham Smith #149

16th June 2024 v Berkshire Renegades

Kent Exiles

Excellent gameday management and a well-marked 90-yard field, only missing nine-yard marks/field numbers. The changing room allocated to the officials was extremely spacious but not lockable. Crews should account for the 5+ minute walk to the field, the Exiles do have several gazebos up so drinks can be left behind the team area in the shade.

Phil Clarke #262

30th June 2024 v London Blitz B

Lancashire Wolverines

100-yard field marked in blue with no numbers, limit lines, or marked team areas.

Andrew Swift #403

16th June 2024 v Sandweel Steelers

Lincolnshire Bombers

Lincolnshire have remarked their field and it is now legal - a well-marked 90-yard field missing only nine-yard marks. However, some moles have moved in making a small section of the field softer than ideal. The crew did not fit in the referees’ changing room so moved into an empty team changing room.

Joel Pearson #405

16th June 2024 v Doncaster Mustangs

London Blitz

100-yard field marked in white. Some lines were crooked but not majorly so. No numbers or nine-yard marks and team areas were marked with cones. One set of goal posts cannot stay straight in the wind so they had to be adjusted by team personnel with sticks before kicks at goal to the shot-put end. Lockable changing room provided to fit a crew of five and seat four. No shower, but a private toilet was available but had no light. However, the room is clearly being renovated for future improvement.

James Ford-Bannister #479

16th June 2024 v Solent Thrashers

London Blitz B

100-yard field marked in white. Some lines were crooked but not majorly so. No numbers or nine-yard marks and team areas were marked with cones. One set of goal posts cannot stay straight in the wind so they had to be adjusted by team personnel with sticks before kicks at goal to the shot-put end. Lockable changing room provided to fit a crew of five and seat four. No shower, but a private toilet was available but had no light. However, the room is clearly being renovated for future improvement.

James Ford-Bannister #479

16th June 2024 v Kent Exiles

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 Hornets

The changing room was spacious but had no private shower and could not be locked.

Keith Wickham #423

30th June 2024 v Oxford Saints

London Warriors (NWFL)

Field markings were blue on green and were fading. These will need to be re-marked at some point this season. There was one brief stoppage for a repair of the chains.

Daniel Clarke #311

22nd June 2024 v Solent Thrashers

Manchester Titans

80-yard field. Other sports markings present.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

21st July 2024 v Newcastle Vikings

Manchester Titans (NWFL)

Freshly marked 80-yard field. The home team's jerseys were illegal due to non-contrasting numbers. Therefore the home team were penalised in accordance with Rule [1-4-5-c].

Steve Hall #512

3rd August 2024 v Teesside Steelers

Manchester Titans (U19)

The field was well-marked but lines were becoming faded and difficult to see in bright sunlight. Multiple changes to officials' assistants.

John Roberts #145

21st July 2024 v North East Giants (U19)

North East Giants (U19)

No three-yard lines.

Ali May #42

4th August 2024 v Manchester Titans

Norwich Devils

With 5:47 remaining in the first quarter, a Norwich player sustained a back injury, which was deemed to require an emergency ambulance. The game was suspended for 1 hour 37 mins until this arrived.

Brian Yates #29

23rd June 2024 v East Kent Mavericks

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

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

Really well-marked 100-yard field. No numbers or limit lines and team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines. The changing room could not be locked but was sufficient for a crew of five.

James Ford-Bannister #479

14th July 2024 v Colchester Gladiators

Sandwell Steelers

The start of the game was delayed by around 15 minutes due to lightning..

Paul Todd #289

30th June 2024 v Staffordshire Surge

Scunthorpe Alphas

No three-yard marks but an otherwise well-marked 90-yard field. The changing room was a disabled toilet but was furnished with chairs and a table containing sweet treats.

Joel Pearson #405

30th June 2024 v Chester Romans

Sheffield Giants

90-yard field marked in black with other sports markings present in a variety of different colours. There were no team or coaches areas but these were lined with cones and both teams managed to remain within their respective areas extremely well.

Lee Taylor #183

21st July 2024 v Scunthorpe Alphas

Sheffield Giants (U19)

The field was marked in black. While dark, the markings were clearly visible. There were some conflicting Navy coloured markings very close to the Football markings. There were white field markings closer than four feet and an end zone line. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No limit lines or team areas were marked. Two changing rooms were provided for the officials; each was big enough only for one person and they were not lockable.

Ben Griffiths #228

16th June 2024 v Birmingham Lions (U19)

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

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

No nine-yard marks. Inbounds and sideline short yard-line extensions were too thin (about two inches thick), although the spacing problems from the last game appear to have been remedied. One game ball was replaced after it was lost in a neighbouring car park following a PAT.

Amir Brooks #593

30th June 2024 v Hereford Stampede

Staffordshire Surge

A member of the chain crew was changed at half time due to illness. Multiple events at Stafford Rugby Club meant officials were asked to change in the gym. Rugby club staff advised it would be locked during the game and not used, At half time, despite reassurances, officials found the gym was not locked and and several people not related to either club were using the gym. Officials were asked to vacate and they used a conference room instead.

Andrew Lovell #559

16th June 2024 v Leigh Miners

Sussex Thunder

Changing rooms were dirty and had a leak.

Scott Castle #626

23rd June 2024 v Essex Tridents

Teesside Steelers (NWFL)

The field had been marked as 85 yards with the distance between some "five-yard" lines being marked with 5 short yard-line extensions and measuring six yards. The field was shortened to 80 yards and played in one direction to accommodate this.

Ali May #42

20th July 2024 v Peterborough Royals

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: Try Down from the B-3 yard line, there is 10 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter. Team A score a (1 point) Field Goal on the Try, during the down Team B line up a defensive lineman within the frame of the body of the snapper.

Ruling?

Last week

Play: Team A 1st and 10 from the B-16 Yard line. There are 3 seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback A11 attempts a forward pass which falls incomplete. After A11 releases the pass defender B98 launches himself and forcibly contacts A11 in the helmet. Time expired during the down. A11 lands awkwardly and requires brief medical attention for an injury to his non-throwing hand. R informs the Team B head coach of the disqualification and by the time B98 has left the field, A11 states to the Referee that he is able to continue to play.

Ruling: Team A, 1st and Goal from the B-18 Yard Line the game is extended for one untimed down. The play clock should be set to 25 seconds.

Team B are penalised for Roughing the Passer with Targeting and B98 is disqualified. A11 cannot play in the next down even though the injury was the result of an opponents foul.

(3-3-5-a-1)

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: In a game that is being broadcast live, when may a media timeout be taken?

Answer next issue…

Last week

Game Situation: The opening kick-off of the game results in a Touchback, on the ensuing play from scrimmage Team A complete a pass for 9 yards. Team A substitute their Wide Receivers to bring in extra Running Backs, Team B make matching Substitutes. The Umpire moves towards the snapper and instructs him not to snap the ball. The Quarterback calls out the cadence and the snapper, snaps the ball.

Answer: As this is a first offence suit the play down and issue Team A with a warning, for any subsequent instances by the same team, they should be penalised for Delay of Game (M3.4.1.e).

Date

Event

Contact for details

2024

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.