ROSTER FORMS
A gentle reminder that it is a requirement for the referee to be in possession of both teams' roster forms before the game kicks off.
BAFA Regulation 5.1 says that a roster form must contain each person's BAFA registration number, forename, surname and jersey number or sideline role (e.g. head coach, assistant coach, physio, other sideline personnel). If any of that information is missing, then the roster form is incomplete and should be returned to the team.
Teams can download a blank roster form from https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BAFRA-roster-template-Aug-20-21.docx
If players typically wear the same number in each game, this only needs to be completed once per season and then updated with the date and opponent for each subsequent game. This is much preferred to giving the referee a copy of the photo roster that the teams exchange, because that is usually too bulky to fit into the referee's pocket.
Similarly, the Regulations require that the Referee give each team a list of the game officials. This can be in the form of the coaches card (for feedback).
Regulation 5.1.8 says "The game shall not commence until all lists have been provided and meet the requirements above".
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Jim Briggs - Chair, BAFA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Ian Whitehead | 4 | East Kent Mavericks | TUF | 4 | Late in the third quarter, after a successful try, #4 instigated a sequence of dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct fouls for pushing/shoving/incendiary language, resulting in four players being penalised - three East Kent and one Colchester. In the third quarter, with 4:13 remaining after an unsuccessful third-down play by Colchester, #4 faced and moved toward the Colchester sideline and taunted opponents. | 11th May 2025 v Essex Tridents | |
Charles Chemali | 10 | Rushmoor Knights | TUF | 4 | With 12:48 remaining in the first quarter, #10 and an opponent were engaged in a dead ball physical altercation that then sparked a wider fracas. With 5:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, after intercepting the ball, #10 then pushed the ball into an opponent's face, which was deemed an act of taunting. | 11th May 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats | |
Stanley Ejike-Ume | 55 | Rushmoor Knights | FUC | 1 | With 12:48 remaining in the first quarter, during a dead-ball fracas, #55 was observed to charge into an opponent and headbutt them. | 11th May 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats | |
Lewis Mason | 24 | Swindon Storm | FPF | 2 | With 5:16 remaining in the second quarter, after the play was over, #24 was seen to forcibly headbutt an opponent whom he believed had fouled him.. | 11th May 2025 v Hereford Stampede | |
Paul Osayande | 77 | London Warriors (U19) | TUF | 4 | With 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, #77 was involved in unnecessary dead-ball activity at the back of the end zone and was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct by the Back Judge. While subsequently being escorted from the field by teammates and coaches, #77 was verbally abusive towards the Referee, which drew a second flag for unsportsmanlike conduct as it was considered a second, separate, independent act. | 1st June 2025 v South London Renegades & 15th June 2025 South London Renegades | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Matthew Hyndman | 21 | Chester Romans | TUF | 4 | Early in the third quarter, number 21 stood over a prone opponent and taunted them. Between the third and fourth quarters, whilst changing ends, number 21 verbally abused an Official. He was disqualified. Upon completion of the penalty and announcement of disqualification, number 21 re-entered the field, removed his helmet, threw it to the ground and charged at the officials. He had to be restrained by a number of teammates and coaches. This was treated as Misconduct and a second fixed penalty offence | 11th May 2025 v Scunthopre Alphas and next 4 competitive games thereafter | |
Aimee-Louise Mulcahy | 44 | Hertfordshire Cheetahs Women | FPF | 2 | With around 9 minutes left of the 2nd Half of the Final game of this event - Hertfordshire #44 was seen to forcibly remove and throw the helmet of a Caledonia Chaos player across the field. Due to the force used in taking this action - the Caledonia player was left on the ground and required medical treatment and assessment. Therefore #44 wa disqualified for a FPF. | 31st May 2025 - First Hertfordshire Cheetahs game of Tournament | |
Charlie Thynne/George | 44 | London Warriors Women | MIS | 44 | Made an inappropriate and unauthorised public statement on social media about matters relating to British American Football. | 10th May 2025 v Birmingham Lions Women | |
Demilade Soyoye | 28 | Rushmoor Knights | TUF | 3 | With 13:00 remaining in the second quarter, #28 left the team area to confront the LJ on the sideline (stopping the LJ from his duties), and loudly shout and remonstrate about a call. With 12:50 remaining in the third quarter, #28 was seen by the BJ to forcibly shove an opponent to the ground, well after and away from the play, and after the opponent had clearly finished participating in any action. | 11th May 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats | |
Andre Clarke | 86 | Solent Seahawks (U19) | TUF | 4 | In the first quarter, the player threw the football at an opponent after the play was over. With 2:12 remaining in the 4th quarter number 86 committed a second unsportsmanlike act. They taunted their opponents using the football in the crook of their arm. | 18th May 2025 v Rushmoor Knights U19 |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Clyde Valley Blackhawks | No numbers or nine-yard marks. Kenneth Glover #71 | 6th July 2025 v Aberdeen Roughnecks |
Cornwall Monarchs | 90-yard well-marked grass field marked with blue paint. Parking at the venue was a little problematic due to other events going on, and the official changing room was too small for a crew of five. A couple of the crew changed in the vacated player changing area. Toilet facilities are public in the park area nearby. Francis Bevan #474 | 25th May 2025 v Hereford Stampede |
Coventry Phoenix | 100-yard well-marked field with only numbers/nine-yard marks missing. The car park is pay & display, however game management will collect reg numbers to put in the system so there is no need to buy a ticket. Half time delivery of samosas was very much appreciated. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 1st June 2025 v Newcastle Vikings |
Doncaster Mustangs | The changing room was small but adequate, although it did not lock. The 90-yard field was well marked, including correct coaching and team boxes. Markings for a rugby pitch were also marked in white but were clearly distinguishable from the football markings and did not create a problem. Dave Black #574 | 15th June 2025 v Gateshead Senators |
East Kent Mavericks | 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones marked in blue with other sport markings in white, red, and yellow. No limit lines, numbers or nine-yard marks. Team areas were the incorrect size, and the coaching line was at the incorrect depth. Game management can get the changing room locked upon request, but this is a code lock rather than a key, so it can be opened by anyone with access. There was one change to the officials' assistants at halftime. Colchester requested that it be reported that they considered the blue field markings to be too faint, and it was hard to make out the sideline. The officials visually inspected the field and found it clear to make out the entire sideline from the middle of the field. However, another coat of paint would help make them brighter. Phil Clarke #262 | 25th May 2025 v Kent Exiles |
Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19) | Apart from a couple of differently coloured lines on the field, the team did a very good job. Ian Sneddon #427 | 18th May 2025 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Hereford Stampede | Field marked with IFAF Yards in blue, as the game was not played on the regular field on site. Refreshments provided to officials pre-game, which was most appreciated. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 15th June 2025 v Plymouth Vanguard |
Kent Exiles | The changing room was not able to be locked, and it was a fair walk from the changing room/car park to the field. Otherwise, a good day. Daniel Clarke #311 | 18th May 2025 v Colchester Gladiators |
London Warriors | 90-yard artificial field marked in blue. Field lines, coaching box, and team area markings are all very faint and can be hard to see. The crossbars on both goals sag in the middle. The mechanism for displaying the numbers on the down box is broken, so not all four downs can be displayed. The game kicked off 30 minutes later than scheduled due to the time that the previous U19 game finished. Peter Parsons #321 | 18th May 2025 v Hertfordshire Cheetahs |
London Warriors (U19) | 90-yard artificial field marked in blue. Field lines, coaching box, and team area markings are all very faint and can be hard to see. The crossbars on both goals sag in the middle. The mechanism for displaying the numbers on the down box is broken, so not all four downs can be displayed. At 1:41 in the third Quarter, Game Management were asked to remove a spectator from the home team side who had used his phone to taunt a visiting team player who had gone out of bounds on that side of the field during a scoring play. Peter Parsons #321 | 15th June 2025 v South London Renegades |
Manchester Titans (U16) | Field & team areas were marked with cones, other sports markings were present. Ian Rogers #625 | Unknown |
Northants Knights | Two sets of hash marks, one NCAA-width and one NFL-width. This led to confusion when spotting the ball. Three-yard marks were marked at the two-yard lines. Brian Yates #29 | 25th May 2025 v Birmingham Bulls |
Northants Knights (U19) | Well marked field with the coaching areas marked between the 25-yard lines. The officials assistants, although keen, were very mobile and we had to reset the chain and down marker during a series. Gerry Mellough #79 | 1st June 2025 v Birmingham Lions |
Nottingham Caesars | Well-marked 90-yard field. All three game balls required inflation prior to use. The changing rooms allocated were three small rooms that could only accommodate a maximum of two people each. This was despite a large changing room being requested due to the size of the crew. David Hewitt #607 | 1st June 2025 v Manchester Titans |
Rushmoor Knights | Field markings were notably fainter than in the last two games, but they are due to be repainted soon. The changing room is "cosy" for a crew of five, but is lockable. Goals are too wide and are extensions of a soccer goal. Oliver Maskell #221 | 1st June 2025 v London Blitz |
Solent Seahawks (U16) | With 1:26 remaining in the second half of the first game between Solent and Rushmoor, there was an injury to a player. The teams agreed to declare the score and end the game. The second set of games was suspended until an ambulance arrived on site to treat the player. This was completed within 30 minutes allowing resumption of play within adequate time. With 0:11 seconds remaining in the second half between Rushmoor and Oxford there was a suspension of play due to an injury. The coaches met in the middle of the field and agreed to declare the game. Scott Castle #626 | Unknown |
Solent Thrashers (NWFL) | Kick off was delayed by 25 minutes, due to the late arrival of the away team who had been stuck in traffic. Away team wore grey meaning the game was grey vs black, but the grey was light enough there was sufficient contrast. Oliver Maskell #221 | 7th June 2025 v Manchester Titans |
Swindon Storm (U19) | With 9:26 remaining in the second quarter, during the play, a defender committed a facemask foul whilst taking a player to the ground. The helmet was released and contacted the Head Linesman in the face. Following medical treatment and a 20 minute delay, the medic advised the official was able to return. However, the official should wait until the end of the half. The crew was reduced to three, which the crew continued with until the start of the third quarter when the crew returned to four. Scott Castle #626 | 8th June 2025 v Hertfordshire Cheetahs |
York Centurions | The changing rooms did not lock and were quite a walk from the field. A reasonably well-marked 100-yard field in blue, with team areas marked with cones. Dave Black #574 | Unknown |
Yorkshire Rams | All lines were very faint, with the grass long in places and bare in others. Team and coaches areas marked between the 25-yard lines. John Roberts #145 | 1st June 2025 v Merseyside Nighthawks |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Aberdeen Roughnecks | A well-marked 100-yard field. Kickoff was delayed by 30 minutes due to road works delaying the arrival of the away team. One game ball had to be changed at half time, it was found to have a slow puncture. Gordon Galloway #7 | 8th June 2025 v Glasgow Tigers |
Berkshire Rengages | 90-yard field. White lines on an arid field. Upon arrival, one end line was broken, but this was corrected before kickoff. The original changing room was very small, but the crew were given a bigger changing room. Neither room was private nor lockable. Darren Urben #438 | 18th May 2025 v Rushmoor Knights |
Birmingham Bulls | 90-yard field marked in yellow and was difficult to see at times. There was a single change to the chain crew at halftime. The changing rooms were very basic and not lockable. Contrary to the previous report, Birmingham elected to allow kicks at both sets of posts, so one-way mechanics were not required. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 8th June 2025 v Shropshire Revolution |
Birmingham Lions (NWFL) | Game played at Birmingham University. Team had remedied issue with some lines experienced in the past and noted that they are fully remarking the field on May 1st. Opening Kickoff delayed by three minutes due to the incursion of two dogs onto the field of play. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 10th May 2025 v London Warriors |
Bournemouth Bobcats | No team or coaching boxes marked. Some other sports markings run close to the American Football markings and can seem confusing. Oliver Maskell #221 | 8th June 2025 v Solent Thrashers |
Bristol Aztecs | 90-yard field marked in yellow with rugby markings in white. Markings were too thin and not straight in places, but Bristol were not able to mark the field until two hours before the game (with only the backup line marker available) due to a prior rugby match. Coaching and Team areas were marked further back than regulation due to a request from the rugby club to protect the field. Two locker rooms were provided, each suitable for around three people, but they were adequate. The pre-game was held outdoors. Locker rooms were not locked during the game, but were staff-supervised. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 7th June 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
Chester Romans | 90-yard field, which had been remarked in blue, albeit with no three-yard marks or coaches’ boxes. Team areas were marked with cones and there were no pylons at the hashmarks extended. Multiple other sports markings were present in various colours. A number of portable soccer goals were stored on the visitors sideline at less than 18’ but as far up against the caged area as possible. Only one small changing room, large enough for two people, was provided for a crew of five despite game managements attempts to secure a second room. This room was not lockable. Officials of other sports also attempted to use this room. One of the officials assistants was provided late. Ian Rogers #625 | 18th May 2025 v Sheffield Giants |
Darlington Steam | A well-marked out 100-yard field. Other sports markings were present in close proximity to the endzones. Team areas were missing, but other sports markings were used for the coaches' box line. All three game balls needed inflating before use. No designated officials changing rooms, so the officials had to wait for the players to vacate their room so they could use that one. David Hewitt #607 | 25th May 2025 v Humber Warhawks |
Essex Tridents | Field marked in IFAF yards with 1 yard = 0.9 yards. Very well-marked 100-yard field, in white, with ten-yard end zones and with other sport markings in white. No limit line and coaching lines, and team area lines at incorrect depth, but on-field markings were perfect. Good size, well-appointed, lockable changing room just lacking a private toilet. Tim Ockendon #481 | 11th May 2025 v East Kent Mavericks |
East Kilbride Pirates | No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 6th July 2025 v Newcastle Vikings |
East Kilbride Pirates (U19) | No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 6th July 2025 v Highland Wildcats |
Highland Wildcats (U19) | Although this was a well-marked field, the lines were painted in yellow, which is not very clear on green grass. Ian Sneddon #427 | 8th June 2025 v Edinburgh Napier Knights |
Humber Warhawks | A reasonably well-marked 90-yard field with no numbers. Changing rooms are poor and double as a store area for equipment. Dave Black #574 | 18th May 2025 v Doncaster Mustangs |
Leicester Panthers | Field marked in yellow and missing nine-yard marks (although rugby marks used as an approximation) and coaches' boxes. Following halftime, one ball person was asked to tone down his celebrations in the second half and instead chose not to continue as ball person, so the second half was delayed as a replacement ball person was sought and briefed. Joel Pearson #405 | 1st June 2025 v Lincolnshire Bombers |
Lincolnshire Bombers | The field was faintly marked with markings difficult to see from the Head Linesman's side of the field. Mole hills are still a problem, with many having to be flattened, and the surface produced stones, which were difficult to clear. There were no hash mark pylons. Gerry Mellough #79 | 18th May 2025 v Leigh Miners |
London Blitz B | Large patches of the field are bare earth. One goalpost was noticeably wonky. Hot water was available in the showers. The team now has a regular stadium announcer, who is pretty good at following the rules but less good at knowing what the penalty signals are. Ben Gadsby #564 | 8th June 2025 v Sussex Thunder |
London Blitz (U19) | One member of the chain crew was changed at halftime for three plays. The field continues to lack grass in large patches. One goal is lopsided. Ben Gadsby #564 | 18th May 2025 v Ipswich Cardinals |
Manchester Titans (NWFL) | A clearly marked 90-yard field. The team areas were marked between the 15-yard lines, but Game Management had coned off each end of the field at 20 yards. Field markings in black, including numbers with multiple other sports markings in different colours also present.. New goalposts were in use for the first time, similar to rugby posts attached to the top of movable soccer goals. On arrival, the crew had to request the removal of nets from the soccer goals and for the posts to be centred within the hash marks. End zones were approximately nine yards and, at each end, there was a white soccer line which had two small squares with no turf covering the solid surface beneath. These were filled with sand prior to kickoff. There were no pylons at the inbounds lines, nor were there goal line yardage markers. Game management provided a lockable changing room, which was large enough for a crew of eight, along with food & drink. Ian Rogers #625 | 17th May 2025 v Teesside Steelers |
Manchester Titans (U19) | Field markings were below minimum standards. No goalposts were available as there were issues with contractors who were due to install them before the game. Both teams agreed to play with no goalposts. The home team failed to provide three leather balls before kickoff, therefore, synthetic balls were used. Markings were black on a green field, coaching areas were marked between the 15-yard line rather than the 20-yard lines. There were issues with the down box operator, who appeared to be more interested in talking to the ball boy than paying attention to the game. Steve Hall #512 | 8th June 2025 v Chester Romans |
Merseyside Nighthawks | 90-yard field with football markings in yellow, along with other field markings for other sports in other colours. Lines were wonky in places, and the inbounds markings were not always straight laterally or the same length. Otherwise, the game was played in great spirits throughout by both teams. Peter Roberts #87 | 18th May 2025 v Yorkshire Rams |
Newcastle Vikings | The changing room was not lockable. The field was re-marked with a few wobbly lines. Three-yard marks were missing. Ali May #42 | 11th May 2025 v Manchester Titans |
Nottingham Caesars (U19) | The field was marked in red with other sports markings present. The team areas were too close to the sideline. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 1st June 2025 v Sandwell Steelers U19 |
Plymouth Vanguard | A well-organised game day. The field had been re-marked due to the rain and was in good condition. The coaches' boxes were marked with cones, but all other lines were good. Dave Moore #92 | 1st June 2025 v Hereford Stampede |
Rushmoor Knights (U19) | 100-yard field. Goal posts were made by extending soccer goals, resulting in posts that were 24’ wide with an 8’ high crossbar at both ends. No limit lines. At half time, the length of the remaining quarters were shortened to five minutes by agreement of both Head Coaches and the Referee under Rule [3-2-1-a]. The second half was also played with a running clock. Plaudits to Rushmoor game management for the way in which they looked after the officials throughout the day. Peter Parsons #321 | 1st June 2025 v Swindon Storm U19 |
Sandwell Steelers | 90-yard field faintly marked in blue, with seven-yard end zones. The field surface is uneven in areas. There was a ten-minute delay to the start of the game due to waiting for an injured player from the junior game to be moved off the field. Emma Harris #236 | 18th May 2025 v Birmingham Bulls |
Sheffield Giants | Team areas weren’t painted but were marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 11th May 2025 v Chester Romans |
Shropshire Revolution | Field is in a sports stadium used for hammer and discus sports so there were multiple divets infield. Multiple white lines on field from other sports. Visiting team area not marked. Several pieces of equipment used for other sports on the field had to be padded prior to game Andrew Lovell #559 | 11th May 2025 v Sandwell Steelers |
Somerset Wyverns | There was a long stoppage in the second quarter for an injury to a player. The halftime interval was taken during this delay, and play resumed after the player was able to be moved. Coaches' boxes were only marked to the 25-yard line. Field and other markings were good. A conference room was supplied for officials, which had a lot more space than the official changing room. Dave Moore #92 | 22nd June 2025 v Solent Thrashers |
Sussex Thunder | 100 IFAF-yard field, re-marked to a high standard since the previous game. The field was very dry due to the sudden warm weather, and there was a temporary stoppage to remove some dog faeces from an end zone. Due to the small officials' locker rooms, the crew were offered a vacated team locker room and bags were locked in the storage area during the game. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 1st June 2025 v London Blitz B |
Swindon Storm | The field was generally well marked however there was a high number of bark and pieces of wood on the field which is a community facility. The changing room is of a good size but is not lockable. Dan Coles was awarded the best BAFRA fan of the game. Richard Moger #472 | 11th May 2025 v Hereford Stampede |
Yorkshire Academy Assassins (U19) | The field was marked with cones, as were the team areas. Dave Black #574 | 19th July 2025 (Tournament) |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: 1st and 10 at the A-25. Late in the 1st quarter, ball carrier A21 circles right end toward his team area and is hit by B54 at the A-30. A21 continues to drive forward and lands with his body down at the A-34 out of bounds in or near the team area having crossed the sideline at the A-34.
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Last week | Play: Second and five at the A-45. Ball carrier A33 breaks out into the open and has a clear path to the goal line. At the B-2 they suddenly make a shar p left turn and trot along the B-2 as the Team B players begin to catch up to them. They then carry the ball into the end zone. A33 next runs to the stands and begins to exchange "high-fives" with the fans.
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MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: Which official is responsible for giving a list of officials to each Head Coach (the “Coaches Card”)?
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Last week | Game Situation: In the week before the game, the officials note that Newsflash states that a home team player is suspended for the game. During the pre game meeting between the Head Coach, Referee & Umpire, the Home Team Head Coach states that he believes the player should not be suspended from the game. Answer: The Referee should remind the coach that any suspended players must be marked on the roster as suspended and they may not participate in the game as a player. However, if he says that the player is entitled to play, show the Coach the edition of Newsflash that lists the suspension and stress to him that it is our accepted journal of disciplinary actions. You should take all reasonable steps to talk the coach out of playing the player, but if the player enters the game, allow him to play (I.e. don't eject him on the first play) and report it as a misconduct incident. Note on the Incident Report what you said to the coach. The incident should also be reported via the tracking suspensions form in the Gameday Paperwork section of the members area (BAFRA Members Handbook - Game day administration). |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
2025 | ||
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Mark Schofield | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
Recruitment | Emma Harris | 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. |