NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

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

18th May 2025 v Sheffield Giants and next 3 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

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

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

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Birmingham Lions (NWFL)

The field had recently been re-marked in black, however, there were no three-yard marks, nor were there any marked team areas or coaches' boxes. The changing room provided was only big enough for two officials (crew of four) and was not lockable. With 11:51 remaining in the second quarter, there was a 36-minute delay following a serious injury to a Birmingham player.

Ian Rogers #625

31st May 2025 v Manchester Titans

Chorley Buccaneers (U19)

Field markings below full standards. 90-yard grass field marked in white. No other field markings present. No team areas or coaching areas marked.

Steve Hall #512

15th June 2025 v Sheffield Giants

Essex Tridents

100-yard field using IFAF measurements and marked to a high standard, including field numbers. Team areas were correctly marked between the 20-yard lines with the players’ lines 12’ back, however, the coaching line at 6’ was missing. All field markings were in white, including a few other sport markings around the 50-yard line. The centre of the field is quite dry/dusty with no grass present, but lines were there and fully visible. There was one change to the chain crew during the game, and one injury delay of over five minutes to allow a player to be stabilised and moved off the field to outside the limit lines for further treatment. The changing room provided was fully lockable and only lacks a private toilet.

Phil Clarke #262

25th May 2025 v London Olympians

Gateshead Senators

A well-marked 90-yard field. No limit lines. The game balls required inflation prior to use. The changing room is normally a general meeting room, but as this was being used by the athletics club, the officials had to change in the team changing room once it had been vacated.

David Hewitt #607

29th June 2025 v Humber Warhawks

Glasgow Tigers

With 11.08 remaining in the third quarter, Blackhawks #99 received a serious spinal injury through incidental contact with an opponent. Although an ambulance arrived quickly, the paramedics had to conduct tests before taking him to an appropriate hospital. The game was delayed for 1h10 to allow proper assessment. Although this was clearly a difficult time for his teammates, both teams agreed to continue the game. After the game, his coach advised us that once in the hospital, he was able to move his limbs.

Ian Sneddon #427

25th May 2025 v Rossendale Bucks

Hertfordshire Cheetahs

The game was suspended for 29 minutes, with 10:45 remaining in the third quarter, due to a suspected torn hip flexor on Hertfordshire #35. The game was played at Hertford University, and so the field had wires suspended above it.

Keith Wickham #423

1st June 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats

Ipswich Cardinals

The numbers were too small, but in the correct position. No chain clip reference points.

Lee Wood #517

18th May 2025 Ouse Valley Eagles

Ipswich Cardinals (U19)

The numbers were too small, but in the correct position. No chain clip reference points.

Lee Wood #517

1st June 2025 v London Blitz

Kent Exiles (U16)

Very well organised event with two fields marked with a mix of lines and cones. Home team management looked after the officials extremely well. The start of the tournament was delayed 30 minutes due to the medical cover being caught in a major incident on the M25. Changing rooms were not lockable.

Peter Parsons #321

Unknown

Lancashire Buccaneers

Field markings below full standards. 90-yard grass field marked in white. No other field markings present. No team areas or coaching areas marked. The away team were not in white jerseys.

Steve Hall #512

15th June 2025 v Leigh Miners

Leicester Panthers (U16)

The officials' changing room was small, had insufficient seating for four officials, and was not lockable. It also doubled as a beer cellar with six kegs of beer taking up much of the available space. Neither field was adequately marked, with pitch one (artificial) marked with a mix of painted lines and cones. Pitch two (grass) was entirely marked with cones. The second half of game one on pitch one was delayed by approximately 25 minutes due to a medical emergency with the coaching staff on one of the sidelines. This also caused the game on pitch two to be stopped until the incident was dealt with. With less than two minutes remaining in game two on pitch one, play was held up due to a player injury for approximately 15 minutes. Again, the medics requested that the game on pitch two also be stopped.

Dave Black #574

Unknown

Newcastle Vikings

90-yard field. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Team areas were incorrectly marked out between the 25-yard lines. The down box broke on one occasion, requiring a short stoppage to repair.

David Hewitt #607

15th June 2025 v East Kilbride Pirates

Oxford Lancers

There was a change of one chain crew person at half time due to illness.

Keith Wickham #423

Unknown

Peterborough Royal (NWFL)

Upon arrival, the crew were informed that BAFA had said that no officials had been allocated. When asked why they did not reply to the email from the Referee, they noted it must have gone to spam.

Larry Rigby #269

Unknown

Poole Dolphins (U16)

With 13:09 remaining in the second half of game three, the game was abandoned following injuries to Poole.

James Statham #187

Unknown

Scunthorpe Alphas

The changing room was a disabled toilet, which was not lockable during the game.

Dave Black #574

8th June 2025 v Sheffield Giants

Sheffield Giants

Well-marked field in black. There were no numbers, nine-yard marks or team areas, but cones and rugby markings were used. Two lockable changing rooms were provided. The pre-game was then held in the foyer area.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

25th May 2025 v Scunthorpe Alphas

Sheffield Giants (U19)

Well-marked field in black. There were no numbers, nine-yard marks or team areas, but cones and rugby markings were used. Two lockable changing rooms were provided. The pre-game was then held in the foyer area.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

1st June 2025 v Chorley Buccaneers

Shropshire Revolution

Markings for other sports were present in the same colour as the American football markings. Only one sideline had a painted team area. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field.

Paul Todd #289

29th June 2025 v Northants Knights

Solent Thrashers

Game cancelled on Saturday morning due to issues with the venue.

Oliver Maskell #221

6th July 2025 v Somerset Wyverns

Staffordshire Surge

Game played at a new venue (Stafford Rugby Club). 100-yard field. Plaudits to the home team for one of the best marked fields the crew had seen (it even included limit lines). Refreshments were provided on arrival. Changing rooms were lockable and big enough for two crews of seven.

Krister Halvorsen #77

25th May 2025 v Shropshire Revolution

Swindon Storm

The field was full size and generally well marked out, but with no nine-yard marks. The previous problems with wood/bark on the field were well-addressed by gameday management, but are is an ongoing concern for them. The changing room is not lockable.

Amir Brooks #593

25th May 2025 v Plymouth Vanguard

Teesside Steelers

(NWFL)

The second game of a doubleheader - played at Birmingham. The field had recently been re-marked in black, however, there were no three-yard marks, nor were there any marked team areas or coaches' boxes. The changing room provided was only big enough for two officials (crew of four) and was not lockable. With 10:56 remaining in the third quarter, there was a ten-minute delay following an injury to a Solent player.

Ian Rogers #625

Unknown

Wembley Stallions

Multiple changes of chain crew and ball persons.

Peter Parsons #321

18th May 2025 v London Blitz B

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yorkshire Academy Assassins (U19)

The field was marked with cones, as were the team areas.

Dave Black #574

19th July 2025 (Tournament)

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

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: There are 3 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter. Team A, 1st & 10 at Midfield. Quarterback A17 attempts a forward pass, which is intercepted by B98 at the B-30, he advances to the B-40 where he is tackled. During the interception return B79 commits a Blindside Block against A17 and the B-35. Team A were in an illegal formation at the snap, time expired during the down.

Ruling?

Last 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.

Ruling: Team A will have 2nd and 1 at the A-34. The game clock will be stopped, and will be restarted on the referee’s signal. The play clock will be set to 40 and will start within 1 second from when the ball is declared dead. If the referee considers that the snapper is at, near or moving towards their position at the line of scrimmage, they will give the matching substitutes signal signifying substitution mechanics are in place and Team B will be given the opportunity to substitute. (by 3-5-2-e, AR 3-5-2:IX)

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: Three separate rules refer to "striking" an opponent: how do we decide which foul to call?

Answer next issue…

Last week

Game Situation: Which official is responsible for giving a list of officials to each Head Coach (the “Coaches Card”)?

Answer: The Referee is responsible for ensuring all Rosters (& Coaches Cards) are exchanged prior to kick-off. They must not delegate this to another official. The game must not kick off until all list have been exchanged. (BR 5.1.7 & BR 5.1.8)

Date

Event

Contact for details

2025

17th May (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

12th July (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting (Virtual)

secretary@bafra.info

8th November (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

2026

11th April (Sat)

BAFRA Ltd. AGM

secretary@bafra.info

11th-12th April (Sat-Sun)

BAFRA Convention

training@bafra.info

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.info

General Secretary

Richard Moger

secretary@bafra.info

Finance

Mark Schofield

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Oliver Maskell

operations@bafra.info

Recruitment

Emma Harris

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.