Issue 18/25 23rd May 2025
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Jaiden Moesson | 18 | Sandwell Steelers (U19) | TUF | 3 | In the second quarter, #18 got to his feet after the play had ended and shoved an opposing player in the chest with both hands, drawing a first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. With 5:43 remaining in the third quarter, #18, significantly away from the play and after the play had ended, shoved another opposing player in the chest with both hands, drawing a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. | 1st June 2025 v Nottingham Caesars U19 | |
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 | 22nd June 2025 v Merseyside Nighthawks and next 2 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 | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Berkshire Renegades | Two small officials' changing rooms were provided. They were not lockable. Euan Paterson #165 | 8th June 2025 v Wembley Stallions |
Chester Romans | Team areas were absent but were marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 6th July 2025 v Merseyside Nighthawks |
Chester Romans (U19) | Team areas were absent but were marked with cones. There was one change of personnel on the crew, however, this did not cause disruption. Late in the second quarter, an injury caused a lengthy delay. It was agreed to treat this delay like a halftime break and reduce the interval between the second and third quarters to one minute. Paul Todd #289 | 22nd June 2025 v Chorley Buccaneers |
Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19) | The team areas did not include a coaching box, this was marked with cones. Kenneth Glover #71 | 1st June 2025 v Highland Wildcats |
Ipswich Cardinals | A well-marked field. However, the numbers were correctly positioned but too small. No chain reference points. Rabbit holes infield had to be filled, which was completed well ahead of kick off. Half time was extended to 50 minutes to deal with a coach who collapsed on the sideline at the end of the first half. Total delay was 1:05, including team warm-ups. Lee Wood #517 | 29th June 2025 v Oxford Saints |
Kent Exiles | A well-marked 90-yard field in white. The changing rooms were not lockable, and the field was a good 5-7 minute walk from the main buildings. However, there is plenty of shaded cover for halftime. There was one stoppage to repair the chain, but the overall game management standard is excellent. Phil Clarke #262 | 1st June 2025 v Essex Tridents |
Lincolnshire Bombers | Whilst the changing room was of an adequate size, it was not lockable and had no private toilet or shower. The 90-yard field was very well marked, but the surface was of very poor quality Stones littered most of the numerous mole hills that had previously been flattened, which proved difficult to clear. Dave Black #574 | 8th June 2025 v Leigh Miners |
London Blitz | 100-yard grass field with ten-yard end zones marked in white. The field surface was sandy in places but was reasonably level throughout. Field markings had been re-marked with spray paint, leading to some crooked lines and the inbounds markings are unevenly spaced. No limit lines or team area markings on the away sideline. The numbers were the incorrect size. The goals were too wide, and one was slightly out of alignment. The usual changing room was not available, but an alternative was found, which was spacious and lockable but with no facilities. Tim Ockendon #481 | 8th June 2025 v Sussex Thunder |
London Blitz (U19) | 100-yard grass field with ten-yard end zones marked in white. The field surface was sandy in places but was reasonably level throughout. Field markings had been re-marked with spray paint, leading to some crooked lines and the inbounds markings are unevenly spaced. No limit lines or team area markings on the away sideline. The numbers were the incorrect size. The goals were too wide, and one was slightly out of alignment. The usual changing room was not available, but an alternative was found, which was spacious and lockable but with no facilities. Tim Ockendon #481 | 20th July 2025 v |
London Warriors | A few injury stoppages, one of which took seven minutes to treat. The lines on the field really need repainting as they're getting faint. The down box has been replaced since the last game there, and now works. Thanks to the team for sourcing a new down box. Balls got stuck in the netting above the goals several times after PAT kicks - kudos to the various individuals who used various methods to retrieve them! Dean Wright #553 | 15th June 2025 v Rushmoor Knights |
Manchester Titans | A well-marked 90-yard field marked in black with other sports markings present on the field marked in dark blue Steve Hall #512 | 8th June 2025 v Nottingham Caesars |
Manchester Titans (NWFL) | A well-marked 90-yard field marked in black with other sports markings present on the field marked in dark blue Steve Hall #512 | 5th July 2025 v London Warriors |
Merseyside Nighthawks | 90-yard field with football markings in yellow and markings for other sports in other colours. Lines were not straight in places, and the inbounds markings were not always straight laterally or the same length. No marked team areas and three-yard marks were positioned on the two-yard line. The goal posts were not straight and leaned to the right. Two small changing rooms were provided, which were lockable, but no ventilation meant they were extremely warm. Additionally, a wheelie bin was removed from one endzone prior to kick off. Ian Rogers #625 | 15th June 2025 v Scunthorpe Alphas |
North East Giants (U19) | The final game of the tournament was called with 6:50 remaining in the first half due to a medical emergency. Kenneth Glover #71 | Unknown |
Sandwell Steelers | The game kicked off 15 minutes late due to the late finish of the preceding junior game, then another five minutes after the non-appearance of the chain crew and ball persons. Multiple chain crew changes. The field is missing nine-yard marks and has the smallest possible legal end zones. Joel Pearson #405 | 20th July 2025 v Northants Knights |
South East Legion | One team forfeited their games on Friday night, but BAFRA were not informed. One team had only two coaches on their roster, below the minimum regulatory requirement of three that came into force this season. With the agreement of officials and all head coaches, kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes to enable a qualified coach to travel to the venue from a nearby flag tournament - credit to all coaches for approaching things in the spirit of maximising the amount of football played. Ben Gadsby #564 | Unknown |
South Wales Warriors | The hash marks were extremely wide, so pylons had to be used to mark the correct width. The changing area and briefing room were a good size, with refreshments provided for officials. Dave Moore #92 | 25th June 2025 v Somerset Wyverns |
Wembley Stallions | There was a short interruption of the game with 10:00 remaining in the fourth quarter to allow two Helicopters to land in the adjacent field. Mark Schofield #557 | 15th June 2025 Portsmouth Dreadnoughts |
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 |
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) | 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | 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 |
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 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 (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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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: 4th and 12 at the A-35. Team A lines up in scrimmage kick formation and intends to punt. immediately after the snap, B55 grabs Right Tackler A77 and pulls him to the side and B21 shoots the gap in an attempt to block the punt. The punter gets the punt away and the ball is downed at the B-35.
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Last 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.
As there are not offsetting fouls, Team A will declines Team B’s foul as they will not want to allow Team B an opportunity to score (AR:10-1-4:III0/. There are no reasons to extend the half (3-2-3-a). |
MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: How should a Linesman and Linejudge work together during a penalty enforcement to ensure that yardage is marked off correctly. (Note that this is not a free kick play).
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Last week | Game Situation: Three separate rules refer to "striking" an opponent: how do we decide which foul to call? Answer: (M3.5.7.a) Three rules talk about "striking" an opponent.
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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. |
