NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Unknown

AC

Sheffield Giants

TUF

4

With 14:44 remaining in the third quarter, an assistant coach entered the field to remonstrate with an official in an aggressive manner and was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct. With 0:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, the same assistant coach remonstrated with an official using abusive language. This resulted in a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

8th June 2025 v Scunthorpe Alphas & 29th June v Yorkshire Rams

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

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

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Berkshire Renegades (U16)

Adequately marked fields. Halfway, five-yard lines and 12-yard lines were indicated with cones.

Darren Urben #438

Unknown

Bristol Apache

One team occupied the changing room for the officials meaning that a crew of six had to use a room suitable for three.

Julian Mallia #336

1st June 2025 v Solent Thrashers

Chester Romans (U16)

Both fields were marked with cones, and there were no markings at all for team areas. No down box was provided on either field.

Ian Rogers #625

Unknown

Cornwall Monarchs

The medic arrived just in time after a personal matter had delayed them (out of their control). The chain crew were not available until the scheduled kickoff time and were very challenging as they had no knowledge of football. The kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes to brief the chain crew. The changing room was extremely small, and some officials found another room to change in.

Dave Moore #92

8th June 2025 v Swindon Storm

Darlington Steam

No limit lines. No nine-yard marks or numbers. The team areas were missing. All three game balls required inflation prior to use. A changing room for officials was only available after a team had vacated one of their rooms, and the officials had to share the room with the away team when changing after the game.

David Hewitt #607

15th June 2025 v Gateshead Senators

Essex Tridents

With 0:12 remaining in the second quarter, a home team player suffered a serious injury that required an ambulance to be called. With the agreement of both coaches, the remaining time in the second quarter was reduced to 0:00. Half time was extended until the player had been attended to and the ambulance had left the field. This led to half time taking 42 minutes. Upon resumption, the game proceeded as normal.

Daniel Clarke #311

8th June 2025 v Colchester Gladiators

Glasgow Tigers

The field surface was uneven. An alternative changing room had to be found for the officials due to the original one being too small.

Gordon Galloway #7

29th June 2025 v Inverclyde Goliaths

Lincolnshire Bombers (U16)

The changing room was of an adequate size but was not lockable, with no private toilet or shower. The field was reasonably well marked, with painted lines. With approximately 1:40 remaining in the first half of the second game (Darlington vs Yorkshire), #58 of Darlington sustained an injury that required prolonged treatment and resulted in the game being abandoned. The third game was able to commence on time, and the tournament was completed.

Dave Black #574

Unknown

London Blitz (U16)

Two 53-yard fields with ten-yard end zones marked in white, red, and yellow. Red and yellow field markings were faint and difficult to see unless looking directly along them. The temporary fence around the playing enclosure was too close to the fields in certain places, so the stakes holding the fence up in these places were removed by Game Management prior to kickoff. A large central area of the playing enclosure was waterlogged, and Game Management's attempts to avoid this by marking the fields at either end of the enclosure were not completely successful. Fortunately, the areas in use dried out as the day progressed. No team areas, down boxes or operators supplied for either field.

Tim Ockendon #481

Unknown

Northants Knights

There was no changing room available on arrival, the crew had to wait until soccer players vacated one from an earlier game.

Pete Thom #200

1st June 2025 v Sandwell Steelers

Paisley Bears (U16)

No issues other than the 12-yard lines were found to be at 15 yards. Cones were used to indicate the 12-yard lines.

Andrew Currie #107

Unknown

Portsmouth Dreadnoughts

90-yard field. Markings were a combination of pink and orange lines.

Dean Wright #553

1st June 2025 v Berkshire Renegades

Sheffield Giants

Team areas were absent but were marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field.

Paul Todd #289

29th June 2025 v Yorkshire Rams

South Wales Warriors

90-yard field with two sets of inbounds markings. One set was at the correct position and the other at high school width. The officials' changing room was not lockable.

Euan Paterson #165

Unknown

Staffordshire Surge

During the third quarter, a stake operator had to be reminded not to drink alcohol during the game.

Andrew Lovell #559

15th June 2025 v Birmingham Bulls

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 Renegades

Two small officials' changing rooms were provided. They were not lockable.

Euan Paterson #165

8th June 2025 v Wembley Stallions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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)

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 (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

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

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 (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

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

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

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

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: The Game is being played at a sports field surrounded by a wire mesh fence.

1st and 10 at Midfield. There is movement by the offensive and defensive lines after discussion A69 is penalised for a False Start, in reaction to hearing he has been penalised A69 makes a disparaging remark towards the Umpire, he is penalised for a Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct and disqualified. He leaves the playing field and positions himself outside the wire mesh fence. After benign requested by the officials; game management asks A69 to leave sight of the field.

A69 shouts that he is outside the field of play and can stand where he likes, A69 then makes another disparaging remark towards the officials.

Ruling?

Last 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.

Ruling: Team A’s ball, 1st and 10 at the A-45. This is Defensive Holding by B55. This foul occurred before the kick and the penalty is not governed by post-scrimmage kick enforcement. The 10-yard penalty will be enforced from the previous spot and includes an automatic first down. (9-3-4-d)

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: What are the five mandatory uses of intra-crew radios during a game?

Answer next issue…

Last 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).

Answer: M-19-3-6 & M-19-3-8.  The Linesman shall move the same distance as the Umpire and ensure that the distance moved is correct.  The Linejudge shall remain at the enforcement spot until all officials are happy that the penalty has been enforced correctly.

Date

Event

Contact for details

2025

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.