The BAFRA Board of Directors is delighted to announce that Jim Jackson, Coordinator of Football Officiating for the Ohio Valley Conference will be the Guest of Honour at our 2010 Convention and Training Weekend.

Over the last five years, BAFRA’s Annual Convention has grown in stature to become one of the best officiating training events in Europe. David Parsons, BAFRA Director of Training said, “We are thoroughly delighted that Jim has accepted our offer to attend the convention. He is a much sought after speaker and educator, and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our members.” 

Jim Briggs, BAFRA President, added, "We continue to attract high quality guests to our event and we are looking forward to hearing Jim’s philosophies on rules application, mechanics and officiating in general”. 

In his position at the OVC Jim Jackson is in charge of recruiting, training and developing the officials as well as game selection, assignment and evaluation. He also oversees the officials' observation programme. 

Jim moved to the OVC after spending six years as a referee in the Sun Belt Conference. At the Sun Belt he was also the President of the SBC Football Officials Association (2001-03), Position Chief (2001-02) and winner of the Silver Whistle Award for being the league’s highest rated official (2002). He also worked a pair of bowl games, the Silicon Valley Bowl and the Alamo Bowl, during his tenure with the conference. 

From 1992 through 2000, Jim was a referee in the Southern Conference and also served as the Head Linesman for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (1986-89) and worked for the Southeast Tennessee Football Officials Association (SETFOA) for 18 years (1975-92). Jim lives in Chattanooga with his wife, Charlene, and has two grown sons: Russ and Matt. 

The Convention will be held in Coventry over the weekend of 20th – 21st March. Although attendance is restricted to BAFRA members, there is just still time for new members to join the Association. See www.bafra.org for details.