EDITORIAL

Newsflash 11/07

My apologies to all for the mix-up last week with Newsflash - this was entirely my fault, and I have beaten myself soundly.

Last Week's Picture

It seems that I got the name wrong for last week's picture - that'll teach me to rely on my dodgy memory!

I have been reliably informed that the gentleman displayed in the picture last week was Shaun Harrison. I have also been reliably informed from another source that the gentleman in last week's picture is called Stephen Harrison.

I'm confused...

Examination and Rulebooks

These were all sent out last weekend and by now you all should have received them. Anyone who has not yet received either the Rulebook and/or the Examination should contact the Examination Committee via exam2007@bafra.org.

Roger Stangroom
secretary@bafra.org

APRIL ASSIGNMENTS

The April assignments have all been issued, and as discussed at the convention, I've put out some 7 man crews in April. Remember that the teams will only have to pay for 4 and the crew will divide this between all 7 officials, the admin fee is now £60 and should be sent in with the paperwork as usual. The assignments may also be viewed on the website at http://www.bafra.org/members/assign/index.htm.

Please don't think that because there are 7 on the crew and it won't matter if you don't turn up, it will! If anyone would prefer to sit at home rather than share the fee, please let me know and I'll give your place to someone else. If anyone doesn't turn up and you haven't been told by me that they're off the game, please let me know.

Pete Thom
operations@bafra.org

START OF SEASON REMINDERS

Some information and reminders to set you on the right course for the first round of BAFL games on 8th April…

• Fees and expenses

1. The BAFRA admin fee has gone up to £60 (£30 for youth games). The fee per official is still £40/£25. There is no longer a reduction in fees for friendlies. Please refer to the Annex to the Terms and Conditions for more details.
2. Please remember to hand the invoice to game management before kickoff. If it's not paid within 30 minutes of the end of the game, you may leave and submit a Crew Request for Payment form.

Rules and mechanics

3. Everyone should have received their rulebook by now. It's also on the website at http://rb.bafra.org/index.htm.
4. Remind teams for the first couple of games that a kicking tee for kickoffs cannot be more than 1-inch. Players with tinted visors can no longer play.
5. At the Convention, we agreed the following mechanics for implementing the timing rules changes:
   1. After a change of possession, the Referee should signal the ready for play (and wind the clock) when the new offense breaks their huddle. If the offense goes directly into their formation from the team area, start the clock then. If the offense delays in the huddle, start the clock. Unless there are fewer than 10 seconds left in a period, it would be expected that at least one play should be run unless the offense takes their time. Of course, never declare the ball ready for play if the officials, chains, ball and the defense are not ready.
   2. If a team deliberately commits a foul on a kickoff to illegally consume time, the appropriate penalty should be administered and the Referee should order the clock stopped long enough for the offended team to be able to run one or more plays that they would have been able to run if the foul had not occurred. This applies whether the penalty is accepted or declined. The Unfair Acts rule should not generally apply (since the fouls will normally be covered by the rules), nor is Unsportsmanlike Conduct warranted unless the illegal consumption of time is accompanied by another unsportsmanlike act.
   3. There is no need for anyone to signal "start the clock" on a kickoff.
6. As far as we know, BAFL have not changed any of their league regulations concerning the rules they are allowed to vary. The list is on the website at http://www.bafra.org/rulesctee/docs/leagueregs.htm.
7. Be sure to report any and all breaches of mandatory game management standards as an incident report. Leagues now have enhanced powers to sanction teams who offend.

   Game day paperwork

8. This season, BAFRA is basing the John Slavin Award on the Game Management Audit.
1. A form must be completed for every league game and sent in with the game report.
2. Normally, the Umpire should be responsible for completing the form, but it is the Referee's responsibility to ensure that it is done, and for sending it in.
3. Remember that if there is more than one problem relating to a line of the form, tick the box that scores the highest.
9. We are not running the Field Audit this season.
10. Referees need to ensure that the Crew Grade is completed on the game report after every game. This should reflect a fair assessment by every member of the crew on each official's performance. Last season, one or two referees omitted to do this, which hindered the work of the Selection Committee. This season the Committee reserves the right to record a mark of 0 for Referees who repeatedly leave this off the form.

    Operations

11. Please keep Pete up to date with your availability, either via the members' area of the website (http://www.bafra.org/members/index.htm) or by email (operations@bafra.org) or phone. Bear in mind that our ability to cover games depends on him knowing who is available and who isn't. If your availability changes, then let him know as soon as humanly possible. We will put out as many 4-man crews as we can, topping them up with fifth, sixth and even seventh officials when our numbers allow.
12. A handful of teams have changed venues this season. Be sure to check that you know where you're going before you set off to a match. Links to teams' websites can be found at http://www.bafra.org/teams/index.htm.
13. Please remember to confirm to your referee that you are OK for each game. This should normally be done by Thursday evening (for a Sunday game) at the latest.

    Finally

14. I think if we have an officiating point of emphasis this season, it is that in unusual plays or situations we will all communicate with each other more. The more unusual or extreme the situation, the more important it is that everyone volunteers the information they know, and that they don't wait to be asked. This applies to all officials – veterans and rookies.
15. Have a good season and if you have any questions, contact me or one of the other directors.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

EMAIL RECIEVED FROM STEVE RAINS

Farnham MH Knights American Football Club
Headcoach: Steve Rains

Hello All,

This is to let you know of our change of name but more importantly the change of venue for our Home games this season.

This year we have a new main sponsor, MH-UK, and in keeping with the leagues new naming convention, we are now called the Farnham MH Knights.

We have moved from last year's venue in Aldershot Park and will be playing all our home games at the Army Rugby Stadium in Queens Avenue, Aldershot. The link to streetmap showing the road is http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=486967&Y=152603&A=Y&Z=3.

There is a small stand for spectators and ONLY BAFA registered personnel will be allowed on the sidelines, everyone else MUST remain in the stand. Please let your players and spectators know this in advance.

Directions from Junction 4, M3

Follow the Aldershot A331 signs taking the exit for Farnborough A3011/Aldershot Military Town North. Take the first exit at the first roundabout, the first exit at the second roundabout and the second exit at the third roundabout. The Army Rugby Stadium is on your lefthandside on Queen's Avenue. The entrance into the ground is between the rugby stadium and the military athletics stadium. Follow signs to rear of ground for parking.

Directions from A3

Take the A31 (just south of Guildford) towards Aldershot exiting at the junction for the A331.Take the second exit onto the A3011 to Farnborough/Aldershot Military Town North. Take the second exit at the first roundabout, the first exit at the second roundabout and the second exit at the third roundabout. The Army Rugby Stadium is on your lefthandside on Queen's Avenue. Follow signs to rear of ground for parking.

Directions can also be found on our website at http://www.farnhamknights.com/howtofindus.asp.

Steve Rains
Headcoach Farnham MH Knights

DISCIPLINARY CASES

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily those of BAFRA or its Directors.