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ISSUE 15/07 23 April 2007

ROGER HEDGES

I'm sad to report that Roger Hedges died on Sunday 15th April. Anyone who ever officiated at Oxford Saints would remember "big" Roger, who dwarfed me by quite a few inches and I'm 6'5". Roger had been the Saints General Manager for several years and will be remembered for his crushing handshake and infectious enthusiasm. Sundays in Oxford won't be the same without him.

A minute's silence in his memory will be observed at all BAFL games next weekend.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

EXAM 2007

Reminder

As we approach the end of the Examination period, only just over a third of the papers have been returned. Significant amongst the missing papers are half of the Directors and a large proportion of the Elite Officials.

May I remind people that, unless you have been granted an extension by the Director of Training, then papers must be returned by this Saturday (I have warned the postman to expect a rush!). Once the examination period (and any extensions) are over, results (with the answers) will be sent out to all who submitted a paper. These will be posted on 5th May, so should be with you by 9th May at the latest.

The results, with details of those who have not returned a paper and those who submitted late, will also be sent to the Director of Training and made available to the Selection Committee and the Director of Operations. Thus failure to submit a paper (or a late submission) may affect your future selection for games, including bowl games or future membership of the Elite Panel of Officials.

Paul Sutton
exam2007@bafra.org

GAME MANAGEMENT AUDIT FORM

It's been brought to our attention that the game management form penalises teams that provide bibs for chain crew and ball boys that are not in the "correct" colours as much as if they hadn't provided bibs at all. This isn't a good incentive to teams that are trying to help.

From this weekend, please give credit on line 9 of the form to game management who provide bibs REGARDLESS of colour.

Jim Briggs
rules@bafra.org

NORWICH DEVILS CHANGE VENUE

The Norwich Devils have changed their venue for the season for both their Senior and Youth games, although their website still shows the incorrect one. They now play at the Hewitt School, Cecil Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2PL. I can confirm this as we did a game there on Sunday.

Roger Stangroom
newsflash@bafra.org

BAFA CONVENTION

30th June-2nd July, Leicester

BAFA is holding its inaugural convention – Get into American Football – at the University of Leicester on June 30 to July 2. This will include a number of presentations and sessions focused at particular sections of the British American Football community, plus a number of general sessions that are open to anyone.

BAFRA will be running two sessions specifically for its members. On Saturday 30th June we will be holding our second Elite Programme Clinic - all are welcome, but as usual Elite Programme officials will be expected to attend in the absence of a good excuse. On Sunday 1st July we will be running another rookie clinic for new and recently joined members.

BAFRA will also be running a general session on "What officials do" aimed at players, coaches, fans, etc. plus a training session for Team Judges (or anyone else) who wants to learn how to officiate flag football.

If you want to contribute to or help with any of these BAFRA sessions, please let me know asap. Davie and I are co-ordinating BAFRA's input.

You are also invited to attend any of the "open" sessions that will run over the weekend (precise timings to be decided based on demand). These will include:

  • Presentation on development and the BAFA Whole Sport Plan (including getintoamericanfootball.com launch)
  • Club governance workshop
  • Media and Marketing workshop
  • "Get into American Football" seminar
  • Why youth football is important
  • ClubMark seminar
  • Working with Children workshop
  • Statisticians workshop
  • Flag football rules overview
  • "100% me" – anti-doping awareness seminar

There will also be numerous buzz sessions – informal Q&A sessions with the coaches and demonstration flag football games at the nearby sports complex.

Attendance is free for all BAFA members – however numbers will be limited due to the facilities at the venue.

An added attraction at the Convention will be a gala dinner on the Saturday evening. The gala dinner – a four-course table service evening meal – will include award presentations and entertainment provided by OJ Borg who will interviewing selected guests (details to be announced shortly) in a feature entitled "An evening with OJ Borg". (Note: OJ Borg is the guy who acted as MC at last year's Britbowl, and is a Radio DJ and appears on MTV. Ed)

For details about how to reserve a place at any of the above sessions, or about booking accommodation in the University, see http://www.bafa.org.uk/.

Note that there are no games being played that weekend in order to maximise attendance at the Convention.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

DISCIPLINARY CASES

NAME # TEAM CODE Q OFFENCE SUSPENDED
  22 April
Brian LONG 76 Doncaster Mustangs FPF   While the ball was dead, he forcibly threw an opponent to the ground, head first. 13/05/07
John ADAMS 51 West Coast Trojans FPF   He took exception to his brother being thrown to the ground and despite being restrained ran into the opponents huddle and contacted a player forcefully. 05/05/07
  Outstanding items from previous weeks
NONE            

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

HOME TEAM REPORT NEXT HOME GAME
  22 April
Staffordshire Stallions Game did not take place due to ambulance not being available, no pitch markings and neither team being prepared to take part in a full game. They decided to have limited scrimmage possession.
Crew not paid.
I. Wainwright #567 		n/k
Norwich Devils There were no changing room for officials - we had to change in the showers.
In Norwich's defense, they only secured their new home ground midweek due to old ground being compulsorily purchased.
Martin Cockerill #345 		20/05/07
East Midlands Saxons No numbers or 9 yard marks. Incorrectly marked endzone rectified before the game. No hash marks between one goal line and the 5 yard line.
Brian Yates #29 		13/05/07
  Outstanding items from previous weeks
Edinburgh Wolves No Limit Lines. Hash marks at the sidelines were actually 2 yards onto the pitch and not at sideline. Shortened one endzone due to there being a concrete runaway (strip of concrete about 4inch wide arching through the endzone) for the gate of a shot putt cage in the endzone. Kickoff held up for 45 minutes waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Edinburgh scored 15 on the game management audit.
H. Richardson #358 		28/04/07
Lancashire Wolverines No 9 yard marks. The game started 45 mins late due to ambulance not arriving. A search of the Rugby Club revealed splints and spinal board etc, and a qualified First aider, so BAFA requirements met. Game suspended with 3 mins left in first half due to serious injury, and so the half was terminated with consent of head coaches. New facility very good, big changing room, 7 men crew, first team pitch, good hospitality.
C. Dean Young #258
Game management is good with the Lancashire Wolverines. Unfortunately we had an injured player which had to be taken to the hospital by the ambulance. As no replacement medical personnel was available the game has been suspended for about 1 hour in total waiting for on field treatment and the ambulance to return.
R. Lenoire #523 		29/04/07
Cambridgeshire Cats The vehicle that arrived purporting to be an ambulance was in fact a Range Rover with the necessary equipment, but was not capable of carrying a stretcher-bound patient to hospital. However, it was manned by a Paramedic, and so the requirements of Rule 1-5-1 were met although the League requirement of an Ambulance was not.
The two head coaches agreed to play even though the League requirements had not been met and a further ambulance was ordered. As the conditions of Rule 1-5-1 were met I agreed to start the game, and the correct ambulance arrived approximately 45 minutes after kick-off.
R. Stangroom #180 		06/05/07

FACILITIES AT NORWICH

Further to the report from Martin regarding the Norwich Devils, there was a youth game before the senior game. This was officiated by a 4-man crew who had to change in the showers as the only two changing rooms were in use by the teams. For the senior game, the three additional officials were able to change in the home team's changing room as it was clear of players. At the end of the game with all the players returning to change, we were unable to have exclusive use of a changing room and obviously the showers were unavailable to use for changing. One of the crew decided to drive home still in kit and three of the others had to change in the car-park.

Home management had advised us that they had only procured the facilities during the week as their old ground had become unavailable. They had done very well to get the field set up and marked out and should be commended for this, but let us hope they sort out changing facilities before the next game.

Roger Stangroom
newsflash@bafra.org


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