BAFRA Newsflash 18/07

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ISSUE 18/07	14 May 2007

DISCIPLINARY CASES

13^th May 2007

Name	#	Team	Code	Q	Offence	Suspended
None
From previous weeks (6^th May 2007)
Stephen Morrison	74	Kent Exiles	FPF		He had hold of an opponent's face mask and just kept on for what seemed forever	27/05/07 at Oxford Saints

The Morrison disqualification (above) occurred on 6^th May but due to a glitch the online report did not get through to Newsflash. Thanks to everyone who helped piece together details of the case.

A note to confirm that Brian Long (Doncaster Mustangs), who was listed as suspended for 13/05/07, in fact served his suspension in an earlier game and was eligible to play against West Coast Trojans.

A general point is that teams are responsible for ensuring that their suspended players serve their suspensions in the proper game (according to the BAFA Disciplinary Code). We try to be helpful by identifying the proper game here in Newsflash, but we don't always have access to the latest league schedules.

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

13^th May 2007

Home team	Report	Next home game
Bristol Aztecs (vs. London Olympians)	Plaudit. This was a premier league game played as you expect it to be under the conditions. The field was completely lined, the locker room was big and good; Game Management almost perfect. Both teams were playing football giving it their best shot. Also, given the fact that we only had 2 penalties worth mentioning, and less then 1 minute of injury time, the game was top notch. Plaudit to the teams and the crew for making this the game it was under very difficult circumstances. Ralph Lenoire #523	27/05/07 vs. East Kilbride Pirates
East Kilbride Pirates	Yard line markings were 9 foot from sideline not 9 yards. No team area or coaching box. There were no inbound lines (hash marks). The home team provided 3 balls but these were old, worn, and not fit for purpose. Fortunately the away team were able to provide suitable game balls. Payment was also not made until we were leaving the changing area (45 minutes after the conclusion of the game). Ian Sneddon #427	17/06/07 vs. Coventry Jets
Reading Renegades	Reading has a 100 yard pitch which was perfectly marked. On the negative side, it is about 150 yards away from the locker room. Game Management was not available until right before kick-off including the game balls. Chain crew was not the best to be found and two members had to be replaced during the game. The game itself can only be summarized as good and thrilling. Both teams gave it their best shot and there were no issues on the field whatsoever. Ralph Lenoire #523	03/06/07 vs. Plymouth Admirals
South Wales Warriors	Three players have jerseys with numbers "04", "05" and "07". Although not technically legal, we decided not to make a big issue out of it. Ralph Lenoire #523	20/05/07 at Plymouth Admirals
Southern Sundevils	New venue - Gosport Rugby Club. Field had NFL hash marks, but game management put some extra marks to indicate the correct position, and put pylons at the back of the end zones to help too. No coaching box or team area lines; no limit lines. Chain crew and ball boys not available until about 10 minutes before kickoff. Due to heavy rain before the game, there was a lot of standing water on the field, but it improved as the game went on in the sunshine. Jim Briggs #31	20/05/07 vs. Bristol Aztecs
Sussex Thunder	One member of the chain crew had to be replaced before we had even got started, as he said that he would "only be around for 10 minutes". One ball boy was only twelve years old. However, Sussex provided 3 good quality balls very early; their changing rooms are some of the best around and can be locked. Dan Bridgland #506	20/05/07 vs. Ipswich Cardinals
From previous weeks
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 vs. Chiltern Cheetahs

BAFRA 2007 Exam

I'd like to congratulate everyone who got a good or improved score in the exam this year. I thought it was slightly harder than last year's, so it was good to see that the average score actually went up by about 3%. Well done everyone, since I'm sure all members will have learned something from doing it or from checking the answers to the questions they got wrong – I know I did.

Jim.
president@bafra.org

RULEBOOKS

We've heard from a small number of people who have complained that their 2007 BAFA Rulebook is already falling apart. If yours is, please let Davie Parsons (training@bafra.org) know. If this applies to only a handful of members, we will replace their copy. If it's a more widespread problem we may need to go back to the printers.

Roster forms

A couple of people have asked what referees should do with the roster forms, now that they are no longer sent in to BAFRA.

Referees should retain the paperwork for at least a week after a game so that any problems with identification can be resolved. The roster form could be crucial evidence in the event that a team appeals against a disqualification. After a week, you may dispose of the forms – in an environmentally friendly way, please!

PRE-PAID TEAMS

As stated in Issue 14, Sussex Thunder have pre-paid BAFRA for all their regular season fixtures. The Referee for their games should complete a Crew Request for Payment form so that Charlie can issue the appropriate cheques.

Teams in debt

A number of BSAFA teams have not paid their outstanding fees from the end of last season. Under our Terms & Conditions, BAFRA takes the following action:

Team	Amount owed	Action for 2007-2008 season
Bath Killer Bees	£275	Owe us for one post season game; have not contacted us and as such have moved to Category B
Birmingham Lions		Owe for two post season games; haven't as yet paid, but have acknowledged the debt and are awaiting the University paying us by BACS transfer. Provided this is paid in the near future, they will remain in Category A.
Glasgow Tigers	£50	They are waiting for the University to send us the money.
Huddersfield Hawks	£220	Have bounced all the cheques from their friendly game versus Durham, and so far have made no attempt to contact us or send a replacement. We will not cover them home or away until they pay the debt and pay for next season in advance.
Loughborough Aces	£825	Have not paid for their three home playoff games, have not contacted us, and are therefore moved to Category B
Sheffield Hallam Warriors	£125	Have not paid for their last home game. They are now Category B.
Staffordshire Stallions	£470	Owe us for two games: one in the plate, and the game vs. Bucks. They have not contacted us and have moved to Category B.
Tarannau Aberystwyth	£210	Owe us from last season and, as persistent non-payers, are moved to Category C

Game Management in Category B must pay match fees in cash, and must pay the officials by 60 minutes before kickoff time at the latest. The BAFRA administration fee may still be paid by cheque. If the officials have not been paid by 60 minutes before kickoff time the match will be declared cancelled but Game Management will still be liable for all fees, expenses and administration charges due.

In Category C, Game Management will be subject to the same payment restrictions as Category B, but will in addition be required to deposit £200 with BAFRA in advance of any fixture notification. This deposit will be returned to Game Management after completion of all notified fixtures, including playoff games.

Teams that pre-pay BAFRA for games will not be subject to payment restrictions.

BSAFA have been notified of the action taken against their teams.

Charlie Dean-Young
finance@bafra.org

Jim's Jottings

A play that was discussed on the BAFL forum involved a player stopping a rolling ball with his foot: what might in soccer be termed "trapping" the ball. Does this constitute illegally kicking the ball?

Rule 9-4-4 states "A player shall not kick a loose ball, a forward pass or a ball being held for a place kick by an opponent." The definition of a kick is in Rule 2-15-1, "Kicking the ball is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot. When in question, a ball is accidentally touched rather than intentionally kicked." Clearly where the contact is not intentional, there is no foul.

The rules don't define striking the ball, but Steve Tonkinson quotes a dictionary definition: "strike: verb 1 deliver a blow to. 2 come into forcible contact with. 3 (in sport) hit or kick (a ball) so as to score a run, point, or goal."

Is there a difference between striking at the ball and letting it hit you? I think so, in the football sense, because the rules makers could have defined kicking as "intentionally touching the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot". By using the word "striking", they must have intended some greater application of force.

We need a consistent interpretation of this. Unless anyone strenuously objects, I suggest the following one:

· If the player intentionally moves his knee, lower leg or foot towards the ball, he is kicking it. If the player keeps his knee, lower leg or foot still, or moves his knee, lower leg or foot away from the ball to absorb the impact, then it is not a kick.

Jim Briggs
rules@bafra.org

Book review

I've just completed reading an excellent book. It's The art of refereeing by Robert Evans and Edward Bellion (published by A&C Black, 2005). Of course it's actually about refereeing soccer but so much of it (especially the sections on dealing with players) is appropriate to our game too. Even the discussion of how to rule when a goalkeeper and centre forward both leap for the ball at the same time would help you rule on pass interference. Interestingly, the two authors are British but established their refereeing careers in the US, in Major League Soccer and similar leagues. Their experience of transferring native knowledge of the game to people who didn't grow up playing the sport is also of interest.

I got my copy from Amazon for £10.55 but used copies are also available for only a couple of quid. Well worth a read for all aspiring elite officials. Jim.

This week's Newsflash

This week's Newsflash was another Jim production. Roger will be back from his holiday in time for next week's issue.