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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 01/09 |
19th January 2009 |
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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 01/09 |
19th January 2009 |
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SURVEY OF MEMBERS 2008
Thank you to all who returned the member’s survey for 2008 – a total of 72 forms were received. A full report will appear in the next issue of Flag Down but I share some of the main findings below.
Nearly everyone (93%) reads Newsflash every week and nearly ¾ visit the BAFRA website at least weekly.
Nearly 80% thought they were scheduled to the right number of games in 2008, but nearly ⅓ of members thought they had to do a bit too much travelling (although nearly 5% thought they did not travel far enough).
About half of the membership had to turn down a game assigned to them at some point in the season.
The Convention remained as popular as ever with only one person saying that they attended but did not gain from it.
Over 90% of officials think that the amount they are paid to officiate is about right. However, nearly 64% would prefer to work 5-man crews even if there was no additional payment for the fifth official.
Over 92% think that the Directors have done an excellent or good job over the past year. The biggest concerns are about game management where over 29% think that what is provided is poor or very poor. Over 22% of members do not know what BAFA does.
The most popular suggestions to celebrate the 25th Anniversary later this year were 1) a dinner at the Convention, 2) a badge 3) some commemorative apparel (although one person did write “Not another polo shirt – I have a wardrobe full of them!).
Of the things that people think BAFRA does well training came out top followed by communication with members and scheduling. Of the things members think we need to improve are attracting and retaining more recruits, assessments, more local meetings and developing new income streams/sponsorship.
Paul Sutton
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments for January and February are now on the BAFRA website for members to view.
Pete Johnson
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As always, some of the Director posts are up for election at the AGM this year. These are as follows:
Election because current Director was appointed not elected:
Director of Recruitment. The current incumbent, Ben Griffiths has indicated that he will stand.
Election because the current Directors have to the end of their term of office:
Director of Finance. The current incumbent, Charles Dean-Young, has indicated that he will NOT be standing.
Director of Operations. The current incumbent, Pete Johnson, Has indicated that he will stand.
Director without Portfolio #2. The current incumbent, Keith Wickham, has indicated that he will NOT be standing.
Election because the current Director is standing down:
Director of Training.
In accordance with our election procedure, nomination forms will be sent to all qualified members in February, 49 days prior to the AGM. The Directors hope that there will be active interest in all of these posts, which are essential to the running of BAFRA. If you think you may be interested and wish to know more about the duties involved please contact the current post-holder for a discussion, or, if you prefer, contact Jim Briggs or me. Only qualified members may stand for election as directors of BAFRA.
Paul Sutton
BAFRA APPOINTS NEW TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR
The Board is pleased to announce that it has appointed Pete Parsons as the new Elite Programme Development Co-ordinator. Pete will be responsible for implementing mentoring and training that meets the specific needs of developing officials, as well as the Elite Programme Panel. Welcome to Pete.
It is likely that we will be looking to appoint someone later in the year to a similar post responsible for the development of newly qualified officials.
Jim
Briggs
president@bafra.org
CHANGES OF ADDRESS, E-MAIL, TELEPHONE NUMBERS ETC.
Any changes to personal details should be notified to me at your earliest convenience. Failure to do so may lead to communications going astray. Thank you for your assistance in this.
Paul Sutton
ABOVE AND BEYOND
The following was received from the Gloucester Banshees. Well done Phil!
“Hi Pete,
Could you please pass on a huge thank you to Phil Clarke No.372 for his kindness at Doncaster yesterday.
Coach Myers had just completed a successful program for South West BAFL 2 - all fixtures sorted and we were on our way home to Gloucester. We were about to return to Gloucester, got in the car and the old "DoDo syndrome" kicked in. Phil was just getting into his car to motor back when he saw that we were in difficulty. He came over and shook hands - I didn't realise he was at the meeting.
We tried to jump start the car but to no avail. In the end a bird watcher came along in his 4x4 and dragged the car around the car park and up the road - eventually getting it started. Phil showed the very essence of kindness, staying with us in the freezing cold of Doncaster, giving us some moral support and even going to the ASDA Supermarket to try and get some "jump leads" for us - he had left his at home. We got back safely to Gloucester ready for the first training session today Sunday.
I have told you this tale of human kindness as I feel Phil should be commended for his actions. They might seem small and mundane in some peoples' eyes - but to us Banshees they were top drawer.
With kindest regards
Jim
BANSHEES”
Paul Sutton
TRAINING DAY FOR NEW RECRUITS AND NEWER OFFICIALS
BAFRA are holding a training day for New or Potential Officials. This day is specifically aimed at those considering becoming an American Football Official or have recently took up officiating. However it is open all BAFRA members.
The day will take place on Saturday 31st January at Ramada Encore Hotel, 312 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2EA, United Kingdom. (http://www.encoremiltonkeynes.co.uk/location/). It is approximately 4 miles from Junction 14 on the M1.
Tea & Coffee will be served from 10am. The day is scheduled to start at 10:30am with a break for Lunch. We will be finished by 4:30pm. No Lunch will be provided however there are facilities on-site and nearby; also you can bring your own. You should bring a pen/pencil and paper to make notes.
We intend to hold presentations on all the key basic areas of officiating American Football. These include:
Philosophy of Officiating
Running Plays
Kicking Plays
Passing Plays
Use of Officials' Assistants
There will be a short introductory presentation on BAFRA and the wider British American Football community, as well as some general discussion of officiating American Football.
This day is intended to serve as an ideal introduction to officiating American Football. If you have any questions or are interested in attending please send me an email confirming you attendance to recruitment@bafra.org.
Ben Griffiths
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NAME |
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TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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No new items this week |
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Previous weeks |
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Duncan Palmer |
48 |
Warwick Wolves |
FPF |
4 |
Player headbutted an opponent with whom he was still engaged several seconds after the play ended. |
25/01/09 v Reading Knights |
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Note: it is the responsibility of the individual teams to ensure that their suspended players serve their suspensions in the proper game (according to the BAFA Disciplinary Code), and any dates mentioned here are intended only as a guide. |
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HOME TEAM |
REPORT |
NEXT HOME GAME |
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None new this week |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Leeds Celtics |
No team area markings. Home team had no game balls, we had to use the away team's balls. Tony Newsham #302 |
08/02/09 v Staffordshire Stallions |
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Essex Blades |
Field markings extended 5 yards into the end zone. The top half of one upright was missing (apparently it had been stolen in the week by drunken students). Enough of the upright remained for the goal to be serviceable. Alan Dobson #308 |
15/02/09 v Kent Falcons |
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Royal Holloway Bears |
This was a Royal Holloway home game played at Portsmouth. There were numerous calls to the medical people on call throughout the game of which at least 2 lasted 5 minutes or more. None were serious enough to have to call an extra ambulance to take anyone away. Credit to Portsmouth for remarking the pitch again. There were 9 yard marks instead of numbers. Goals were the same as last 3 weeks, too wide and too short. Crew were not paid. Colin Willox #539 |
25/01/09 v Brighton Tsunami |
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Staffordshire Stallions |
The pitch was hard and slightly frozen when we arrived, kick off was delayed until 1-45 awaiting ambulance which was held up at serious road accident. Staffordshire have now received new padding for the posts. Charlie Dean Young #258 |
25/01/09 v Nottingham Outlaws |
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Reading Knights |
Reading had only one cheque for all officials and bafra Brian Yates #29 |
08/02/09 v Birmingham Lions |
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Glasgow Tigers |
Crew arrived to be met by the Groundsman who stated that the astroturf pitch was unplayable and he had already called off a soccer match due to take place later in the day. Pitch was frozen solid, waited until shortly after 12pm and reinspected pitch. Some areas had thawed sufficiently to be playable but at least 1/3 of the pitch was still frozen solid and deemed to dangerous to allow the game to go ahead. Henry Richardson #358 |
08/02/09 v Stirling Clansmen |
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Brighton Tsunami |
Field markings almost impossible to see until the sun went down (red markings on dark green astroturf). Team areas marked out with cones. Goals affixed to fence around field and had soccer goals in front of them - they were just behind the end line and not padded. Two wires ran across the field at roughly the 30 yard lines, but the ball never touched them in flight. Crew had to wait until 11.45 to get into the changing rooms (locked), they were freezing cold and could not be locked. Start of game delayed until 13.10 while we waited for the ambulance. Dan Bridgland #506 |
25/01/09 v Royal Holloway Bears |
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ARU Phantoms |
With 6:30 left in first quarter chain crew was changed. The game was suspended at half time for 55 minutes due to an injured player being taken to hospital. Due to fading light the third and fourth quarters were reduced to 12 minute running clock. Lee Baker #413 |
01/02/09 v Essex Blades |
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U T Cougars |
No goal posts. No team areas markings, no nine yard marks numbers 5yrds from sideline. Well done to both teams for what was a great game played in great spirit. Tony Newsham #302 |
08/02/09 v Sunderland Spartans |
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BNU Buccaneers |
No team areas or coaching boxes. No access to changing room until 45 mins before kick off. Brian Yates #29 |
25/01/09 vs Oxford Cavaliers |
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Kent Falcons |
No ambulance or paramedic with sufficient kit and vehicle arrived at the game (apparently a crew were booked and paid for but were not answering their phones). There would have been a kit clash if we played (Kent were in black and Greenwich in dark blue. Kent had a white training kit which they were prepared to lend to Greenwich if the game had gone ahead. Greenwich only have one kit.) Kent did not have 3 legal game balls. Numbers were too small and close to sideline (tops were about 6-7 yards from sideline). Team areas were between the 20 yard lines. No limit lines. Field surface very muddy even before planned kick off time. Dan Bridgland #506 |
08/02/09 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
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Cardiff Cobras |
Late kick-off (13:45) due to late arrival of ambulance so, with the agreement of both coaches, we played 4 * 12 minute quarters. Russell Newton #324 |
08/02/09 v Warwick Wolves |
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Leicester Longhorns |
Field markings faint, NFL hashmarks, only one person for the chain crew, away team had to supply two people for the chain crew. Chain crew did a good job. Martin Cockerill #345 |
22/02/09 v Staffordshire Stallions |
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GCU Roughriders |
90 Yard field, no limit lines, no coaching box or team area marked out, no numbers on field, no hash marks at inbounds lines or on sidelines. Chain crew reluctantly supplied after kickoff time. No ball boys supplied. Officials were not paid, the home team management asked for the names of officials to be forwarded to them to allow cheques to be obtained from their university. Apparently officials names were sent on Thursday evening and the finance dept of the University is closed on a Friday so the team were unable to obtain the cheques. BAFRA admin fee also not paid Henry Richardson #358 |
25/01/09 v Northumbria Mustangs |
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Sunderland Spartans |
No 9 yard marks
or numbers, NFL Hashmarks, yard lines only every 10 yard lines, no
team areas marked, hashmarks unevenly spaced. No Goal posts. No
Yardage markers or Pylons. Field Surface was very uneven and in
places very boggy. Grass was very long, and unevenly cut. One
game ball deflated during 4th quarter and game management was
unable to reflate it. Ben Griffiths #228 |
25/01/09 vs Napier Mavericks |
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Lancaster Bombers |
Game played on an 80 yard pitch with faint blue markings which were hard too see. Field goals were poles attached to fence outside pitch. No coaches area, limit lines or hash marks at sidelines. No pylons, flat cones were used instead. Officials had to wait 15 minutes after the game for the changing rooms to be unlocked. Ben Griffiths #228 |
08/02/08 v Sheffield Sabres |
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Huddersfield Hawks |
The game was shortened to 10 minute quarters after a delay due to a lack of padding around the posts. The field markings were dark blue and difficult to see against the green grass. The field was slightly wider than prescribed. Both teams shared one side of the field, as the other would not allow for a team area and coaching box between sideline and team area. The chain crew had to be changed half way through the first quarter because of improper conduct. Tim Vickers #129 |
25/01/09 vs Lancaster Bombers |
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UWE Bullets |
Field only 80 yards. No hashmarks. One set of goal posts. No team or coaches areas marked. No numbers on field; numbers on sideline constantly blew over. Mike LeFevre #341 |
08/02/09 vs Bristol Barracuda |
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Southampton Stags |
90-yard field, 8-yard end zones, goals attached to fence about 2 yards off the end lines. Game suspended for 6 minutes in the 3rd quarter to treat an injured player. Alan Dobson #308 |
01/02/09 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
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Note: it is possible that any game may be cancelled, or any team may arrange additional games. In addition, the large number of game cancellations this week means that the fixtures listed here are highly likely to change. Any dates mentioned here are intended only as a guide. |
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PLAY OF THE WEEK:
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New this week |
Play:
A's ball, 4th and 16, on B's 49. A9's punt is blocked and rolls
toward A's goal line. A9 accidentally kicks the ball on A's 26.
The ball rolls to A's 6 where B82 bats the ball forward and out of
bounds in A's end zone. Ruling?
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Last week's play |
Play:
Free kick on A's 30. With the score tied and one second remaining
in the fourth quarter, A4's free kick lands on B's 25 and rolls to
B's 15 where B33 recovers and runs to A's 40, where A32 tackles
him and is called for an incidental face mask. During B33's run,
B54 blocked A64 below the waist on A's 41. Time expires during the
down. |
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Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
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2008 |
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February 7th (Sat) |
BAFA Board Meeting |
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February 21st (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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April 4th (Sat) |
BAFRA AGM |
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April 25th (Sat) |
BAFA Board Meeting |
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May 9th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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July 18th (Sat) |
BAFA Board Meeting |
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July 25th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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October 24th (Sat) |
BAFA Board Meeting |
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November 21st (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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BAFRA Directors |
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President |
Jim Briggs |
General Secretary |
Paul Sutton |
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Finance |
Charles Dean-Young |
Operations |
Pete Johnson |
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Recruitment |
Ben Griffiths |
Training |
David Parsons |
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Director without Portfolio #1 |
Dan Bridgland |
Director without Portfolio #2 |
Keith Wickham |
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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.org. Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.org) is midnight Tuesday. |
Editor: Dean Wright - Email: newsflash@bafra.org