2009 EXAM

A number of papers have been returned already. I am acknowledging via e-mail the receipt of papers, if you think that I should have received yours and you hear nothing it may not have reached me (or there may be a problem with your e-mail account). If in doubt feel free to check with me. Remember that papers must be with me by 9^th May at the latest. Unless an extension has been granted (and only the Director of Training may grant such an extension) marks will be deducted for late submission. Once the results are published, no further papers will be accepted whatever the circumstances. It is mandatory for qualified officials to sit the exam (this also applies to officials who become qualified during the exam period); failure to do so will prevent you from officiating as it will invalidate your insurance. However, I hope that all officials who received the exam will attempt it.

Papers without the correct postage will not be accepted. Note that the envelopes the papers were distributed in at the Convention require postage to be applied at the large letter rate (currently 61p first class or 47p second class) if they are used to return the exam answer sheet. Every year one or two people send their papers back by recorded delivery. If you do this please let me know in advance and I will make sure that there is someone around to sign for it. Otherwise I have to make arrangements with Royal Mail to redeliver which delays the whole process by at least two days and towards the end of the exam period this could put you outside of the time limit.

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

PLAUDITS

I have received the following note from the Gloucester Banshees:

“I would like you to pass on congratulations to the crew that officiated at the Renegades v Banshees game on the 12th April. Even though the Banshees had managed to leave our uniforms behind in Gloucester (resulting in some delay to the kick off). The officials were more than understanding of the situation, as were the Renegades. The game kicked off a little bit late, around 3pm, but what a cracking game it was – unfortunately the Banshees were on the wrong end of the result by a point.

Nevertheless I felt that I had to let you know that the lads in the black and white stripes were excellent ambassadors for BAFRA. After the game to a man they were easily accessible to me. You should be well pleased with them; and we have never had a seven man crew before!

With kindest regards to everyone at BAFRA”

Phil Clarke

operations@bafra.org

EFAF GAME IN ALDERSHOT

Farnham Knights play Amsterdam Crusaders this Saturday (18^th) at 2.30pm at the Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot. If you don't have a game and want to come and see what European football is like, I'm sure you'll be welcome.

Jim Briggs

president@bafra.org

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Congratulations to Stuart Briggs on completing the Induction Training Programme. My thanks to Chris Jarvis for helping with Stuart’s training.

Davie Parsons

training@bafra.org

KIT FOR NEW MEMBERS

I have been made aware that a number of members are finding difficulties ordering new kit from Honigs Europe. In addition, there are many new members who may be interested in ordering kit en masse. If any members are interested making a large group order – or if any members are travelling to the USA soon and would be willing to buy some gear out there – they can contact me and I will put them in contact with each other.

Dean Wright

newsflash@bafra.org

RULES ERRATA #2

Thanks to Charlie Dean-Young for pointing out that the "Notes for Groundsmen" in the rulebook was not updated to reflect the new 7-yard end zone rule. Paragraph 2 should therefore read:

2. A full sized field is 360ft long and 160ft wide, consisting of two 10yd end zones and twenty 5yd grid segments. If there is insufficient length, it may be shortened to 330ft by taking two 5yd segments out of the middle (i.e. the 45yd line thus becomes the half-way line). If absolutely necessary, a further 18ft may be saved by reducing the size of both end zones to the minimum allowed 7yds. A legal field cannot therefore be marked if there is less than 104yds (312ft) between the goal posts.

A couple of amendments to Rule 14:

The line "Successful Try Touchdown (scored by Team B) 2 Points" is missing from the tables in both rules 14-2-23 and 14-3-31.

Finally, Rule 14-3-21 should read:

"Each team is entitled to two charged team timeouts during each half. During extra periods, each team shall have one charged timeout per period. Charged timeouts may not be retained into the succeeding half or extra period."

The first sentence was missing in the printed version.

Please amend your rulebook accordingly. Apologies for the inconvenience. The web version has already been updated.

Jim Briggs

rules@bafra.org

DISCIPLINARY CASES

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

CALENDAR