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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 01/10 |
27th January 2010 |
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BAFRA Newsflash |
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Issue: 01/10 |
27th January 2010 |
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BAFRA ANNUAL CONVENTION – SAT 20TH AND SUN 21ST MARCH 2010
I can now confirm our Annual Convention and Training weekend will take place on the above weekend. There will be plenty of information appearing in Newsflash over the coming weeks. At last year's event we celebrated our 25th Anniversary and had our biggest and best Convention for many a year, 75 members attended and everyone played their part in making it such a success. I’m sure with everyone’s help we can make this years event just as successful. So make sure you keep up to date via Newsflash
Guest Speaker
I am currently in negotiations to bring over a guest speaker again from the USA. Hopefully I will have more news on this front in a week or so. Our last 4 speakers have all been fairly well received and contributed considerably to the Convention. Lets hope we make it 5 in a row.
Location
The Convention will be held at The Coventry Hill Hotel, Rye Hill, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9PH, on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April 2009. Location and directions can be found on the hotel website: www.coventryhillhotel.co.uk
Registration
To register for the convention, you need to contact, Charles Dean-Young. Charlie can be contacted by email at finance@bafra.org. I will be making up personalised Convention Packs with Presentation handouts, Game Film DVD, Programme of Events, etc. As such you do need to pre-register.
Accommodation
Again we have negotiated excellent rates for accommodation which are detailed below. In addition, the BAFRA Board has also agreed to provide some funding to keep down the costs. The rates indicated are per room and include all discounts and a full breakfast.
Twin Room: £40.00 per night (So sharing with someone will only cost you £20.00 each per night)
Single Room: £40.00 per night
To take advantage of the above rates you must book your room via Charles Dean-Youngm, contactable via finance@bafra.org. Remember, you will pay a lot more if you go direct to the Hotel!
Over the last couple of years quite a few people have stayed at the hotel on the Friday night. As such the above rates are available again for both the Friday and Saturday nights.
As the event promises to be our biggest and best for a while I would recommend booking your room as early as possible. You can do this at the same time you register to attend.
Davie Parsons
2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2010 Annual General Meeting of the British American Football referees’ Association Limited will be held at 5:00pm on Saturday 20th March 2010 at The Coventry Hill Hotel, Rye Hill, Birmingham Road, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9PH as part of this year’s Convention.
Whilst all members are welcome to attend, only qualified members may propose resolutions, stand for election as directors or vote. Papers requesting nominations for vacant director positions or resolutions for the meeting will be sent out by e-mail on or before 30th January to all qualified members. It is important, therefore, that people ensure that they have informed me of any change in their e-mail address. Papers will be sent by post to any qualified members without e-mail.
The Regulations of BAFRA Limited require that each Director must seek re-election at the end of their term of office should they wish to continue. This year four positions are to be elected:
Director of Training
Director without Portfolio #1
General Secretary
President
Please note that the present incumbents of the Director of Training, Director without Portfolio #1 and President posts have all indicated that they will NOT be seeking re-election to those posts at the coming AGM. The General Secretary has indicated that he WILL be seeking re-election to that post.
Anyone who is considering standing for any of the four vacancies is welcome to contact the present incumbent to discuss what is involved, or if they prefer, another director.
There will be a report from each director at the AGM and all members may ask questions on matters arising from those reports or other matters under each director’s area of responsibility, details of which may be found in the Members’ Handbook.
Paul Sutton
A NOTE FROM JIM BRIGGS
As you can see from the notice above, I will NOT be seeking re-election as President when my term of office ends at the AGM in March. I'll stand down as a BAFA director at the same time.
I've been President for over 4 years and that's had an impact on family life. I have promised my wife that I will not be away from home on so many Saturdays in the future and standing down will hopefully free up 8 or so of them. I am however intending to carry on my rules and mechanics duties, and hope to be able to devote a bit more time to training and related things.
If anyone would like to discuss what the President does, or any other aspect of how BAFRA works, please feel free to contact me.
Jim Briggs
2009 SURVEY OF MEMBERS
98 BAFRA members responded to this year's survey. On behalf of the directors I take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time and trouble to respond. The directors will use the information gathered to take the Association forward in 2010. Highlights of the results are:
Communication
Nearly 45% of members joined BAFRA between 2005 and 2009 while 27.5% joined between 1984 and 1989. This highlights both the success of recent recruitment efforts and also the dearth of people joining in the 1990s – only 13% of current members joined in that decade.
Less that 80% of members read newsflash every week – the lowest figure since the survey began in 2006. This seems surprising especially BAFRA communications are rated highly by members.
There has been an increasing trend over the four years the survey has been conducted for members to check their e-mail more than once per day – 50% now check that frequently. Less that 60% visit the BAFRA website weekly – again the lowest figure since the survey began.
Availability and Assignments
Over 77% of respondents were available regularly during 2009 – a slightly lower than in previous years although this may be accounted for by rather more affiliate members than usual returning their forms.
Around 75% of members thought that they worked about the right number of games in 2009 with 15% thinking they worked too few. This is a surprising statistic in a year in which many people worked a considerable number of double- headers in the summer. Only one person thought that they worked too many games (the remainder were not active).
Just under 80% of people thought that they were working at the correct level although 19.5% thought that they should be working a higher level of games. Regarding distance travelled, 62% thought that the amount of travelling they had to do was about right, 32% thought they had to go too far “occasionally” and 4.5% thought they went too far “often”. One brave soul wanted to travel more!
The area of greatest dissatisfaction seemed to be around the level of notice people received for their games. In past years over 60% of members have said they were given sufficient notice for all of their games, this dropped to 33% in 2009. Likewise, the number who never received a short-notice change of assignment fell from 34% in 2008 to 18% in 2009. 74% said they did not pull out of an assignment at short notice.
The main reasons that people had to turn down games were family problems and work problems. The number pulling out because of football related injuries was the lowest for three years.
Over 90% of members think the game fees are about right for all levels of football in Britain. Nearly 65% of officials would prefer to work on five-person crews – 60% said the same even if teams only paid for four officials.
77% said they will be working regularly throughout the University season with over 82% expecting to next summer.
Opinions of American Football Associations in Britain
70% of members thought the BAFRA directors for a good or excellent job with only 2% thinking they did a poor or very poor job. Conversely, only18% thought the leagues did a good or excellent job with 29% thinking they did a poor or very poor job. 25% thought that game management people did a good or very good job with 27% thinking they did a poor or very poor job.
35.5% of members said coaches did a good or excellent job while only 8.5% thought they did a poor job.
Worryingly, less than 14% thought that BAFA did a good or excellent job with over 39% thinking they did a poor or very poor job. In addition 17% said they do not know what BAFA do.
Free text questions:
“What suggestions do you have for future BAFRA Conventions and other Training Events?”
The most popular answers here were Keep the Convention as it is, Change the venue, More situational/rôle playing simulations/practical sessions and split the breakout sessions to experienced/less experienced officials. Other comments included remember the need to entertain as well as inform, have a “Brains Trust” panel and hold some training events in Scotland.
“What suggestions do you have regarding break-out sessions at the Convention?”
Many respondents suggested sessions aimed at newer officials or officials at different levels, sessions on individual positions (especially deep officials) and more interactive/ practical sessions. Other ideas included a session on flag football, 5-on-5 contact and a workshop on assessments.
“If you had to convince someone to take up officiating, what would you say to them?”
Easily the most popular answer was the camaraderie. Another that featured frequently was that it is a fantastic sport in which to be involved and best view in the house. Others getting a mention included looks good on your CV; it is character building and a relaxed atmosphere in which to do your job.
“What do you think BAFRA does particularly well?”
Communication, training and scheduling were easily the top three. Others mentioned were finance management, professionalism and the respect BAFRA has within the game.
“What do you think that BAFRA should be doing that it isn’t doing already?”
This brought in a mixed-bag of answers, the most popular of which were establish regional groups where they do not already exist and grow our funds through sponsorship or other income. Other things mentioned were getting involved with teams at a local level, supplying kit and re-thinking the way in which play-off games are assigned.
“What do you think that BAFRA should be doing better?”
Two clear themes emerged here: recruitment strategies (recruiting and retaining) and scheduling. It is interesting that the latter appeared in things done well and things that need to be done better. Amongst the diverse other things mentioned were a programme to improve the weaker officials, run more clinics for teams and reduce the cost of officials to teams.
The full results of the survey with comparisons to previous years where appropriate will appear on the website.
Paul Sutton
TRAVEL EXPENSES PAID
Travel expenses have now been sent to officials who are owed more than £10, and don't owe BAFRA any money.
If you haven't received your cheque, and you expect payment, in the first instance please contact the Referee for the game to ensure game day paperwork has been posted, as we have not received paperwork for a number of games.
Andrew Lovell
CHANGES TO TRAVEL EXPENSES POLICY
Expenses policy has been changed to make it explicit that expenses will not be paid if an official asks to work in a specific area, or game that they would not normally be assigned.
For example, if an Official based in Staffordshire asked to be assigned to a game in Kent for personal reasons, they would not be eligible to claim travel expenses for that game.
It does not apply when an Official is asked by BAFRA to cover long distance games, but is designed to stop BAFRA being used to subsidise personal travelling.
Andrew Lovell
ASSIGNMENTS
You should all have received the latest assignments for the remainder of the BUAFL regular season. If there is anyone who may be able to work one of the TBC slots (maybe your availability has changed ) please could you email me and let me know.
The latest assignments are on the BAFRA website.
Pete Johnson
DISCIPLINARY CASES
The game between Cambridgeshire Cats and London Cobras on 6th September prompted a couple of BAFA disciplinary cases which the BAFL have been dealing with. These cases have now been resolved.
BAFL found the Cambridgeshire Cats guilty of bringing the game into disrepute for abandoning the game without adequate reason, and for failing to control their playing and coaching staff. The Cats are suspended from play-off football for a period of 12 months, though the suspension is suspended for two years provided the Cats are not subject to any further disciplinary action and complete all their fixtures during that time.
Cats player Cornelius Walker was found guilty of misconduct at the end of the game in an incident that involved a thrown water bottle. He has been suspended for two games, being the next two competitive games for which he is registered.
We understand that neither the Cats nor Mr Walker intend to appeal against the decision.
Jim Briggs
REGIONAL TRAINING MEETINGS
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REGION |
DATE OF NEXT MEETING |
VENUE |
CONTACT |
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Solent |
18th February |
Jim's House, Havant |
Jim Briggs |
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NAME |
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TEAM |
CODE |
Q |
OFFENCE |
SUSPENDED |
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New this week – None |
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Previous weeks – None |
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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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New this week |
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Bristol Barracudas |
With 1:07 left to play in the 2nd quarter and after obtaining the agreement of both head coaches the half time was taken after the Paramedic crew was asked to attend a paediatric emergency that was occurring in the adjacent sports hall. The game resumed at the start of the third quarter after a half time interval of 25 mins. The officiating crew would like to acknowledge the assistance given by the medical staff and the co-operation from both sets of coaches and players. Through out the game, on numerous occasions the chain became detached from one of the stakes and the game had to be stopped to repair the chain set; the crew used an entire years' normal supply of chain repair kit in an afternoon. Colin Edwards #76 |
14/02/10 v UWE Bullets |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Loughborough Aces |
Only one set of posts. Restricted team areas and limit lines, due to field being enclosed by fence. 90 yd pitch Cam Gibson #286 |
28/02/10 v Leicester Longhorns |
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Hertfordshire Hurricanes |
Posts were soccer goals with extensions. NFL hashmarks were width of goalposts. All field markings in Red. Lee Mills #70 |
07/02/10 v Southampton Stags |
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Manchester Tyrants |
The game was moved from Manchester to Huddersfield due to both Manchester's primary and alternate field's being unplayable. The game was played at Fartown in Huddersfield. The only available changing facilities were in a some-what dilapidated porta-cabin, which officials had to use in between their use by the teams, a rugby league referee, two rugby league junior teams and two open age rugby league teams. The pitch was marked with a variety of white, blue and red lines. There same pitch was also marked for Rugby with white markings. The pitch was 85 yards between goal-lines. No team areas were marked. Ben Griffiths #228 |
31/01/10 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Tarannau Aberystwyth |
The chainset was broken last season. The chain was attached to the top of one stantion, which therefore had to be held upside down. No repair has been made in the eight months since we were last here. The team were told that this must be repaired before next game. The officials assistants were the cheerleaders and several changes were made during the game. Charlie Dean Young #258 |
07/02/10 v Bangor Muddogs |
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Oxford Cavaliers |
80 yard field, no numbers, no team areas, small changing room. G Coleman #177 |
31/01/10 v Warwick Wolves |
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Portsmouth Destroyers |
No numbers or 9 yard marks, hash marks were offset with respect to the goalposts and vanished in the mud as the game progressed. The uprights on both sets of goal posts were very short. D Wright #553 |
31/01/10 v Brighton Tsunami |
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Bangor Muddogs |
Due to their regular pitch being waterlogged, Bangor had to play on a artificial pitch at another part of the University. The pitch was hastily marked out and had wonky lines, no 5 yd lines and two sidelines did not extend to the endzone at one end. The endzones were 7 yds in length, there were no posts so no field goal kicks were permitted. There were hash marks on the sideline and in inbounds but no 9 yd markings. Despite having received an invoice prior to the game, the officials were not paid as the AU President had disappeared before the game ended.
Bangor have stated that they hope to move to their grass pitch once the weather allows them to. In the meantime, they will address their current pitch issues brought to their attention by the crew. C Unwin #570 |
28/02/10 v Tarannau Aberystwyth |
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Brighton Tsunami |
No solid yardage lines apart from goal lines, only extended hashmarks every 10 yards. No team areas on either sideline; improvised barrier to keep non-players out on home team sideline. Goalposts lashed to fence surrounding field and set back from end line. Changing rooms locked and no key available at both half-time and full-time. Chain crew and ballpersons changed at half-time necessitating delay to second-half kickoff whilst new chain crew were trained. Crew not paid. Tim Ockenden #481 |
21/02/10 v ARU Phantoms |
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Worcester Royals |
Game kicked off 20 minutes late due to away team arriving late, playing time reduced accordingly. Pete Thom #200 |
31/01/10 v BNU Buccaneers |
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Lancaster Bombers |
The game was scheduled to be played an an all weather astro-turf pitch which had in the days leading up to the game been deemed playable. On the day of the game there was confusion between the two teams and the groundsmen as to the playability of the pitch and the markings of an alternative pitch. As a result of this the game was not played. The officials were paid for their time. Ben Griffiths #228 |
21/02/10 v Manchester Tyrants |
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UWS Pyros |
After the 2nd period of overtime, game was abandoned due to darkness Les Connor #152 |
31/01/10 v Edinburgh Predators |
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Kent Falcons |
Field extremely muddy but playable. There were non-white markings on the field (apparently for lacrosse). Inbounds lines are not correctly marked although hashes at sidelines are. Kent had 7 balls, none of which was particularly good. We used two of theirs and one from UEA. There were multiple changes of ball persons and chain crew members. Dan Bridgland #506 |
14/02/10 v Surrey Stingers |
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Cardiff Cobras |
The game was abandoned before the kick off for the second half due to concerns from both the Bristol coach and the medical staff that the pitch was waterlogged and therefore dangerous. At this point the score was Cardiff 12 - Bristol 13 Scott Silver #103 |
07/02/10 v Swansea Titans |
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Leeds Carnegie |
The field was 80 yards with 2x8 yard end zones. Due to marking restrictions, the five yard lines and hashmarks were made by tape stuck to the synthetic surface which progressively peeled off as the game proceeded! Credit to Carnegie for providing the only field in the Leeds area suitable to play on, and for ensuring that there was sufficient marking right to the end of the game. Tim Vickers #129 |
07/02/10 v Leeds Celtics |
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Warwick Wolves |
Game did not take place as there were no splints, and even if splints had been available the St Johns Ambulance girls were not trained to use them. The Warwicks Coach's wife was trained to use them and so Warwick spent an hour, in vain, trying to find some. Apparently the University Admin usually orders the medical requirements for games, in previous years this has worked well. G Coleman #177 |
07/02/10 v Worcester Royals |
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NTU Renegades |
Manchester played in a mixed set of shirts, red defence, black offence, but the interior line won red. The remainder of the shirts should be here before the restart after Christmas. C Dean Young #258 |
31/01/10 v Liverpool Fury |
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Note: it is possible that any game may be cancelled, or any team may arrange additional games. 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 on B's 45, 3rd and
4. A17's legal forward pass is intercepted by B49. B49 advances to
A's 40 where he fumbles. A65 recovers on A's 36 where he is
downed. A72 commits a face mask foul on A's 38 during B49's
run.
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Last week's play |
Play:
A's ball, 4th and 4, on A's 30. Team A is in a scrimmage kick
formation. A32, an exception to the mandatory numbering rule,
lines up inside end A82. Before the snap A82 shifts to a backfield
position. Team A has seven linemen at the snap. A8's punt goes out
of bounds on B's 23. |
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Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
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2009 |
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February 6th (Sat) |
BAFA board meeting |
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February 20th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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March 20th – 21st (Sat - Sun) |
BAFRA Convention & AGM |
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May 8th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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May 9th (Sun) |
BUAFL Final |
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July 24th (Sat) |
BAFRA board meeting |
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November 20th (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 |
Andrew Lovell |
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 |
Steve Tonkinson |
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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