NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

A Davidson

1

Essex Spartans

FGT

1

At 12:40 in the 1st quarter, he threw a punch at an opponent after the play was dead.

30/05/10 v Bedfordshire Blue Raiders

Stuart Niven

54

Edinburgh Wolves

FPF

4

After the ball was dead # 54 punched an opposing player.

30/05/10 v Chester Romans

Joseph Deeney

23

Kent Exiles

FGT

3

Aggrieved at being held by an opponent (who was penalised for the foul) #23 of Kent retaliated by swinging a punch at that opponent.

30/05/10 v Colchester Gladiators

Previous weeks – None

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.

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Hampshire Thrashers (and Youth)

Upon arrival for the youth game there were no hashmarks in the middle of the field, but they were painted and completed just prior to kickoff. Kickoff to the senior game delayed by 30 mins due to youth game. One of the ball boys was changed at half time.

Jim Briggs #31 and Dave Knight #135

06/06/10 v Berkshire Renegades (senior & youth)

West Coast Trojans

Kick-off delayed 25 minutes due to late arrival of the Ambulance

Henry Richardson #25

20/06/10 v Highland Wildcats

Bolton Bulldogs

This was the Junior Kitted Tournament. Start of tournament delayed by approximately 30 minutes due to late arrival of Balby Carr Mustangs. Plaudits to the hosts Bolton Bulldogs for some first-class game management (and some excellent packed lunches). The officials were made to feel very welcome by the hosts.

Ben Griffiths #228

Unknown

Ipswich Cardinals

The officials were presented with 3 10 year olds as the change crew, this was rejected and three other people where found who did an excellent job.

Martin Cockerill #345

20/06/10 v Colchester Gladiators

Kent Exiles

The field at Crockenhill FC has been marked out fairly well in one half but not so well in the other. At the 30 yard line in one half the yard line has been marked straight(ish) but also with an "arc", making it a little confusing. The in bounds lines are also not 1 yard apart in some places in the same half of the field.

Chains broke at least twice. Numerous changes of ball persons and chain crew during the double header as some of the assistants were players on Kent Exiles Youth. Ability of officials' assistants varied greatly. Ball person on away team sideline during senior game especially poor and inattentive.

Dan Bridgland #506

30/05/10 v Colchester Gladiators

Manchester Titans Youth

The Kick-Off was delayed by 40 minutes due to late arrival of the officials from the previous game (from 16:00 to 16:40). The game kick-off was also delayed as the away team were unable to provide a roster and the home team game management were tried to source a 2nd ball-person. The Away team had booked their coach to leave at 18:30 and as a result the game was reduced to 10 minutes quarters with the agreement of both Head Coaches. One ball-person was changed at half-time.

Other than lack of a second ball-person, the Manchester game management was first-class (as was the Game Management at Lancashire earlier in they day, and at Bolton the previous day!)

Ben Griffiths #228

13/06/10 v Lancashire Wolverines

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Maidstone Pumas

Game was played on a 70-yard field at New Line Academy, Loose, despite being contrary to rule 1-2-1-a-3. This made the kicking game a bit of a mockery due to excessive touchbacks, but apart from this, the field markings were generally good and a competitive, if error-strewn game was possible.

Tim Ockendon #481

06/06/10 v Essex Spartans

East Kent Mavericks

Upon arrival at Keynes College we were informed by home team management that American Football referees have been prohibited from using the changing facilities at Keynes College due to alleged issues with the manner in which they were left at the previous game 2 weeks ago. 3 of the 4 officials on the crew (me included) were on the previous game and our understanding is that there should have been no such issues as we left the changing rooms as we found them.

Today we had to change at the new sports complex which is at least a 5 minute drive from Keynes College. These changing facilities are very good (clean, quiet, separate shower and toilet) but are quite small for even a 4 man crew (they are designed for soccer officials' use). We were permitted to use 2 changing rooms if we wanted however.

Field markings not changed from 2 weeks ago (top of numbers only 6 yards infield, inbounds lines a further 6 yards infield). Chain crew had 2 members changed at halftime and one ball person was changed.

Daniel Bridgland #506

20/06/10 v Cambridgeshire Cats

Cornish Sharks

80yard field, 10yard end zones. Nine yard marks missing NFL hash marks.

Martin Cockerill #345

13/06/10 v Milton Keynes Pathfinders

Birmingham Bulls

Kick off was delayed by half-hour while chain set was brought from Birmingham University who had borrowed them.

Brian Yates #29

11/07/10 v Tamworth Phoenix

Shropshire Revolution

It was reported to me with 50 seconds remaining that the down box operator had a two way radio, which he had used to update the scoreboard operator and the commentator errors on the board. Lancashire had objected claiming an unfair advantage. By rule no offence had occurred, unless the league has sanctions. This was a great game with a 50yard field goal, and both sides playing good hard football.

Charlie Dean-Young #258

06/06/10 v Sheffield Predators

Oxford Saints

Official's room was probably the smallest I have seen. Another room next door is larger but full of clutter and made showering difficult.

Brian Yates #29

30/05/10 v Birmingham Bulls

Gateshead Senators

Game played on a multi-use pre-marked astroturf pitch with white soccer markings. No 9 yard marks, team area indicated by 5 a side markings. 90 yard pitch with 8 yard endzones. Goal posts 12 yards from goal line, one set not parallel to end line.

Tzvi Lindeman #381

30/05/10 v Yorkshire Rams

Manchester Titans

Members of chain crew changed at half time. New crew not presented to officials until kick off for second half. Home team charged with a delay penalty. In the youth game beforehand there was one change of ballboy at half time.

Mike Cavanagh #465

30/05/10 v Shropshire Revolution

South London Renegades Youth

Poor uneven surface, grass patchy, some fair sized bare patches and dips in the ground. No 5 yd lines, 10yd lines were variable - some more, some less than 10yds, no hashes, no 9yd marks, no team area, no coaches area. EZ's smaller than 7yds.

No footballs, visitors supplied a couple of footballs.

Steve Tonkinson #99

06/06/10 v East Kent Mavericks

South Wales Warriors

Home team agreed to use their old white kit due to a colour clash with Leicester, but the old white kit has the single numbers prefixed by zero. Leicester provided the game balls and the ball boys. Chain crew provided less than 30 minutes before kick-off. No 9 yd markings (or numbers). Extra point marking was at the 4 yd line at one end. No coaches boxes. The changing room is okay for the 3 man rugby officials but is cramped for a 5 man crew. Announcer was critical of a DPI against South Wales.

Russell Newton #324

30/05/10 v Tamworth Phoenix

London Blitz

Kickoff delayed 10 minutes due to both teams' indecision about whether to conduct a card check. Any crews working at Finsbury Park this season should be aware that London Blitz are now supplying a microphone for the Referee.

Alan Dobson #308

20/06/10 v Coventry Jets

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.

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: Team A's punt is first touched by A88, then picked up by B45, who runs five yards and fumbles. A22 picks up the fumble and scores. During A22's run, B75 clips.
Ruling?

Previous week's play

Play: A's ball on B's 30, 4th and 6. A4's field goal attempt is partially blocked. The ball hits the ground on B's 25 and rebounds behind the neutral zone where A87 muffs the ball on B's 31. The ball rolls out of bounds on B's 32.
Ruling? The kick crosses the neutral zone when it hits the ground on B's 25. A87 commits an illegal touching violation because the kick has crossed the neutral zone and the ball has not touched an opponent after crossing the neutral zone. The ball would be put in play on B's 30 if A87 did not touch the kick. Team B will elect to take the ball at the spot of the illegal touching. B's ball on B's 31, 1st and 10. The clock starts on the snap.

Date

Event

Contact for details

2009

July 17^th (Sat)

BAFRA board meeting

president@bafra.org

October 31^st (Sun)

Broncos @ 49ers, Wembley

November 20^th (Sat)

BAFRA board meeting

president@bafra.org

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.org

General Secretary

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

Finance

Andrew Lovell

finance@bafra.org

Operations

Pete Johnson

operations@bafra.org

Recruitment

Ben Griffiths

recruitment@bafra.org

Training

Charlie Dean Young

training@bafra.org

Director without Portfolio #1

Martin Cockerill

dwp1@bafra.org

Director without Portfolio #2

Steve Tonkinson

dwp2@bafra.org

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.