NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week – None

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

Maidstone Pumas

Played on a 90-yard field adjacent to the previous 70-yard field. Goals were scaffolding poles strapped to soccer goals. Soccer and other markings were clearly visible on the field and, in places, were below the normal level of the field. These were not enough to cause trip hazards though.

Tim Ockenden #481

27/06/10 v London Olympians

Sheffield Tomahawks

Although the field markings appear perfect, it became obvious when checking the hash marks against the length of the chains that in actual fact this field is measured out at least lengthways, in metres. Both coaches were notified about this as obviously we had to use the chains, meaning that it was possible for it to appear that a drive started on a yard line would gain a first down after an apparent nine and a half yards! Plaudits to Tomahawks management who paid us in exactly the right notes and coins (5x£32 + £32.50)!

Tim Vickers #129

11/07/10 v Nottingham Caesars

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Norwich Devils

On arrival at the venue for the scheduled 1200 kick-off, the crew were informed that kick-off was not in fact until 1430. The home team had also made no provision for payment of officials or BAFRA owning to an issue with their bank account.

Tim Fisher #439

Essex Spartans 04/07/10

Oxford Saints

Oxford have returned to their previous high standards. The Official's room was a reasonable size and the refreshments were much appreciated, even if some of these were sampled by a visiting injured BAFRA official.

Martin Gibson #197

Nottingham Caesars 27/06/10

South Wales Warriors

Changing rooms and chain crew inadequate.

Ray Grace #272

Birmingham Bulls 13/06/10

Gateshead Senators

This Reports is also applicable to the preceding Youth Game (Gateshead Senators vs Leeds Varsity Bobcats). Chain crew in the first half of the youth game were slow and inattentive, changed by home team at half time. The chain crew in the second half did a very good job.

As with all games at Gateshead there were soccer and hockey markings on the field (which were a mixture of White & Green). No 3-yard mark, no 9-yard marks. Apologies to Mr Marshall I incorrectly reported in Newsflash 13/10 that one Goal Post was half-way up a hill, it is not it is only 1 foot up a hill.

Ben Griffiths #228

Dundee Hurricanes 27/06/10

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

Berkshire Renegades

Game was played at the Bulmershe University campus site. Sideline hashmarks are a little too far from the sidelines, aside from this the field is very well-marked.

Dean Wright #553

Gloucester Banshees 13/06/10

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

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

Milton Keynes Pathfinders

90yd field no nine yard marks. Plaudits for both teams great game, only one major and very few other penalties in the game. Some good banter was had.

Martin Cockerill #345

Cornish Sharks 20/06/10

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

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: A's ball on A's 40, 2nd and 8. Wingback A43 goes legally in motion past the QB. Tailback A29, in a two-point stance, moves his shoulders (more than a slight adjustment) but does not simulate action at the snap. A29 is stationary at the snap but A43 continues in motion. A29 advances to A's 49 where he is downed.
Ruling?

Previous week's play

Play: A's ball on A's 30, free kick. A4's untouched free kick is rolling on A's 36 when A65 pushes B56 in an attempt to get to the ball. A72 recovers on A's 42.
Ruling? No Team A player may block an opponent until Team A is eligible to touch a free kicked ball (6-1-2-f). The penalty is 5 yards from the previous spot. A65 blocks an opponent before the ball has gone ten yards or the ball has been touched by a Team B player. During a free kick, a Team A player eligible to touch the ball may legally use his hands to push an opponent in an attempt to reach the loose ball. The penalty is 10 yards when the Team A player is not eligible to touch the loose ball (9-3-3-e-3). The last known interpretation in writing is that Rule 6-1-2-f has priority over Rule 9-3-3-e-3. A's ball on A's 25, free kick.

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.