Results of the consultation on the BAFA Disciplinary Code

Jim Briggs, 17 November 2007

Demographics

20 people completed the survey. 90% represented personal views. South Yorkshire Mustangs and Glasgow University Tigers gave representative responses.

Only one person contributed in a relevant professional capacity (police officer).

Participants were members of the following organisations:

BAFRA (3)

Bristol Aztecs

Bristol Aztecs Youth

BYAFA

Chester Romans (2)

Doncaster/South Yorkshire Mustangs (2)

Edinburgh Wolves

Fife Fire

Glasgow Tigers

Glasgow University Tigers

Greenwich Mariners

Lancashire Wolverines BAFL

Lincolnshire Bombers

Not stated (2)

Oxford Cavaliers & Reading Renegades

How long have you been involved in American Football?

Result	Responses	Percentage	Graph
Not involved	0	0.0%
Less than 3 years	1	5.0%
3-5 years	0	0.0%
6-10 years	5	25.0%
10-15 years	4	20.0%
16 or more years	10	50.0%

In what way(s) are you (or have you been) involved in American Football? (Tick all that apply)

Result	Responses	Percentage	Graph
Player	16	80.0%
Team manager / administrator	14	70.0%
Spectator at British games	12	60.0%
Coach	11	55.0%
Referee / BAFRA official	4	20.0%
Other (please specify)	2	10.0%

Other responses: Club Chairman; Photographer

Current disciplinary processes

Does your team/organisation have disciplinary policies or procedures concerning the following (tick all that apply)

Result	Responses	Percentage	Graph
Misconduct during a game	15	75.0%
Misconduct before/after a game	14	70.0%
Misconduct at training (or similar events)	12	60.0%
Unethical conduct	12	60.0%
Discrimination	9	45.0%
Child protection	8	40.0%
Making inappropriate public statements	8	40.0%
Doping	5	25.0%
Criminal offences	2	10.0%
Fraudulent administration	2	10.0%
None of the above	2	10.0%
Other (please specify)	1	5.0%
Gambling	0	0.0%
Ticket touting	0	0.0%
Negligent administration	0	0.0%

Other response: "Not having matric card, gumshield"

Which of the following punishments does your team/organisation issue? (tick all that apply)

Result	Responses	Percentage	Graph
Suspension from one or more games	15	75.0%
Warnings about future conduct	14	70.0%
Suspension for a fixed period of time	12	60.0%
Monetary fines for individuals	8	40.0%
Prohibition from being involved in the running of a team/organisation for a period of time	8	40.0%
Suspension for life	6	30.0%
Prohibition from being involved in the running of a team/organisation for life	3	15.0%
Other (please specify)	2	10.0%
Monetary fines for teams/organisations	0	0.0%

Other responses:

·         formulating at presentOther (please spec...

·         committee agrees on punishment of teh individual who breaks club rules set in the club constitution

Processes

Within the sport of American football, who do you think should be responsible for enforcing discipline against a member for each of the following matters?

For each category there are four options:

·         NONE: Nobody - this should not be covered by a sport's disciplinary code

·         BAFA: BAFA should administer this itself

·         ORGS: the accused's organisation (e.g. BAFL, BUAFL, BYAFA, BAFCA, BAFRA) should enforce this

·         OTHER: Other (please specify who you think should enforce this)

%	None	BAFA	Orgs	Other	Other responses
Doping	5	80	15
Child protection		60	30	10	Police, N/A
Criminal offences committed by BAFA members	10	60		30	Police(6)
Extreme misconduct during a game		50	50
Discrimination		50	50
Fraudulent administration	5	50	40	5	Police
Gambling	25	50	10	15	N/A(3)
Unethical conduct by coaches		45	55
Unethical conduct by referees		45	55
Negligent administration		45	55
Ejections from a game	5	40	50	5	BAFRA
Unethical conduct by other personnel		40	50	10	N/A(2)
Ticket touting	30	40	20	10	N/A(2)
Misconduct before or after a game		30	70
Making inappropriate public statements	5	30	60	5	N/A
"Cheating" (i.e. bending rules unreasonably)	5	25	65	5	N/A

Some contributors didn't think that gambling or ticket touting applied because they are not currently relevant to British American football.

Do you think American football needs an umbrella disciplinary offence like "bringing the game into disrepute" or "conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the game"?

What do you think is a reasonable length of time for a typical disciplinary case to be completed in? (Include time for the case to be made, the accused to put their side of the story, and for a judgement to be made - don't include time for appeals)

Other response: 3 weeks

Which of the following do you think are important aspects of a disciplinary code? (tick all that apply)

How should disciplinary cases normally be dealt with?

How should APPEALS arising from disciplinary cases normally be dealt with?

To what extent do you believe the principles and procedures for discipline should be standardised across BAFA and its member organisations? (select one response in each row)

Principles of justice

Procedures for deciding cases

Scale of punishments

Time limits for deciding cases

Grounds for appeal

Procedures for appeals

Which of the following do you think are appropriate punishments for a sport's disciplinary processes to issue? (tick all that apply)

What do you think the maximum fine should be imposed on an INDIVIDUAL?

Other response: Scale of fines - dependent on severity

What do you think the maximum fine should be imposed on a TEAM/ORGANISATION?

Other responses:

·         Scale of fines - dependent on severity

·         points/win deduction

·         This could depend on the steps taken by the team/organisation and those who committed the acts

What do you think is an appropriate fine for an adult player who is ejected from a game for the FIRST time in a season?

Other response: one game ban

What do you think is an appropriate fine for an adult player who is ejected from a game for the SECOND time in a season?

Other response: banned for rest of season

Are there aspects of the disciplinary processes of another organisation (sporting or otherwise) that you particularly think BAFA should take heed of? (give brief details, and if possible a URL where we can find out more)

1.      BAFCA code of discipline and conduct

Finally, you can give any other views you have, or give more detail to support the points you made above.

1.      A whole of sport plan requires a unified approach to disciplinary matter sas well as everything else. Individual organisations need to take care of general behavioural and dishonesty matters. Some differences in tyeh individual codes would probably better reflect the individual organisations. For example a referee caught gambling on the outcome of a match needs to b emore heavily disciplined than a player. A coach should be held to a higher behavioural standard than a player in a dishonesty matter. Matters impacting on the safety of the sport, child protection and doping being two big ones, should come under the BAFA umbrella. No wiggle room. Out of one, out of all.

2.      Access to BAFA Rules/Regs/Constituation would be useful

3.      Any rules / regulations being brought into practice must be given to all member clubs , including those who are affliated, so that everyone is aware of how our discipline process works.

4.      I think fining players will be hard to enforce, and as we all have to pay for the privilidge to play, may act as another financial barrier to people participating

5.      I think it is vital to avoid introducing a "bringing the game into disrepute" charge. When you look at how it is used by the FA in football, no-one can say anything against the way things are without incurring that charge. This stifles change.

6.      i think it would be benifical to have a standard process across the diffenet groups (ie BYAFA, BAFL) within BAFA, that way people know teh severity of their actions would carry the same weight no matter where you are and the level you play in. Also it would make it easier for people involved within the clubs management to communicate the processes to its memebers easily.

7.      no need to specify crimes just have one charge of bringing the game into disrepute for any criminal offence (other than minor motoring offences), then the severity of the crime and circumstances can be decided by the panel (independant if possible)

8.      Re: The responsibility for discipline: Criminal offences committed by BAFA members. If BAFA are to assess a person's criminal background prior to allowing entry into the sport will this mean ALL BAFA members need to be CRB checked prior to BAFA registration? What will the cost of this be and will registration to Leagues be delayed? Who will bear the cost? Example: Should a coach who has a conviction of sexual offences against children be allowed involvement in British American Football at any level? In my opinion, the answer should be no. But without CRB checking every BAFA member (and not just those involved with under 18s) how do 'we' police this? Good Luck!

9.      The code (http://www.bafra.org/rulesctee/rulebook/2007/discipline.html) as it stands specifically covers conduct within and around teh game. It is concerning that the consultation makes reference to "criminal acts" potentially outside of the game and allegations that could be unsubstantiated. I am concerned by the lack of understanding of the term "child protection" and even more alarmed by the use of words such as "molestation". I have yet to see BAFA or any other governing body provide suitable training for club administrators, coaches or anyone involved in governing bodies on the subject of child or vulnerable adult protection. Knee-jerk reactions akin to that seen in the media have not helped with teh administration of games or leagues. Head-strong ignorance and the refusal to accept that the law in Scotland differs to that of England have set unhealthy and in my belief unlawful precedents in terms of the disclosure of personal information under the guise of child protection. I strongly suggest that BAFA undertakes an improved level of engagement with its stakeholders in this matter beyond a web-based tick-box exercise and liaise with agencies such as Children 1st, the Scottish Government, APEX Scotland and the Central Registered Body in Scotland. I would argue that it is the role of the governing body (BAFA or BAFCA) to ensure that each and every coach has recevied basic child and vulnerable adult protection awareness training. Whilst this is a matter beyond this code, it is pertinant to point out that discipline on any matter without the accused having been informed of their expectations is somwhate remiss. BAFCA already covers coaching ethics in it's programmes. I am heartened to see that consideration is being given to provide training to disciplinary panels and that the code is being reviewed and would be happy to comment on any future revisions.

10.  The process should be standadised so that there is 'common' justice. AT present a player ejected at youth level is banned for two games whilst a senior/college player gets a one game ban for the first offense. This seems unfair to me. Both should get either a one or two game ban for the same offense.

11.  With regard to monetary penalty, I do not believe that these are justified when being administered against a team or individual as the sport is already hard pressed for financial resources. However, this situation may be mitigated according to circumstance (ie fraud) provided the fines are used in a fiscally responsible way (for example contribution to a benevolence fund or to fund grass roots development of the sport.)