EDITORIAL

Game Management

I am not sure if it is because of the new Game Management reports we are filling in, but I was pleasantly surprised when at my recent game a member of Home Management came into our changing-rooms before the game and paid us! Such luxury.

I had an email recently from Muz Gibson saying:
As an experiment we supplied the chain crew with bright yellow day-glow vests and ball boys with day-glow orange to see if this would enhance not only the game experience for those watching, but serve as a useful tool in assisting the crew in locating the ball boys in particular for ball relay. All those involved on the day gave the idea a thumbs up.

I remember that Essex Spartans used to do the same thing, and I recall that it made finding the ball-boys much easier as they stood out from the gaggle of people on the sideline. However, some of the sideline assistants would not wear them - they were either too Chavvy or not Chavvy enough.

This of course being better than nothing, should not stop teams from providing the correct attire - i.e. vests coloured as Down box operators: red; Stake operators & chain clip operator: 3-inch black and yellow stripes; Ball persons: dark blue with red diagonal stripes front and back.

I suspect that at anything other than a professional game these will never be seen, although I could be pleasantly surprised...

Roger Stangroom
newsflash@bafra.org

EXAM 2007

Reminder

For those who have not yet completed and returned their examination papers, these need to be returned so that they are received before last postal delivery 28th April 2007.

Paul Sutton
exam2007@bafra.org

SUSSEX THUNDER

Please note that Sussex Thunder have paid their officials' fees up-front, and the Referee assigned to their game should contact me on Thursday evening so that I can arrange payment.

Charlie Dean-Young
finance@bafra.org

NORWICH DEVILS CHANGE VENUE

I have been reliably informed that the Norwich Devils have changed their venue for the season for both their Senior and Youth games, although their website still shows the incorrect one. They now play at the Hewitt School, Cecil Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2PL.

Roger Stangroom
newsflash@bafra.org

MAIDSTONE PUMAS GO HOME

The Maidstone Pumas are pleased to announce that they have secured a new home field for the 2007 season and are in discussions to extend the arrangement into a long term deal.

The new ground marks the final piece in the jigsaw with the club returning to training and playing in the Maidstone area.

The first game at the new venue is scheduled for the return game against Essex Spartans on Sunday 6th May with a 12pm kick off.

Address:
Aylesford Rugby Club
The Jack Williams Ground
Hall Road
Aylesford
Kent ME20 7QU

Note: the BAFRA website has been updated to reflect this.

Ted Smith
Maidstone Pumas

EMAIL RECEIVED FROM PLYMOUTH ADMIRALS

Plymouth Admirals Venue Change

The Plymouth Admirals will be playing their home fixtures at a new venue this season,
The Parkway Sports Club Ernesettle Lane, Plymouth, PL5 2EY.

DETAILS

• Just 1/2 mile off the main A38 route into Plymouth.
• Ample coach and car parking.
• Well maintained rugby pitch of suitable length.
• Changing rooms for Home, Away and Officials.
• Ambulance access to pitchside.
• Large, modern clubhouse with conservatory from where about 75% of pitch can seen.
• Although there is no stand or seating area, the clubhouse and top car park are much higher than the pitch, offering a viewing area behind the goal posts. This gives a brilliant view for both spectators (only 30 yards from the bar) and for filming games.

DIRECTIONS

• Leave the A38 at the ST BUDEAUX turn off.
• Follow signs to Ernesettle Ind Est. This will take you onto Ernesettle Lane.
• Parkway is on the right after 1/2 mile.

Further details and maps will be on our website http://www.plymouthadmirals.co.uk.

Sam Holder-Mark
General Manager
Plymouth Admirals

JIM'S JOTTINGS

Medical facilities

We had two issues regarding medical facilities in games played on the first weekend of the BAFL season.

Both games were played without an ambulance being present: at one there was a paramedic, at the other was there was only a first aider.

Under BAFA rules, the game with the paramedic was safe to proceed. However, the other game should not have been allowed to take place. Although game management is formally responsible for determining whether the mandatory game management requirements are met, this does not absolve the officials, and in particular the referee, from responsibility. If a player had been seriously hurt, it is conceivable that a claim for negligence against the officials could have been successful.

BAFL league regulations still require an ambulance to be present at all games. If two teams wish to proceed without one, then that is a matter for the league, under the new "Sanctions" rules (13-6). However, officials should still report it as an incident.

Intentional grounding

One rule change we didn't have time to highlight at the BAFRA Convention, and which hasn't attracted much publicity because it is marked in the NCAA rulebook as an editorial change rather than a rule change, concerns the passer out of the pocket on intentional grounding calls (ING).

Rule 7-3-2-f exception 1 has had some extra words added (underlined):

"It is not a foul when the passer, who is or has been outside the frame of the body of the normal tackle position toward a sideline, throws the ball so that it lands in or out of bounds beyond the neutral zone."

Consequently, it is NOT intentional grounding if the passer is inside the "pocket" when he throws the pass, provided he has been outside the pocket and come back.

Note that it is still a foul if the ball does not land beyond the neutral zone.

Simultaneous timeouts

We had an unusual situation in a recent game I worked.

Both teams' head coaches asked for timeouts simultaneously (as far we could tell - the home team asked the Line Judge and the away team asked the Linesman - each saw the other signalling to stop the clock as he signalled to stop it).

In the event, we charged both teams with a timeout on the basis that they both wanted it. The length of the timeout was normal because both teams were ready after a minute.

Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org

DISCIPLINARY CASES

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily those of BAFRA or its Directors.