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BAFRA NEWSFLASH |
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Issue: 25/09 |
July 8th 2009 |
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BAFRA NEWSFLASH |
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Issue: 25/09 |
July 8th 2009 |
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The BAFRA Board is pleased to announce that Pete Johnson has rescinded his decision to step down as Director of Operations. Pete's family circumstances have eased slightly, and with some help from other directors, he now feels he can devote the necessary time to BAFRA. Pete will be resuming responsibility for scheduling from Phil starting from 18th July.
The Board is taking the opportunity to review the arrangements that are in place for scheduling. The recent delays in getting out assignments have been unacceptable and need to be addressed for the future. Once again, thanks to all those people who have willingly changed their plans at short notice to accommodate alterations to the schedule and the needs of teams.
Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org
Jim and Davie have now returned from Canton, where they were officiating at the IFAF Junior World Championships.
Davie was assigned as Side Judge to the 5th-6th place game, in which Germany defeated Sweden 14-0. Jim was assigned as Line Judge for the Final, which saw the USA defeat Canada 41-3 in front of 15,473 fans. Congratulations to both of them for representing BAFRA so well during the tournament. An expanded account of their time in Canton will appear in the next Neutral Zone.
Alan
Dobson
newsflash@bafra.org
The
remainder of July sees a relatively mixed month insofar as games go
with the
following requirements.
Sunday July 12th - 22 games, including Cornish
Sharks at home
Sunday July 19th - 7 games and 1 exhibition
game.
Sunday 26th July - 2 games.
We then move into August, which will be the busiest month of the season with 22+ games most weeks of the month, and quite a few home games for Scottish teams, and the playoffs starting towards the last weekend. There is also the Tri-Nations tournament in Loughborough:
Sat 18th July - Australia v Tamworth/Loughborough
combined team (warm-up) 18:00
Tue 21st July - Australia v GB 18:00
(possibly 14:00?)
Thu 23rd July - Australia v Sweden 18:00
Sat
25th July - GB v Sweden 18:00
Phil
Clarke
operations@bafra.org
As stated above, there are a lot of games coming up in August. I am trying to get a schedule out to you by the weekend of 18th/19th July, so that you all have adequate time to fix your diaries.
In order to do this, I urgently need everyone’s up-to-date availability for the August/September period. Many of you have submitted forms, but a number are still outstanding. Could i urge you all just to revisit the availability form, check that yours is still current, and submit (or resubmit) if necessary.
Also, the Selection Committee will meet during August to pick bowl and playoff crews. We will need your availability for that exercise as well.
Many thanks for your help.
Pete
Johnson
operations@bafra.org
On behalf of the BAFRA Selection Committee, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Simon Ryan and Tim Vickers have joined the Elite Programme. Please join me and the Selection Committee in offering our congratulations and best wishes to both as they move their officiating careers forward.
Pete
Johnson
operations@bafra.org
Two Swedish officials are coming over with their national team for the Tri-Nations Tournament in Loughborough. They have a free day on Friday 24th July. Is there any BAFRA member who would be willing to host them that day (perhaps take them to see some sights of the Midlands!)? If interested and/or willing, please let me know asap.
Jim Briggs
president@bafra.org
At the invitation of BAFCA, four BAFRA officials (Phil Clarke, Alan Dobson, Simon Ryan and Brian Yates) attended their convention last weekend in Loughborough. Thanks very much to Jim Messenger and everyone at the event for making us welcome and giving us a good platform from which to improve relations between officials and coaches.
On a personal level, I’d like to particularly thank Coach Shawn Watson (OC/QB coach, Nebraska), whose excellent Friday-evening explanation of how he uses the smash concept in his offense helped me make a call on Saturday at Alconbury, and whose Sunday-morning QB fundamentals session yielded a little tip to improve everybody’s ball relay (make sure you’re holding the ball in your fingers, with the palm of your hand not touching the ball, before throwing it). You never know when you’re going to learn something that could make you a better official…
Alan
Dobson
newsflash@bafra.org
BAFRA's thanks to Alan, Phil, Simon and Brian for representing us at this event.
Jim.
BAFRA have been asked to select an official to attend the EFAF Adult Flag Tournament in Belfast this coming September on the 9th.
On behalf of the Selection Committee, I am pleased to announce that Martin Cockerill has been selected to represent us at this tournament.
Please join us in congratulating Martin on his appointment.
Pete
Johnson
operations@bafra.org
It’s long past time that meetings restarted in London. Therefore, I’m inviting any official who can attend to the Doric Arch pub (formerly the Head of Steam) in Euston station on the evening of Wednesday 22nd. Please contact me for further details.
Alan
Dobson
alandobson308@googlemail.com
Top 4 teams make the Semi Finals
Semi Finals (1v4 & 2v3) played w/e 5th & 6th September
BritBowl XXIII - 4pm - Sunday 27th September, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
This is a National Play Off Competition
Top 2 teams from each Conference + 2 Wild Cards (seeded 1 - 8) make the Quarter Finals - 29/30 August . Games will be - (1) 1v8, (2) 2v7, (3) 3v6 & (4) 4v5
Semi Finals played w/e 5th & 6th September. Winner (1) v Winner (4) & Winner (2) v Winner (3)
BAFL 1 Championship - 12noon - Sunday 26th September, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
This is a Regional Playoff Competition
8 teams to make the Play Offs - Conference Champions from each conference with two wild card teams: one from North and one from the South. Each half seeded 1 - 4
North / South Split - North = Scottish, North & Central, South = East, South East and South West
Quarter Finals w/e 29/30 August - (1) 1 v Wildcard & (2) 2 v 3
Semi Finals w/e 5/6 September - Winner 1 v Winner 2
BAFL 2 Championship - 7pm - Saturday 26th September, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
This is a Regional Playoff Competition
Top 2 teams from each Conference, make the Quarter Finals - North / South Split: North = Pennines & North, South = Central & South
Quarter Finals w/e 29/30 August
North = Pennines 1 v 2 North & North 1 v 2 Pennines
South = Central 1 v 2 South & South 1 v 2 Central
Semi Finals w/e 5/6 September - Top ranked team hosting in North & South
BAFL Youth Championship - 3pm - Saturday 26th September, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
BAFL Flag Finals take place in the Athletics Arena of the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday September 5th from around 11am.
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Region |
Date of next meeting |
Venue |
Contact |
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London |
Wednesday 22nd July |
The Doric Arch, Euston Station |
Alan Dobson |
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Midlands |
first Thursday of month |
Coopers Tavern, Burton |
Charlie Dean-Young or Keith Alldritt |
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Severn |
Wednesday 8th July |
Churchill House, Bristol (tbc) |
Russell Newton |
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Solent |
Thursday 16th July |
Havant |
Jim Briggs |
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Thames Valley |
to be arranged |
Reading |
Pete Parsons |
Peterborough Saxons 14-31 Kent Exiles
Edinburgh Wolves 6-34 Manchester Titans
Birmingham Bulls 28-8 Cambridgeshire Cats
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Name |
# |
Team |
Code |
Q |
Offence |
Suspended |
4th/5th July 2009 – No new cases |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Derrick McGriffin |
17 |
London Blitz |
FGT |
4 |
Punched an opponent in the stomach. |
12/07/2009 vs Sussex Thunder |
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Anthony Wright |
41 |
Cornish Sharks |
FPF |
4 |
During a fumble return, blindsided the defenceless quarterback. |
12/07/2009 vs Hampshire Thrashers |
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Lewis Young |
47 |
Leeds Varsity Rams |
FPF |
4 |
Flagrant personal foul against a defenceless quarterback |
12/07/2009 vs Lancashire Wolverine Colts |
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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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Peterborough Saxons |
Game played at RAF Alconbury. Lines faint, no 9-yard marks/numbers. Crew had to change with teams. Stadium clock operator inadequate. Clock switched off in second quarter. Peter Thom #200 |
19/07/2009 vs Birmingham Bulls |
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Birmingham Bulls (Youth) |
Kickoff delayed 30 minutes due to visiting team’s coach breakdown and late arrival. Charlie Dean-Young #258 |
26/07/2009 vs Colchester Gladiators |
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Outstanding items from previous weeks |
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Colchester Gladiators (Youth) |
Game suspended 25 minutes to treat an injured player. Alan Dobson #308 |
02/08/2009 vs Cambridgeshire Cats |
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Leeds Varsity Rams |
Chain Uprights broken and unpadded. Chris Jarvis #10 |
12/07/2009 vs Lancashire Wolverine Colts |
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London Warriors |
No numbers or 9-yard marks. PAT mark on the 2-yard line. Game suspended for about 15 minutes each to treat injured players. Alan Dobson #308 |
TBC vs Maidstone Pumas (Postponed from 12/07/2009) |
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Staffordshire Surge |
Poor field quality. Grass very long. Murray Gibson #268 |
12/07/2009 vs Gloucester Banshees |
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Yorkshire Rams |
Chain set not padded and in very poor state of repair. Mark Snow #430 |
12/07/2009 vs Merseyside Nighthawks |
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Sheffield Tomahawks (Youth) |
Game suspended 1hr 5 minutes while the ambulance took an injured player to hospital. Tim Vickers #129 |
02/08/2009 vs Bolton Bulldogs |
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Manchester Titans |
Medical facilities were a qualified first
aider in a rapid response type vehicle. No stretcher was
available in this vehicle but one was found within the rugby
club. No ambulance or vehicle capable of carrying a
stretcher bound patient was present, no doctor or paramedic was
on site. I refused to allow the game to start under Rule
1-5-1-d. Manchester identified to me 2 of their squad who
were qualified paramedics, one of whom (to his credit) did not
then play and took the role of paramedic in order for the medical
requirements to be met. The game kicked off on time. Alun Price #377 |
12/07/2009 vs Lancashire Wolverines |
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Plymouth Admirals |
Game was forfeited due to lack of players by Plymouth. The decision was made when the crew were en-route from Hampshire and were notified when approx 10 miles from the venue. We continued on, arrived, and asked the team to reconsider. Paperwork was dealt with and payments secured. There was consideration to stay and supervise some sort of play but the crew decided to return home as early as possible due to travelling distances involved. Simon Ryan #408 |
02/08/2009 vs Gloucester Banshees |
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Tamworth Phoenix (Youth) |
Norwich arrived with only 15 players, fewer than league rules allowed. The game was postponed. Murray Gibson #268 |
02/08/2009 vs Birmingham Bulls |
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Bedfordshire Blue Raiders |
Game suspended 15 minutes to treat an injured player. Peter Thom #200 |
09/08/2009 vs Lincolnshire Bombers |
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Farnham Knights |
Farnham Knights (both senior and youth) are now playing at Farnborough RFC. Field is 90 yards and reasonably well marked (but no numbers). Changing room fairly small but adequate. Jim Briggs #31 |
09/08/2009 vs Bristol Aztecs |
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Gateshead Senators |
The chain crew were inattentive and kept moving when not instructed to. One ballboy had to be provided by the away team and the Home team couldn't provide a ball boy for the second half. Game halted in second half when the presence of an individual in Gateshead's coaching area and on the sideline was queried. There was some confusion as to whether he was on the roster as a coach. On consulting the roster it was ascertained that he was not on it in any capacity and therefore removed from the area. Thanks to the Gateshead HC for his cooperation and help in doing this. Tim Vickers #129 |
09/08/2009 vs Dundee Hurricanes |
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London Olympians |
Played at Warren Avenue in Bromley. 100-yard field, lines only every 10 yards. Groundsman was asked to widen NFL hashmarks. Hashmarks still NFL width but 5 yds long with 1 yd gap in middle of field. 1 ballboy changed twice. Changing room too small, changed in vacant team room, not locked. No team areas. Norval Scott #374 |
09/08/2009 vs Watford Cheetahs (Referee: check venue) |
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Redditch Arrows (Youth) |
Game suspended 10 minutes to treat an injured player. Russell Newton #324 |
09/08/2009 vs Norwich Devils |
This week's Newsflash was produced by Alan Dobson. Dean Wright has now been reconnected to the internet and is ready to resume. Again, thanks to everybody for getting their reports and items in on time over the past few months: it’s been much appreciated.
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Date |
Event |
Contact for details |
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July 18th (Sat) |
BAFA Board meeting |
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July 19th (Sun) |
BAFRA Board meeting |
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July 21st, 23rd, 25th (Tue, Thu, Sat) |
Great Britain Lions tournament |
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September 26th-27th (Sat-Sun) |
BritBowl XXIII weekend |
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October 24th (Sat) |
BAFA Board meeting |
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October 25th (Sun) |
Patriots v Buccaneers @ Wembley |
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November 21st (Sat) |
BAFRA Board meeting |
Send updates to newsflash@bafra.org
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BAFRA Directors |
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President |
Jim Briggs |
president@bafra.org |
General Secretary |
Paul Sutton |
secretary@bafra.org |
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Finance |
Andrew Lovell |
finance@bafra.org |
Operations |
Pete Johnson |
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Recruitment |
Ben Griffiths |
Training |
David Parsons |
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Director without Portfolio #1 |
Dan Bridgland |
dwp1@bafra.org |
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 2359 Tuesday.
Editor: Dean Wright, Email: newsflash@bafra.org
