Issue 20/26 10th June 2026
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
QUALIFIED – JACOB SMITH
Congratulations to Jacob Smith on completing all the requirements to become Qualified.
Thanks to Darren Urben, Mark Schofield, and everyone helping with Jacob’s training.
James Ford-Bannister - Director of Training
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED |
New this week | ||||
Simon Bennett | 55 | Black Country Steelers | Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct | 28th June 2026 v Northants Knights & 5th July 2026 v Shropshire Revolution |
Stuart Andrews | 79 | Black Country Steelers | Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Conduct | 28th June 2026 v Northants Knights & 5th July 2026 v Shropshire Revolution |
Jude Colvin | 80 | Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19) | Targeting - Crown of Helmet | 14th June 2026 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Lewis Smith | 67 | Glasgow Tigers | Fighting | 13th June 2026 v Inverclyde Goliaths |
Michael Lee | 58 | Lincolnshire Bombers | Flagrant Personal Foul | 28th June 2026 v Darlington Steam |
Peter Duah | 3 | Northants Knights | Flagrant Personal Foul | 14th June 2026 v Leicester Panthers |
Paul Mowbray | 71 | Nottingham Caesars | Contacting an Official | 14th June 2026 v Merseyside Nighthawks & 5th July 2026 v Merseyside Nighthawks |
Joseph Canseco Odriozola | 27 | Wakefield District Raiders | Two Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls | 25th June 2026 v Rossendale Bucks & 5th July 2026 v Leigh Miners |
Previous weeks | ||||
Sebastian Pettitt | 35 | Kent Exiles | Contacting an Official | 14th June 2026 v Essex Tridents |
Brendon Pasipangodya | 7 | Kent Exiles (U19) | Fighting | 21st June 2026 v South London Renegades & 5th July 2026 |
David Odutoolu-Oluwanya | 11 | Kent Exiles (U19) | Fighting and Contacting an Official | 21st June 2026 v South London Renegades |
Azeem Lafinhan | 23 | Manchester Titans U19 | Targeting - Defenseless Player | 13th June 2026 v Highland Wildcats |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Edinburgh Napier Knights (U19) | There were other lines on the field that had been covered over. No coaches’ line. Gordon Galloway #7 | 14th June vs East Kilbride Pirates |
Glasgow Tigers | Apart from not having numbers, the field was well marked. Ian Sneddon #427 | Unknown |
Hereford Stampede | No limit lines. Two small changing rooms were provided (along with sweets), but each room can only comfortably fit two people. Changing rooms were not locked during the game. Robert Cornwell #105 | 5th July 2026 vs Bristol Apache |
Hertfordshire Cheetahs (U19) | There was a short break of a few minutes as someone attempted to take photos. This situation was resolved by game management without intervention by the officials. The incident was reported to the referee by the line judge. Stephen Egan #466 | 21st June 2026 vs London Blitz |
Kent Exiles (NWFL) | Well-run women's tournament despite the constant rain. The changing rooms weren’t locked and were situated a fair walk from the field. Daniel Clarke #311 | Unknown |
Leicester Panthers | 90-yard field marked in yellow, with other sports markings in white. Team areas were marked with cones, which constantly blew off in the wind. Officials’ assistants were provided only 15 minutes prior to kick-off. The officials' changing room was big enough for a maximum of a crew of four. It was provided with a shower but no toilet. Food and drink were provided for officials after the game. Dave Black #574 | 14th June 2026 vs Northants Knights |
London Olympians | Well-marked 100-yard field in blue, with five-yard end zones. The goal lines were moved out to what was marked as the five-yard lines to create a 90-yard field. The home team coaching box and team area were marked with cones, but there was no equivalent on the away team side. No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. The lockable changing room was sufficient for a crew of five and had a toilet and shower in an adjacent room. Peter Parsons #321 | 21st June 2026 vs Colchester Gladiators |
Merseyside Nighthawks | Field markings were below full standards. No limit lines, no numbers, and no team or coaching areas marked. 100-yard field marked in dark blue. Chains were only made available ten minutes before KO, along with the yard markers, as the home team did not have the code for the storage container in which they were kept. The home team supplied three game balls. However, one of the game balls deflated to below legal pressure during the game and had to be replaced with a ball supplied by the visiting team mid-game. The gameday medic booked by the home team, whilst adequately qualified, had no equipment at all. The game went ahead as the visiting team medic (who was also suitably qualified) had the appropriate equipment and was happy for it to be used for both teams. Steve Hall #512 | 21st June 2026 vs Coventry Phoenix |
Newcastle Vikings | 90-yard field with no limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 28th June 2026 vs Chester Romans |
Nottingham Caesars | Inbounds markings were faded in some places, but still just about visible. No team areas marked. There was some practice equipment very close to one end zone, which had to be padded before kick off. Changing rooms were about a five-minute walk from the field. There was a brief stoppage during the second quarter to allow an injured sideline player to be stretchered off the field. On more than one occasion, the game had to be held to remove spectators from the safety zone. Emma Harris #236 | 14th June 2026 vs Merseyside Nighthawks |
Ouse Valley Eagles | Well-marked 100-yard grass field with no limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. Changing rooms were not lockable but otherwise well-appointed. Phil Clarke #262 | 19th July 2026 vs Norwich Devils |
Portsmouth Dreadnoughts | 90-yard field with other sports markings present. Lines were fading, and the inbounds markings were becoming difficult to see. Jon Ireland #508 | 14th June 2026 vs Sussex Thunder |
Rossendale Bucks | 90-yard field marked in white. No numbers or nine-yard marks present. Andrew Swift #403 | 14th June 2026 vs Birmingham Bulls |
Solent Thrashers (NWFL) | The venue was changed midweek due to unexpected tenants. 90-yard field with clear markings and some other sports lines used. The game was suspended in the second quarter following three serious injuries in three separate incidents. One of which led to a lengthy 55-minute pause to allow for ambulances to arrive and collect players. Once players were escorted and medical provisions were available, the game was able to continue. Scott Castle #626 | 18th July 2026 vs Teeside Steelers |
Somerset Wyverns | A well-marked 100-yard field with two well-marked team areas and two cordoned off areas for spectators on one side of the field. The changing rooms were a communal area in the building, which had access through the building for people (who walked through throughout). Scott Castle #626 | 5th July 2026 vs Swindon Storms |
South London Renegades (U19) | Well-marked 100-yard field in blue, with five-yard end zones. The goal lines were moved out to what was marked as the five-yard lines to create a 90-yard field. The home team coaching box and team area were marked with cones, but there was no equivalent on the away team side. No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. The lockable changing room was sufficient for a crew of five and had a toilet and shower in an adjacent room. Peter Parsons #321 | 21st June 2026 vs Kent Exiles |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Aberdeen Roughnecks | No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Coaches box marked between the 25-yards lines. Henry Richardson #25 | 28th June 2026 v Clyde Valley Blackhawks |
Berkshire Renegades | The changing rooms had no coat hook and the toilet/wash basin facilities were in separate rooms. They were not locked during the game. Julian Mallia #336 | 28th June 2026 v Norwich Devils |
Birmingham Bulls | A well-marked field. The locker room was a converted shipping container but is lockable. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 21st June 2026 v Leigh Miners |
Black Country Steelers | Lengthy delay due to an injury that required prolonged treatment, with just over one minute remaining in the second quarter. On agreement with both coaches, halftime was taken at this point - with the scheduled halftime break shortened to a 1 minute between quarter break. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 19th July 2026 v Leicester Panthers |
Bournemouth Bobcats | It is a well-known issue that this field does not have team areas marked, but it did not cause any problems. Simon Ryan #408 | 20th June 2026 v Hereford Stampede |
Bristol Aztecs | 100-yard field marked in blue with other markings in white. Two sets of hash marks. Team areas marked between the 25-yard lines. Euan Paterson #165 | 13th June 2026 v Rushmoor Knights |
Cambridge Pythons | Well-marked 100-yard field. The changing facilities for the officials were adequate. Dave Black #574 | 14th June 2026 v Wembley Stallions |
Chester Romans | Field markings below full standards. The field was marked in a combination of four different colours. Blue and Black markings were only used for football, yellow and white markings were used for both football and other sports. The football-specific markings were faint and will need remarking before the next game at this venue. Non-Football, white field markings were closer than four feet to an end zone line. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No limit lines marked. No team area markings of any sort. One football lost pressure during the game and had to be replaced. Prior to the game, the crew had been informed that there would be two one-person changing rooms available for the officials and that a larger room would be available if required. The crew requested the larger room. Upon arrival at the venue, the larger changing room and one of the one-person changing rooms were unavailable. The changing rooms were not lockable, and the sink in the changing room leaked, which meant the floor got wetter and wetter during the course of the double header. Ben Griffiths #228 | 21st June 2026 v Inverclyde Goliaths |
Chester Romans (U19) | Field markings below full standards. The field was marked in a combination of four different colours. Blue and Black markings were only used for football, yellow and white markings were used for both football and other sports. The football-specific markings were faint and will need remarking before the next game at this venue. Non-Football, white field markings were closer than four feet to an end zone line. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No limit lines marked. No team area markings of any sort. One football lost pressure during the game and had to be replaced. Prior to the game, the crew had been informed that there would be two one-person changing rooms available for the officials and that a larger room would be available if required. The crew requested the larger room. Upon arrival at the venue, the larger changing room and one of the one-person changing rooms were unavailable. The changing rooms were not lockable, and the sink in the changing room leaked, which meant the floor got wetter and wetter during the course of the double header. Both teams played in coloured jerseys, the home team in Red and the Visiting Team in Black. Ben Griffiths #228 | 21st June 2026 v Birmingham Lions |
Clyde Valley Blackhawks | No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. A funfair had set up next to the field and had opened for business midway through the second quarter. The Sheffield HC complained about the noise this created and indicated they would play the second half under protest. Henry Richardson #25 | 21st June 2026 v Aberdeen Roughnecks |
Colchester Gladiators | An extremely well-marked 100-yard grass field. The changing room was not lockable, but well-appointed in terms of facilities. Colchester had provided a referee microphone, but it did not have a transmit button, so the power switch was used to ensure broadcasting remained within the Referee’s control. The radio was intermittent throughout the first half and completely failed at halftime despite changing the battery. Phil Clarke #262 | 28th June 2026 v London Olympians |
Darlington Steam | 100-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. No limit lines. Team areas were missing. The lines were marked in white and were very faint; they will need re-marking before the next game. There were other sports markings on the field in close proximity to the endzones. David Hewitt #607 | 21st June 2026 v Lincolnshire Bombers |
Doncaster Mustangs | Very well-marked 90-yard field. The three-yard marks were at the two-yard line. David Hewitt #607 | 14th June 2026 v Leigh Miners |
East Kilbride Pirates | Lines marked in blue. 90-yard field. The coaches’ boxes were not marked properly. Shawn Sombati #15 | 19th July 2026 v Manchester Titans |
East Kilbride Pirates (U19) | No limit lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. Henry Richardson #25 | 19th July 2026 v Manchester Titans |
Essex Tridents | Extremely well-marked 100-yard field that was only missing chain clip reference points and limit lines. There was a boundary fence that all spectators remained outside of, which is well back from the field and team areas. Phil Clarke #262 | 14th June 2026 v Kent Exiles |
Gateshead Senators | No numbers or nine-yard marks. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard grass field. Dave Black #574 | 14th June 2026 v Humber Warhawks |
Kent Exiles | 90-yard field, which is a considerable walk from the changing room making it impractical to go back at half-time. Generally well marked but some short yard line extensions were present in the end zone. The field surface was incredibly uneven in places and footing was often uncertain. The crew was temporarily reduced to a crew of four due to an injury to the Umpire in the third quarter, who required patching up to stop a bleed. Oliver Maskell #221 | 28th June 2026 v Essex Tridents |
Kent Exiles (U19) | 90-yard field, which is a considerable walk from the changing room making it impractical to go back at half-time. Generally well marked but some short yard line extensions were present in the end zone. The field surface was incredibly uneven in places and footing was often uncertain. With 0:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, a South London Renegade suffered a serious back injury which required ambulance attendance. So the remaining game clock was reduced to 0:00 with agreement of both HCs. Oliver Maskell #221 | 5th July 2026 v Rushmoor Knights |
Lancashire Buccaneers (U19) | This was the first game at a new venue for Lancashire and was not the one noted on Assignr, future crews be advised. The officials changing room was too small for an American Football officiating crew, but the crew were given one of the team changing rooms after the team had vacated it. The field is a short walk from the changing room, about 200 yards. Well-marked 90-yard field in blue. It sloped down and towards one corner, which from the top did not look too bad, but after a couple of scores it felt like running up the younger brother of Mount Everest. No coaches or players boxes were marked, which the visiting team did note to the home team. The HC of the home team acquired a can of spray paint and added them before kickoff to the visiting sideline. Lee Taylor #183 | 21st June 2026 v Manchester Titans |
Lincolnshire Bombers | The officials’ changing room seated two, however a larger room was given up for the officials. The field surface was not ideal with the remnants of numerous mole hills - including uneven patches and rocks. Dave Black #574 | 28th June 2026 v Darlington Steam |
London Blitz | Some areas of the field are sand rather than grass, so they were a little soft underfoot. The officials' assistants were provided very late, so the game kicked off five minutes late due to the time needed to complete the necessary briefings. There were multiple stoppages of more than five minutes during the game for player injuries. The crew initially utilised a large changing room before the game, and then moved to the smaller, new changing room, which was available to store kit at half time, and the end of the game. While the new space is both lockable and perfectly spacious for a crew of five, neither changing room had a private toilet or shower. Peter Parsons #321 | 9th August 2026 v Wembley Stallions |
London Blitz B | 100-yard field. Mostly grass with some areas of sand. The officials' changing room was not available on arrival, so the crew changed elsewhere in the facility and moved their kit to the changing room once available. The changing room was sufficient for a crew of five and was lockable, but had no private toilet or shower. There were two changes of chain crew personnel at halftime and a third change between the third and fourth quarters. Peter Parsons #321 | 19th July 2026 v Oxford Saints |
London Warriors (NWFL) | Late change of venue due to double booking at the team's normal venue. Every effort had been made to ensure the game went ahead, but the 90-yard field was incorrectly marked with five-yard lines and short yard line extensions unevenly spaced (and occasionally double marked). With consultation with BAFA and both teams, it was agreed that it was suitable for play and the crew would be more reliant on the (correct length) chain than would ordinarily be the case. The field was marked in white, with rugby markings in white as well. Team areas marked with cones and no limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. Sideline number markers were also missing. The facility is nice, but the changing room was suitable for only three officials and was not locked during the game. However, water was provided in the locker room. There was one temporary change of ball person in the second half due to their dog requiring a walk, and also one change to the chain crew. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 18th July 2026 v Manchester Titans |
Manchester Titans | The game kicked off 10 minutes late to allow sufficient time between the end of the previous game. Field markings below full standards. The field was marked in black, as this was the second game on this field on the same day, the field markings were starting to fade and will need fully remarking before the next game at this venue. There were a number of issues with the field markings. The Football markings were in black, and there were markings for other sports in Dark Blue and White, these were close to the markings for Football and sometimes caused confusion. The small sided soccer markings were sown in the field, and one of these markings came away during warm-ups which created a trip-hazard. This was identified and fixed before the scheduled kick-off time. There were no limit lines. There were no shower or washing facilities available for the officials. There was one disabled toilets to which the officials had access. Ben Griffiths #228 | 20th June 2026 v East Kilbride Pirates |
Manchester Titans (NWFL) | The crew used the media room as changing facilities. The crew were given a key to lock the room prior to kickoff. No private toilets or showers. Lee Taylor #183 | 20th June 2026 v Teesside Steelers |
Norwich Devils | No numbers or nine-yard marks. Brian Yates #29 | 14th June 2026 v Berkshire Renegades |
Nottingham Caesars | Field markings in blue and faint. Other sports markings in blue, white, and yellow made spotting the ball difficult at times. No team areas marked. No numbers or nine-yard marks. The changing rooms were three small rooms with no private toilet facilities. The game was suspended for 15 minutes with 1:52 remaining in the game due to an injury to a Nottingham player. Brian Yates #29 | 30th May 2026 v Manchester Titans |
Nottingham Caesars (U19) | 90-yard field. Changing rooms were lockable Krister Halvorsen #77 | 14th June 2026 v Sheffield Giants |
Oxford Saints | Prior to Kick Off, the Down Box needed to be replaced. There was a short delay to the Second Half Kick off due to the late arrival of the Chain Crew. Mark Schofield #557 | 21st June 2026 v London Blitz B |
Rushmoor Knights | The goal posts were strapped to the outside of soccer posts. Keith Wickham #423 | 9th August 2026 v Cambridgeshire Cats |
Sheffield Giants | Multiple issues. Changing rooms were small with no private area for a pregame conference. Home team area marked in cones, away team area not marked. Multiple lines on the field. American football markings were in very faint black, which couldn't be seen in the middle of the field, and markings for other sports were in very similar colours. Andrew Lovell #559 | 21st June 2026 v Yorkshire Rams |
Shropshire Revolution | Multiple issues. Field still has many divets; down box operator changed 3 times in game; field is marked for multiple sports all marked in white; no team / coaches box for visiting team Andrew Lovell #559 | 28th June 2026 v Staffordshire Surge |
Solent Seahawks (U19) | The changing rooms given to the officials were too small to fit six officials, as other changing rooms were not available on the day. Field markings shared with other sports markings. The team areas were only marked to the 25-yard lines. All game balls were below legal pressure and required inflation. The game had to be paused to find the medic who had wandered off the field to sit in their car. Crew informed at half time that the venue would be closing in 30 minutes. It was agreed with both head coaches and the venue staff that the third quarter would be shortened to eight minutes and the fourth quarter would be a running clock to get the game completed. Venue staff kindly agreed to stay later to facilitate the changes. Jon Ireland #508 | 21st June 2026 v Rushmoor Knights |
Solent Thrashers | A few minor stoppages for injuries. The regular chain crew at Southampton are the best in Britain. Dean Wright #553 | 28th June 2026 v Hereford Stampede |
South Wales Warriors | 90-yard field marked in very faint yellow markings. Several wavy lines. Short yard-line extensions were inconsistently spaced at the sidelines and the inbounds lines. The officials' changing room was not lockable and offered limited privacy because of French doors facing the field. No separate wash facilities for officials. A stadium microphone was provided, but the reception was very poor. Euan Paterson #165 | 14th June 2026 v Bristol Apache |
Sussex Thunder | The ground was a little uneven. A few short stoppages for injuries. Dean Wright #553 | 28th June 2026 v Oxford Saints |
Swindon Storm | Team areas marked to the 25-yard lines. Changing rooms were not lockable. Euan Paterson #165 | 14th June 2026 v Somerset Wyverns |
Wakefield District Raiders | Well-marked grass field, but the markings were faint, and the grass was a bit too long in places. Could do with mowing and remarking before the next fixture. Stuart Young #33 | 28th June 2026 v Rossendale Bucks |
| |||||||||||||
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Mark Schofield | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
Recruitment | Emma Harris | Training | James Ford-Bannister | ||
Director without Portfolio #1 | Peter Parsons | Director without Portfolio #2 | Steve Tonkinson | ||
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.info. Deadline for articles submitted by email ([email protected]) is midnight Tuesday. |
