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To
all BAFL Member clubs and stakeholders,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the many kind words of support for the
actions the BAFL Board has taken – and my appointment to lead Gridiron Football
League Limited (trading as the British American Football League) for the 2010
season.
Please understand that the decision to withdraw from the National Governing
Body (the British American Football Association (BAFA)) is not one the BAFL
Board has taken lightly.
A contingency plan entitled ‘taking care of business’ was scoped out in
November 2009 for the provision of services for the 2010 season.
The need for the contingency plan arose as an assessment of
risks to the business was highlighted.
The
contingency plan describes how BAFL will provide services to its member clubs
beyond that which it has normally provided – namely:
·
Registration
– inclusive of roster reports, transfers, debtors
·
CRB
processing
·
Coaching
development
·
Officiating
development
·
Volunteer
development
·
Welfare
·
Equity
and Diversity
·
Financial
administrative support
Work commenced to deliver the plan in early January. The BAFL Board decided to
action this plan to ensure that it was able to provide competitions for its
member clubs for the 2010 season – as is it's legal obligation to do so.
The key decision on whether to action the plan was taken after the
BAFA meeting on 6th February. Should all matters have been in order at or by that
time then the plan would have been terminated.
We maintain that we wish to have open dialogue with BAFA and its member
associations.
Looking to the future, Great Britain is now in a golden decade for sport. There
will be an Olympic games, Commonwealth games, Rugby World Cup for men, Rugby
World Cup for women, numerous World and European Championships and possibly a
Soccer World Cup on British soil before the end of the decade. We already have
the regular presence of the NFL on British soil that contributes to greatly to
increase in interest in the domestic game. Sports bodies are going to have
overwhelming interest for participation. American Football needs to be part of
the sporting family to benefit from the support that is available.
The BAFL Board feels that this will not be achieved with the current
administration of the NGB – particularly when one reflects that BAFL
competitions provides over 60% of the members, and revenue that this brings, to
BAFA and yet BAFL had less than 17% of the voting rights of how BAFA’s
operates. If one further considers that, by including University sport, over
95% of the membership is represented by less than 34% of the voting rights of
BAFA. This emphasises the challenges presented by the incumbent structure –
particularly when the
BAFA Board is structured as
representative body, not a strategic body with an operational capacity.
It
is important to note the key role that the BAFL ‘strategic team’ will play in
the future – with representatives for the following areas of the sport:
·
Adult
contact – Doug Adamson
·
Youth
contact – Brett Rosenbaum
·
Adult
flag – Neil Henderson & Mark Fletcher
·
Youth
flag – Lee Taylor
·
Student
football – vacant (one application received)
·
Player
– vacant
·
Coach
– vacant (one application received)
·
Official
– vacant
·
National
Programme – vacant
·
Volunteer
– vacant
It
is this team that will be responsible for working with the BAFL Board of
Directors to deliver services on behalf of the membership in the future. If you
wish to apply for a role, please send your CV to Mark Blyth at
‘operations@bafl.org.uk’.
Member clubs will have the opportunity to discuss the actions at the
forthcoming AGM at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster on March 6th, 2010.
This will be the opportunity for teams to ‘have their say’. If there are any
questions, please provide them in advance via the member club and they will be
addressed at that meeting. Replies to all questions will be circulated to all
clubs after the meeting. In advance, the BAFL Board and I have prepared a few ‘frequently
asked questions’. They are provided at the end of this statement.
To conclude, my goal has always been and continues to be to make it easier for
people to be able to participate in the wonderful sport of American Football –
whether it be contact or non-contact. I look forward with anticipation to
delivering a successful 2010 season with my colleagues at the BAFL.
Rest-assured, your investment of time, money and expertise in the company that
will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary next year is safe!
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is going to happen to the National Programme (GB Lions) teams?
A: The National Programme (GB Lions) is the responsibility of the BAFA. We
recommend you direct all enquiries on this matter to BAFA Chairman, Gary
Marshall. BAFL will continue recognise the National Programme and provide
support where possible. We look forward to dialogue with the BAFA on this
matter.
Q:
What about European competition for clubs?
A:
The responsibility for determining eligibility for European club competitions
belongs to BAFA. The BAFL confirms that it will support clubs in international
competition and we look forward to dialogue with the BAFA on this matter.
Q: Am I insured to play?
A: Your fees include the same level of insurance cover as previously provided –
it is the same policy as your 2009 policy with the same insurers.
Q: If I am a Coach, how much will it cost to join BAFL and am I insured?
A: The BAFL membership fees for Coaches for the 2010 season are £32 for an
unqualified Coach and £47 for a Coach with previous acquired learning and
knowledge. Evidence of a Coaching qualification (i.e. BAFCA level 1/2 etc.) is
required. These fees include relevant insurance cover.
Q: If I am Referee, how much will it cost to join the BAFL?
A: There are no charges for Referees to join the BAFL for the 2010 season. All Referees
will be required to provide evidence of previous acquired learning and
knowledge. Evidence of a Referee qualification is also required.
Q: Will I still be able to get grants and awards?
A: As a ‘bona-fide’ organisation, clubs will still be eligible for grants and
awards – subject to the eligibility criteria for that award.
Q: Will BAFL be able to get grants and awards?
A: As a ‘bona-fide’ organisation, BAFL will still be eligible for grants and
awards – subject to the eligibility criteria for that award.
Q: Why didn’t BAFL demand BAFA sort out CRS ?
A: BAFA’s CRS failed upon the resignation of Glen Schild on March 10, 2009.
BAFL called two emergency meetings within seven days, scoped out a solution for
CRS and presented it to BAFA on March 19th, 2009. This plan has not been
actioned by BAFA. An acceptable solution for BAFL has not existed since –
despite the efforts of the BAFL and Andy Fuller. The BAFL felt that no
effective progress had been made by BAFA in nearly twelve months. The BAFL would
like to compliment Andy Fuller for his endeavours with BAFA to provide a
suitable solution in an acceptable time-frame.
Q: Why do we need a single association.
A: A single association allows itself to make the changes that members want in
an effective and timely manner.
Q: Who are the BAFA Directors and how does the voting work?
A: At the time of writing, Gary Marshall (Chairman), Charles Fraser Macnamara
(Vice Chairman), Jim Briggs (BAFRA President), Davie Parsons (BAFRA ), Andy
Fuller (BUAFL), Jim Messenger (BAFCA President), Jon Wyse (BAFCA). Gary
Marshal has one vote and a second casting vote in the event of tied voting.
Charles Fraser Macnamara – one vote, BAFRA – one vote, BAFCA – one vote and
BUAFL – one vote. This was originally a temporary solution derived in
April 2009.
Q: Who were the BAFL representative to BAFA?
A: Jeremy Rogers from April 2009 to February 2010. Richard Norman from mid-2009
to December 2009
Q: Do I have to join BAFA to play in the BAFL?
A: Whilst the BAFL does not deter you to join BAFA, the BAFL does not require
you to join BAFA if you wish to play in the BAFL 2010 season.
Q: Do I have to join BAFA and BAFCA to Coach in the BAFL?
A: Whilst the BAFL does not deter you from joining BAFA or BAFCA, the BAFL does
not require you join BAFA or BAFCA if you wish to Coach in the BAFL for the
2010 season.
Q: Do I have to join BAFA and BAFRA to Referee in the BAFL?
A: Whilst the BAFL does not deter you from joining BAFA or BAFRA, the BAFL does
not require you join BAFA or BAFRA if you wish to officiate in the BAFL for the
2010 season.
Q: Is Ken Walters a Director of the BAFL?
A: No. Ken resigned his post on December 31st 2009.
Q: Is Ken Walters in a paid role?
A: Yes, Ken Walters is a contractor to the BAFL in the role of CEO. His
services are provided by the Company ‘Endzone Limited’ – as are other personnel
via this Company. As is Mark Blyth who has been under contract since March
2009.
Q:Will
there be any re-registration forms this year?
A:No – These are generated by the BAFA CRS system and BAFL have no way of
accessing these.
Q:
How much does it cost to be a member of the BAFL?
A: A tariff sheet is available as part of a Zip file of documents that is available as a download from the BAFL website. The fees
are the same or less than last year – or free of charge if you are a Referee.
Q: How do we get a CRB for BAFL and how much does it cost?
A: BAFL are using the services of its contractor, Endzone Ltd, to provide CRB
services. More details will be provided shortly. As part of the contract to
Endzone, these services will be free of charge to the BAFL members (players,
Coaches, Referees and club/team Officers) for the foreseeable future.
Q: Who is the BAFA Finance Director/Officer?
A: Pat Mapleston agreed to provide this service upon the resignation of Glen
Schild in March 2009. His tenure was temporary and until December 31st, 2009.
BAFA has not had a Finance Officer since that date.
Q:
Why
could this not wait until the AGM
or an
EGM?
A: The BAFL Board felt it
necessary to act as it did to ensure the provision of services for the 2010
season. According to its constitution, it is empowered to do so by the members.
Q:
Why
could the fees not be reduced
A: BAFL has budgeted
for the provision of services at fees no more than has been charged in recent
years – in some areas, fees are less and free of charge. This will be assessed
for the 2011 season.
Q:
Does
BAFL remain liable of any BAFA debt?
A: It remains
liable for a contribution of £1 for one year to BAFA liabilities.