New guidance on outdoor training
In our last update, on 28 May, we said that we would keep the situation with the season suspension and return to play under constant review in line with any new advice from the Government.
Many of you will have noted the Government issued further guidance regarding a phased return to sport and recreation on Sunday 31 May (click here to read more). This includes more detailed information regarding the use of equipment (including balls) and the training of multiple groups. We have reviewed this guidance and we can now share updates to our guidelines for BAFA members.
Season suspension
Given physical contact with anyone outside the same household is currently not permitted, British American football games, friendlies, practices and any contact activity must remain suspended until Friday 3 July 2020. Further guidance on this suspension will be shared ahead of that date.
Outdoor training
However from midnight Friday 5 June 2020, if facility owners allow and wish to open their facilities, BAFA members in England will be able to engage in outdoor field based individual training with members of their own household, or as part of a small group of up to six individuals from different households whilst staying two metres apart.
If the practice is coach-led, the coach must be considered part of the group of six.
This training allows for practicing of skills and fitness activities. The playing of any games, small sided or full, is not permitted. In line with government guidance equipment sharing, including balls, is permitted, although should be kept to a minimum and strong hand hygiene practice must be in place at all times.
Two or more groups of six may train at the same location provided they are kept wholly separate. And while multiple small groups can engage in training at the same site, clubs and coaches must risk assess this properly and ensure that safe and adequate distancing between groups is strictly observed. Facilities that are open and being utilised must follow relevant government guidance.
Parents/carers observing a training session at a distance from a safeguarding perspective is permitted, without them being part of the participating group.
Full guidance for American football based physical activity can be found here.
Infographic
We appreciate this is a complex situation and we are doing our very best with the guidance we have been given. We have produced this infographic which we hope is useful and summarises the new guidelines in as simple a way as possible.
It’s also important that we remember people should avoid mixing with too many others from outside their household in a short space of time, and care should be taken at all times as there is a continued risk of infection. And of course, if any individual is symptomatic, living in a household with possible COVID-19 infection or is vulnerable on health grounds the guidance is to stay at home.
Scotland and Wales
As you will know, current advice on outdoor activity differs if you are based in Scotland or Wales, and BAFA members should follow their relevant country guidelines. We understand the situation is complicated enough already and having different guidelines for different parts of Great Britain does not help. But we urge you to stick to the advice outlined in your location.
We will be liaising closely with Home Countries sports councils as we continue to update our guidelines.
Next steps
We are now working on a roadmap to show the steps we aim to take to guide British American football as lockdown measures ease further. We will share this with the Britball community in the near future.
In addition, we are looking at the impact of the above outdoor training guidelines on restarting any playing opportunities – we will continue to work closely with, and consult, all relevant stakeholders on this.
If helpful, the Government’s current guidance on staying safe outside your home can be found here. If you have any specific queries about your form of the game, then please do contact your relevant Commission Lead.
As ever, we hugely appreciate your understanding as we navigate through this complex period and above all else, we hope that everyone can continue to stay safe and healthy.
Pete Ackerley, BAFA Chief Executive & Wayne Hill, BAFCA President
BAFA and BAFCA have today (11 February 2020) issued a Disciplinary Statement regarding one of its members.
https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/downloads/2020_02_11%20-%20BAFA%20Statement%20(1).pdf
Continuing to make American football in Britain fair and safe for everyone is of utmost priority as our great game grows and develops. BAFA and BAFCA takes any issues related to safeguarding, discipline and fairness extremely seriously.
Anyone with concerns about this particular case, or any other issues related to disciplinary process, can contact BAFA’s Disciplinary Officer Ben Griffiths: discipline@britishamericanfootball.org
Notice to British American Football Coaches Association Members regarding Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Saturday 22nd February 2020 at 11am. (BAFCA EGM will follow BAFA EGM which commences at 10am)
Venue: St Michael’s C of E High School, Curral Road, Rowley Regis, West Midlands, B65 9AN
Please click Download Document below for details of EGM, Summary of changes and Registration and Proxy Voting.
It has been brought to our attention that coaches are actively recruiting players under the age of 18 for University, Adult and Academy Programmes. To safeguard both the young person and you as a coach, BAFCA would like to highlight the following appropriate methods of contact.
The 2020 Coaching Convention is coming. From the 3rd to the 5th of July, we’ll be at Loughborough University, and we hope you will be too.Check back for updates on guests and speakers (including NFL Coaches) as we announce.
Firstly, the BAFCA Board would like to Thank and Congratulate the 500 plus coaches that have already updated their BAFCA qualification by completing the USA Football Youth Tackle Certification. Five additional CPD points will be awarded to all of the coaches.
However, we are aware that a number of coaches who currently would be suspended have attempted to complete the online course but have been unable to do so due to ALL USA Football Certification courses have been taken down for content and video updates. This is something not shared with the BAFCA. We have been informed that the updated certifications will not be available until mid February 2020.
The BAFCA board has agreed that it’s not right to continue coach suspensions whilst the mechanism for certification isn’t available, so ALL Pre2016 BAFCA Qualification holders who have not updated their qualification by completing the USA Football Youth Tackle Certification will now have until Tuesday 31st March to complete, which gives both USA Football time to complete their updates and subsequently all BAFCA members the chance to complete the course.
Coaches who do not meet this deadline will be suspended from 1st April and will need to retake their FULL BAFCA Level 1 qualification.
BAFCA are excited to announce the launch of a new Coaching App at #BAFCAConvention19 in partnership with AQ Coach @athlete_era
An individual coach purchasing the app is around £70 but BAFCA are working with AQ and have bulked purchased to cut the cost by more than half.
Coaches will be able to purchase an access code at the convention or via our website shop.
BAFA and BAFCA are delighted to launch a new Flag Football Explanation Video. The video has been developed in partnership to promote the basic elements of Flag Football to our members, schools, prospective participants and partner organisations. The video will give provide a great resource in engaging and promoting the sport. Flag Football is the most accessible form of American Football and one which facilitates and develops key fundamentals such as, throwing, catching, elusive running and tracking.
With the development of this video, BAFCA’s AQ Coaching App and the work being undertaken in both the established Flag structure, BAFA Schools and other partners, BAFA and BAFCA will continue to grow and develop the sport in the UK.
A special Thanks has to go to BAFCA Flag Development Officer Kenny Bello for leading on this project and bring it to life.
In the pursuit to support our coaches BAFCA developed a Film Access & Exchange working party to look at the variety of options available after the Hudl price increase and storage decrease.
From the a variety of options were investigated. However, the one option that provided all of the functionality our coaches require and more, at a cost affective price with unlimited storage was WatchGameFilm.
As well as the products functionality and future developments of the 2XL package in March 2020, the shining light which has cemented BAFCA’s endorsement of the product to its coaches and programmes, is the communication and partnership relationship that WatchGameFilm wish to developed with our organisation, coaches and programmes in the UK.
Becky Sharpe from WatchGameFilm recently attended the BAFCA Convention and all feedback from our coaches on the product and partnership has been extremely positive.
BAFCA President Wayne Hill states, “In all of our dealings with WatchGameFilm the discussion has been what they can do for us and how the product fits our needs. Also, the fact that everyone we have spoken to and met at WatchGameFilm have been really great people and this goes along way to building a solid partnership.”
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