The BAFA have severed ties with the BSAFA and in another move, established their own governing body for the student leagues known as British Universities American Football League. BUAFL for short. (see logo on right). a statement posted by BAFA Chairman Gary Marshall placed on the BSAFA forum says:
“ From: BAFA[mailto:chairman@bafa.org.uk] Sent: 25 July 2007 09:21To:
hannah@su.rhul.ac.ukSubject: BAFA Application for BUSA MembershipDear Athletic Union/Sports Administrator, further to my letter a few weeks ago regarding our application to become BUSA members, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of you that provided letters of support.In addition, I would like to inform you of a few recent developments. Firstly, on the 4th July the British American Football Association (BAFA) issued a press release providing an update on the current situation regarding the moneys owed by the British Students American Football Association (BSAFA). A copy is attached for your information and further factual information can be obtained at
www.bafa.org.ukOn Thursday 12th July a delegation on behalf of BAFA Board of Directors met with legal counsel.
Following on from that meeting BAFA can now confirm that appropriate papers have been submitted to the courts to commence the serving of writs against past and present individual members of BSAFA National Management Council. Action for recovery of the outstanding debts will now continue via this legal process.
Subsequent to the commencement of this next stage of the legal action, BAFA has now been contacted by external organisations notifying us of further unpaid debts owed by BSAFA and we are advised that it is likely that further legal action will be commenced by other parties against BSAFA.
So, as the National Governing Body for the Sport of American Football in the United Kingdom, we now find ourselves in a situation where approximately 2,100 of our members are facing a bleak future due to the apparent failure of the organisation to correctly manage its affairs. Consequently it is the unanimous decision of the Board of Directors to take strong action to protect all of our members and the reputation of the sport as a whole.
Therefore, with immediate effect the British Student American Football Association has been suspended by the British American Football Association and therefore has no authority to operate in any capacity on behalf of student football.To ensure that student football can continue unabated through the forthcoming season a new structure to manage student football will be put in place, also with immediate effect. The new organisation will be known as the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL). An interim Chairman, Andy Fuller (former NFL National Sports Policy Advisor), has been appointed.
Andy has accepted the task of engaging with the student membership and forming a new management structure for the organisation. BAFA will ensure that this new body has in place all the necessary checks and balances to ensure full accountability to all stakeholders. Further information can be found in the attached press release.It is the desire of BAFA to see student football run in a competent and efficient manner.
This decision has not been taken lightly, and I am sure it raises many questions. We have also therefore included a further information document which hopefully will answer these questions for you.BAFA is fully committed to ensuring that all existing university teams are able to compete in the coming season with as little disruption as possible.
The 2007-2008 season will go ahead as planned. To most players, coaches and team administrators things will operate as they have done in the past. We appreciate you may have received contradictory information and we again direct your attention to the evidence that BAFA has placed in the public domain.Finally, BAFA would like to inform you that we are still exploring the future inclusion of American Football as a BUSA championship. We firmly believe that American football should receive the recognition it deserves as a significant activity in university sport. We are completely aware of issues regarding the structure of existing teams spanning more than one institution, and have not committed to any course of action that would force these teams to be excluded from competition. We shall be carrying out consultation with existing teams in this regard.Should you have any questions about these or other matters regarding student American football please do not hesitate to get in touch.Kind regardsGary Marshall, Chairman British American Football Association.”
The BSAFA have made the following statement to its members as follows:
“Dateline: 25th July 2007
We are deeply saddened by today's press releases from BAFA regarding their inaccurate and dis-ingenious remarks about BSAFA.
It is unfortunate that their approach of non-communication with BSAFA and their public statements are bringing the sport of American Football in the UK into disrepute. BSAFA have made all attempts to resolve any differences of opinion and settle an issue of debt for affiliation fees via the appropriate channels, but these have been ignored by BAFA.
In contrast to BAFA's misguided views, we wish to state the following realities for the benefit of our members:
· BSAFA is still the only student led, democratic organisation for American Football in the UK, and has been for the last 23 years.
· BSAFA are in a position to pay the outstanding affiliation fee debts to BAFA, but attempts to do so have been ignored.
· BSAFA have received no communications from BAFA related to their payment plans, queries over BAFA's actions, or any other matter (such as alleged, unspecific, other debts).
· BSAFA is deemed financially solvent, and its actions are considered to be above reasonable, as adjudged by legal experts in debt recovery. BAFA's actions have been deemed unreasonable.
· A letter is being circulated to all SU/AU's via the National Union of Students to counter the false claims sent unsolicited by BAFA.
The NUS would like to remind all parties that it supports student led, democratic organisations, like BSAFA.
· BAFA have taken little interest in Student Football for many years and have refused to address BSAFA's reasonable concerns over BAFA's administration, finances, aims and management that have been repeatedly expressed over the last 5 years.
· BAFA have neither the right, nor the authority to interfere in the operations or running of BSAFA, though they have attempted to do so repeatedly over the last few months and are continuing to do so to the detriment of all.
Because of the non communication and the publication of several erroneous and disingenuous comments about BSAFA and its members, we are having to take further action to try and resolve this matter for the benefit and protection of our members.
This has recently meant the retention of legal aide and we are currently seeking further help and assistance in this matter from affected associations.BSAFA remain committed to its membership and the NMC will uphold their duties to the membership as they were duly elected to do so.
We would hope that Mr Fuller would consider using his time and expertise within BSAFA and would stand for election to the vacant Development Director's role within the NMC in time for the PSM, and work with us to heal the rifts that are developing within our sport.If you have any questions or queries over the situation, please contact us directly, we are more than happy to answer your concerns and provide a more honest and complete picture of the situation than you may otherwise have heard. We shall continue to update our members of our ongoing plans, as previously stated, throughout the coming days.Thank you for your continued support.
BGN Says:
The sport of Gridiron in the United Kingdom has had its ups and downs, from its highs in the 1980’s to its lows in the mid 1990’s, now with the sport seemingly growing once again in popularity we see the sports governing body BAFA (British American Football Association), dismissing the Students Association (BSAFA) from its set up.
BAFA Claims the BSAFA is incapable of trading out of the situation they are now in, while BSAFA claim BAFA are not willing to talk to them or discuss any proposal they have put forward, and have quite simply closed the door to their NMC (National Management Committee).
The BSAFA still claim to be the democratic voice of the Students while BAFA have established BUAFL (British Universities American Football League). This in our opinion is going to cause major divisions within the student associations. Who are the University teams going to sign up with? Can these teams play against each other? Will the BSAFA League teams actually be scheduled Referees? Will the Students set up their own referees association?
Undoubtedly many students go on to join the adult league (BAFL) who are also a part of BAFA, will this now be affected by BAFA’s move?
Just who are BAFA? Who elects them? What do you get for the money? Is BAFA’s move designed to split the Students?
Our opinion is that this move will seriously hinder the sports development in this country, its time people talked. Its time that BAFA gave the new student leaders of BSAFA a chance to correct what ever as gone wrong.
BGN
