Q: What will happen to the existing teams?
A: All teams previously operating under BSAFA, including teams planning to play competitively for the first time in 2007-2008, will automatically be members of BUAFL.

Q: Will there be a 2007-08 season?
A: Absolutely Yes! The interim schedule that has already been released will form the backbone of the season structure. Q: When can we meet? A: A full league meeting will take place early in September. Full details will follow shortly.

Q: How do I get involved with running the league?
A: The BUAFL is seeking people with the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to take university football forward. If you are interested in helping to build the future then please make yourself known. It is the intention, with the full support of BAFA, to ensure that students and people with previous experience of university football are central to the governance of the League. Please submit your CV to andy.fuller@buafl.net for consideration.

Q: How will the finances be handled?
A: Finances will be handled via the BAFA Centralised Registration System. Each university Athletic Union / Sports Union will be initially invoiced for the team specific fee. Each member of each team will be registered via the central registration system. Invoices will be generated on a weekly basis to the relevant AU/SU. The invoices will detail those members registered that week for validation of eligibility.

Q: What will it cost?
A: It is vital that a fee structure is established to ensure the financial viability of the organisation. The team fee for the season will be £200. Each team member (player or coach) will pay a fee of £30 however there will be discounts available on this member fee. Included within this fee is the national governing body membership fee of £20 (the BAFA fee). The BAFA fee is paid by each member just once in a year no matter how many areas of the sport the individual is involved in.

The BAFA year runs from 1 April in each year through to 31 March in the following year. So any student member who has participated in the British Youth American Football Association (BYAFA) or the British American Football League (BAFL) this summer (or indeed BAFCA, BAFRA or SGA) will not have to pay the fee again. This will reduce the member fee down to £10 for that individual. A further discount may be available based on insurance cover (see below)

Q: What about insurance cover?
A: American Football is a contact sport and therefore as standard the league provides public liability insurance. Additional cover provides an element of protection in the event of serious injury. Full details will be provided shortly. However, it is recognised that such cover may already be available via the AU/SU and therefore we will be asking each AU/SU to provide details of such cover if appropriate.

Upon verification the individual member fee will be reduced further, possibly by as much as £5. It will therefore be possible that with appropriate insurance cover already in place with the AU/SU the member fee for an individual already BAFA registered may be as low as £5.

Q: Will the multi-institutional teams have to be disbanded?
A: The BAFA re-iterates it is committed to providing an equitable environment that maximises the opportunities for students in Great Britain to play football. At this time, American Football is not BUSA affiliated and therefore, we cannot comment on the outcomes BUSA membership will provide.

Many concepts for the future of the sport have been scoped out. These concepts involve multi-institutional teams – none have been discounted, equally, however, none can be confirmed until such time as American Football is affiliated to BUSA. BAFA confirms that the new structure will cater for all its members and teams and, at this time, it is not anticipated that multi-institutional teams will have to disband.

Q: What about the GB Bulldogs?
A: It is the intention of BUAFL to operate a representative team as part of the 2007-08 programme. Additionally it is fully intended to run a North v South All Star game at the conclusion of the season.

Q: What if I have any further questions?
A: Please check out the BUAFL web site in the first instance at www.buafl.net or email andy.fuller@buafl.net

ends