Meeting Location: Don Valley Stadium.

Date:   September 23rd 2007

Start Time: 13.00hrs.

Conclusion: 17.12hrs.

Attendance:

BUAFL: Dr. Elesa Argent, Martin Boffey, Tom Evans, Andy Fuller, Wayne Hill.

Others in Attendance: Gary Marshall (BAFA Chair), Jim Messenger (BAFCA President), Ken Walters (BAFA Whole Sport Plan Manager).

Apologies: None.

Agenda and highlights:

1. Welcome

Andy Fuller welcomed the attendees to the first BUAFL Board Meeting. He thanked them for their hard work thus far. The agenda was then set out for the meeting.

Gary Marshall then addressed the Board. He provided an insight into the work carried out in recent months to underpin the publishing of the BAFA Whole Sport Plan and spoke of potential for the sport's progression. He finished by wishing the BUAFL the best of luck for the forthcoming season and reiterated BAFA's full support for the sport's development in tertiary education. Mr Marshall then left the meeting.

Jim Messenger then addressed the Board. He provided an overview of the Level One coaching courses being offered by BAFCA and agreed to look jointly at how BAFCA and the BUAFL can effectively plan for future seasons. Mr Messenger then left the meeting.

2. The Whole Sport Plan

Andy Fuller outlined the rationale behind the development of the BAFA Whole Sport Plan and identified some of its key impacts upon the student game:

Ken Walters, BAFA Whole Sport Plan Manager then provided an overview of the Whole Sport Plan, in particular highlighting how integral the tertiary education sector is to the development of the sport. Ken Walters then left the meeting.

• In developing the Whole Sport Plan there had to be a clear appraisal of the current status of the sport and the quality of many of its systems, structures and programmes. What the Plan outlines is a commitment to ensuring that the foundations of our sport are suitable for the long term growth and development of the game. Where appropriate, it was pointed out, BAFA will align its infrastructure with that of the wider sporting community, whether it be in endorsing the UK Coaching Framework or in adopting the principles of Long Term Athlete Development. Furthermore, where resources have been absent in the past, there is a commitment to provision. Equally, the governance of the National Governing Body would be enhanced to ensure that it maximised the opportunities the sport has. Ultimately, whilst many in the university community might not see too many programmes which directly mention the BUAFL, getting the aforementioned foundations right would see the sport prosper in the future, including the university game.

However, where there was explicit mention of student football was with regard to the international representation programme:

• The student's international representation programme will now be managed by the National Programme and athlete identification, selection and development will be brought into line with the talent development frameworks to be deployed as part of the National Programme.
• The student's traditional 'North / South' event will evolve into a Home Nations competition, again run under the auspices of the National Programme.
• Andy Fuller stated that he and the appointed team of Jason Scott and Tony Athersmith would work to identify ways in which the new infrastructure could directly and indirectly impact positively upon the wider university football community. These would be reported back to the Board and posted on www.buafl.net

3. BUAFL National Championship Game

Andy Fuller gave an overview of the discussions currently taking place with BUSA regarding staging the event at their Festival of Sport in March. Andy Fuller said that no decision had been made as to whether the sport would be accepted and that he was working on contingency plans to be rolled out if necessary. Any decision would be immediately reported to the Board then published on www.buafl.net

Andy Fuller also highlighted that a new trophy has been commissioned. This trophy will bear the name of the BUAFL and will be known as The BUAFL Championship Trophy. Discussions are underway with regard to the public unveiling of the trophy. The trophy will be kept by the BUAFL Head of Finance prior to the Championship Game.

Wayne Hill, BUAFL Head of Operations requested that the BUAFL consider creating a series of smaller, replica trophies which the National Champions could keep once they had to hand back the main trophy prior to the next National Championship Game.  The Board agreed that this should be investigated. It was agreed that for insurance purposes, the National Championship Trophy must not be kept by individual team members following a team's victory but must reside with the sponsor university.

4. The Season Ahead - Opportunities and Risk Management

The 2007/08 BUAFL season presents a series of opportunities for the ongoing development of the sport. It was agreed that many of the opportunities which could underpin the development of the sport in tertiary education are ones which are not likely to be realised immediately but only through medium to long term planning by the BUAFL and BAFA.

The primary opportunities lie through the League being able to position itself more effectively to realise many of the benefits other sports have through effective engagement with the teritary education sector. The core programmes identified in the Whole Sport Plan will underpin this (the alignment with LTAD, UKCF etc) and the BUAFL can build on this foundation with its own strategic plan based upon Dr. Argent's research.

Equally, a robust evaluation and management of the League's commercial value will lead to greater revenue streams from the private sector.

There are however, a series of risks which must be properly managed.

• Risk: A number of universities are offered insurance policies through their student's union (ususally BUSA Gold or Platinum). We must make sure all teams have suitable insurance if they do not purchase through BAFA's agents.
• Action: The BUAFL Board will ask BAFA to provide details of suitable insurance policies which can be used by teams instead of BAFA's. Teams will then have to submit a written letter and a copy of their policy to the League so we can ensure they are covered. The BUAFL will make it clear that teams have to establish with their sponsor universities (in the case of athletes drawn from a number of universities) whether or not those players are eligible for cover under their sponsor university.
• Risk: Teams travel without a) medical information on athletes and b) leaving a list of traveller's names with a third party.
• Action: Teams will be asked to maintain effective records of athlete medical profile (i.e. if a player is diabetic) when travelling and to leave a travelling roster with approrpriate people within their university / non-travelling team members.
• Risk: There is the potential of clashes of kit during the forthcoming system.
• Action: The BUAFL will look at the purchase of a set of shirts held centrally and which can be loaned to teams.
• Risk: Non-payment of fines / fees could undermine the financial stability of the League.
• Action: Steps made to reduce financial burden on teams by having regionalised divisions so hopefully more monies available in teams. However, the BUAFL will take a tough stance on non-payment from the outset of the season to ensure compliance.
• Risk: UCH Sharks disproportionatly affected by the current schedule.
• Action: It is likely that a new team will emerge in the North East for the 2008/09 season and UCH Sharks will be re-aligned to the Roses division. However, the Head of Operations wil assess the impact on UCH Sharks for this season and make recommendations to the Board for support.
• Risk: The status of some teams gives rise to concern regarding liabilitiy status.
• Action: Investigation into liability status of teams to form part of research programme. Guidelines produced for 2008/09 season.
• Risk: Teams will find statistics difficult.
• Action: The statistics rule is important and will stay. It may be of value to phase in the requirements of statistics. Statistics required to be published at least a week prior to kick-off. League may consider appointing a statistician.
• Risk: The condensed season may leed to scheduling issues
• Action: Hopefully teams will understand why the schedule has been condensed. Teams will be encouraged to play on midweek days if appropriate.

5. The Season Ahead - Financial Planning

Tom Evans, BUAFL Head of Finance, presented to the Board a series of financial plans which anticipated BUAFL finances based upon a series of scenarios. These were reviewed, accepted and will be refered to by the Board when making financial decisions.

6. The Season Ahead - Eligibility

It was recognised that the BUAFL Board had received a number of eligibility enquiries. It was considered appropriate to continue to address these on a case by case basis with a view to providing comprehensive guidance for the 2008/09 season.

7. The Season Ahead - Associate Member Status

The BUAFL will look to create a tiered system of membership which offers more tailored support to start-up teams. There will be three categories of membership:

• Full Members
• Associate Members
• Foundation Members

Full details will be established during the season with a view to full launch for the 2008/09 season.

It was considered that the BUAFL provide centralised support to ensure fixtures to be fulfilled for Associate Members if they take place at the end of the season when budgets are running low. Case Studies to be considered.

8. BUAFL Communications

The BUAFL has set up emails set up for each team which is a positive. However, some of the contact details we are getting from teams are erroneous and this causes problems. Teams encouraged to use the RSS feed from www.buafl.net to get access to the latest news.

Ideally we want rich content on BUAFL website. Teams will be encouraged to send in own headlines for team pages. Must work to ensure that all teams do this otherwise we will look sub-standard.

One of the dangers with the roll out of the Whole Sport Plan and a BUAFL plan is that we don't communicate effectively the rationale for change and don't equip people to deal with it effectively. www.buafl.net should become a site not just dedicated to football stories but be used as an educational tool - i.e. signpost people to events / resources which may be of benefit.

Tom Evans agreed to review how the BUAFL can work to develop its web presence to both provide a better communication portal to users and to develop the brand.

9. BUAFL Commerical Opportunities

The BUAFL Board will work toward establishing a portfolio of sponsorship opportunities over the 2007/08 season which can be exploited for future seasons. At this point the brand is still being defined and therefore, any short term agreements may compromise long term opportunity. Any BUAFL commerical programme would integrate with a wider BAFA branding programme.

One area where the BUAFL could look to showcase one commercial partner is through the sponsorship of the National Championship Game Ball. This could then form part of an evidence base as to how the League work with sponsors.

Aside from commercial properties which the BUAFL owns, one way of supporting the teams to generate interest could be through the scheduling of a Rivals Weekend which would see big rivals go head-to-head and we could build coverage around this.

The BUAFL Board also wished to state on record its gratefulness to the NFL for potential exposure on NFLUKtv.

10. BUAFL Community Programmes

The BUAFL is keen to develop youth programmes around university teams and facilities in similar ways to the programmes for other sports at Bath and Loughborough. This could aid in not only growing the game but also in providing students with opportunities to gain coaching and refereeing awards, CV building etc.

Loughborough: http://sdc.lboro.ac.uk/community/kids_holiday.php?cat_id=229&subcat_id=234&level=2

Bath: http://www.teambath.com/?page_id=8 

Andy Fuller stated he is currently in the process of establishing a meeting with key national stakeholders to look at how we could do this

11. BUAFL Research and Development

Dr. Argent gave a talk on her plans for research and development work. Questionnaires have been completed to go out to the following groups:

• Team Committees
• Coaches
• Student Union staff

This would then form the basis for more strategic research going forward.

Dr. Argent confirmed that she had been in talks with organisations in the US about research into football programmes and that she would report back when appropriate.

It was also confirmed that Dr. Argent would lead on the establishment of a BUAFL Medical and Sports Science Commission.

12. BUAFL Election Process and Induction Programme

The election process was confirmed as being in place with candidates being asked to demonstrate a series of competencies in their application form submissions. A due process would be overseen by an external Student Union.

13. Continuing Professional Development

To ensure the effective running of the BUAFL each post should have a CPD programme developed. Current Board members were asked to review what CPD programmes might be suitable. This would also be crucial when students were involved in the administration in the future. The BUAFL should make sure that it works to enhance their career prospects as well as making sure they are equipped to deliver for the League.

14. Any Other Business

The BUAFL will publish on www.buafl.net a guide to the payment of fines in the week prior to the season start.

The BUAFL will publish a statistics guide by prior to the season kick-off.

The BUAFL will look to assess the potential of a University Flag Football Championships held in the summer over a weekend.

ends_______________