AFL Playoff Costs
May 7, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Reasoning: This approach gives teams incentive to efficiently promote and run their playoff games, and will avoid debates over excessive security costs. For example teams can profit from operation of “beer tents”, but will also be required to cover the extra security costs such a venture requires. This will also allow teams to set their own gate prices.
The league should still cover the cost of transportation of the visiting team and directly pay officials to ensure that no undue hardship is imposed on teams.
AFL Running Dates
May 7, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Passed Unanimously
- 3.15 – Teams cannot commence practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) until 21 days prior to the first scheduled AFL regular season game. [For 2011 that would be 21 days prior to Sept. 17, ie August 27.]
- 3.16 – All spring practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) AND all spring games or scrimmages must be completed by May 31.
These By-Laws would be effective June 1, 2011.
Reasoning : A number of teams in the AFL are affiliated with “destination” institutions of high learning. A significant proportion of their teams are composed of students from cities other than those where the schools are located. These students depart for home once their exams are done (mid April) and do not return until early September. This limits when these teams can practice or play games. All teams in the league should be provided with an “equal” opportunity to practice and play games. The AUS has rules and regulations to deal with this. The AFL also needs something in place.
From the AUS regulations:
“c. Playing Rules & Regulations
The following rules are applicable to all exhibition, league or playoff competition unless otherwise indicated.
The playing rules and regulations for Atlantic University Sport football competition shall be identical to those contained in the CIS Operations Manual, unless specified in the following rules:
1.START DATE:
-
- Fourteen (14) days prior to a team’s first scheduled league game. (Note: rule is specific to a team’s first game).
- If athletes are on campus before the start date, coaches may not be on the field with the athletes in that voluntary time. Institutions may not pay for room and/or board before the start date. Prior to that date, all costs must be the responsibility of the athlete.
- Definition of a practice:
- A practice is defined as a sport session organized by a members’ head coach, one of his/her assistants, or a designate(s) of the head or assistant coach.
- Note: The traditional preseason dry land training sessions for winter sports would not be in violation.
- If a member university violates the start date, that university shall forfeit the right to participate in the Atlantic University Sport playoffs in that sport. (May 1999)
- Football schools are allowed five (5) days immediately following the last day of exams on each respective campus for organized spring football practices.”
Gear Manager
May 7, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Passed Unanimously
Motion 1: I, Justin DeMerchant, motion that we create a position of “Equipment Manger” to serve at the pleasure of the Red Bombers executive. Duties to include:
Maintaining records of gear released
Working with the treasurer to ensure gear is dispersed according to policies of the Executive
Keeping the gear shed in good order
Recommending gear purchase quantities to the Executive
Ordering gear as approved by the Executive
Reasoning: Proper gear maintenance is vital to the viability of the Red Bombers going forward and we need someone to be the primary person responsible for keeping track of it. Having one person in charge will add accountability for the gear to our organization.
Motion 2: I, _____________, motion that _____________ be appointed to the position of Equipment Manager to serve at the pleasure of the executive.
Motion 3: I, _____________, in my capacity as Equipment Manager recommend that the Executive authorize me to purchase the following to supplement our existing gear:
Pants: 10 pairs (5xM – 5xL) $300
Practice Jerseys: 40 (20xRed – 20xBlack) $600
Helmets: 6 (1xM – 5xL) $1200
Reason: Current gear levels can be viewed here: http://redbombersexecutive.pbworks.com/w/page/33980974/Gear-Count
Gladiators Gear Loan 2011
May 7, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Passed Unanimously
Motion: I, Justin DeMerchant, motion that we allow the Fredericton Gladiators Football Team to use our shoulder pads between April 3, 2011 and August 20, 2001 subject to the following restrictions:
– A full list of names and shoulder pad sizes will be kept of individuals who are issued shoulder pads. Terry McIntyre (Head coach of the Gladiators, Defensive Backs coach of the Bombers) is to ensure good records are kept.
– CAMFA agrees to guarantee the return of all shoulder pads in good working condition
– Any shoulder pads not returned by August 20, 2011 will be replaced by the Red Bombers and invoiced to CAMFA
– The CAMFA executive shall make an official motion accepting this proposal before it shall become effective
Reasoning: The Red Bombers have a strong and positive relationship with CAMFA (they donated 20+ used helmets this past year; when we have gear shortfalls they have lent us gear that they have, as examples). Since they serve primarily children their shoulder pads are not appropriate for the use of their adult mens team. Since their season does not conflict with ours we can provide them with shoulder pads at no cost to us.
That being said gear management needs to become a priority in 2011 to ensure the ongoing viability of the organization. We need to carefully track gear lent not just to outside organizations, but within our own as well.
It should also be clear that this arrangement is not to continue indefinitely into the future, although the Red Bombers should remain open to mutually beneficial arrangements.
Fee Structure
May 7, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Passed Unamiously
Motion: I, Justin DeMerchant, motion that in 2011 season we structure the player fee as follows:
- $100 at time of gear fitting (with a $50 refund if you quit or are cut AND return your gear before the first game)
- $150 before the second game (extensions granted by written request to executive only)
Reasoning: An initial fee to players who wish to try out will benefit the team for several reasons. It will dissuade people who aren’t really interested in playing for the team in just coming and picking up gear for the heck of it, while not acting as a significant barrier to trying out for the team for those who are serious. It will incentivize a quick return of gear from players who quit soon on and are the biggest offenders of tardy gear returns. Finally it will act as another source of revenue for the team.
Setting a hard deadline with the possibility of written extension gives the treasurer a deadline to point to with the flexibility so as not to exclude players with financial concerns. Getting a written request for an extension will force players to commit to a timeline of payment with a record to point to if they fail to meet a self imposed timeline.
Special General Meeting Minutes May 1, 2011
May 3, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Moncton Football Association Building, Centennial Park
Participants:
Executive: Terry Allen, Commissioner, Larry Timms – Secretary/Treasurer
Board Members: Fredericton Red Bombers – Larry Wisniewski, Justin DeMerchant (alternate)
Moncton Raiders – Dan Fougere, Roger Collette (alternate)
Saint John Seawolves – Barry Ogden, Bill Todd (alternate)
Holland College Hurricanes – Mike O’Grady, Vernon Doyle (alternate)
Dalhousie Tigers – Bryce Wade, Rick Rivers (alternate)
Guests: Dalhousie University – Mike Tanner
NBFOA – Al Gates
1) The meeting was called order at 10:10 AM
2) Terry Allen, the new commissioner of the AFL, introduced himself and then asked the voting members of the Board to agree that the meeting would be a Special General Meeting, so the proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws could be addressed. It was so agreed, unanimously.
3) Those present, then introduced themselves and their affiliation.
4) Agenda – Prior to adopting the agenda, 2 items were added under new business a) insurance and b) expansion
5) Website – Further to previous correspondence, Terry noted that the AFL has an agreement with Pointstreak to develop a Website for the AFL and teams were reminded, if they had not already done so, to forward pictures and their team logo to Terry. . Terry suggested expanding our visibility through Facebook and Twitter and indicated that with Pointstreak could potentially provide sponsorship opportunities. The domain name atlanticfootballleague.ca was registered by Bill Todd back in 2009 and can be transferred when appropriate.
6) 2011 League Schedule – A schedule developed by Vernon Doyle was distributed and each team made any concerns known. Al Gates from the NBFOA also expressed his concerns about 2 home games on the same weekend and via a previously distributed letter concerns about any playoff games scheduled on Saturday, Nov 12 and/or Saturday Nov 19. Dal. expressed concern that they had bye’s on both the opening and closing weekends. Vernon indicated he will make another version ASAP and one the weekends and agreed, each home team will have to decide whether they want to play on the Saturday or Sunday of those weekend, settle on a start time and ensure field availability. It is key that we resolve all these issues soon so the schedule can be posted and made public ASAP. .
7) Motions – there we 4 proposed motions to amend the AFL Constitution and Bylaws.
Motion 1 was to amend Article VII – Administrative Procedures: – Section 2 to the following amend version of the tabled motion was unanimously adopted:
The Annual General Meeting of the AFL Governing Board must be held by May 15th of each year. The AGM must he held in person and will be open to the public.
.Motion 2 was to expand the executive of the AFL to include a position of Assistant or Vice Commissioner.
This motion was unanimously adopted.
Motion 3 was to amend the bylaw 5. so that all playoff game revenues and expenses would be the host team’s responsibility, exception for the cost of bussing for the visiting team and the cost of officials for the playoff game. This motion was unanimously approved.
Motion 4 was to amend the bylaw to add articles 3.15 and 3.16:
3.15 – Teams cannot commence practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) until 21 days prior to the first scheduled AFL regular season game. (For 2011 that would be 21 days prior to Sept. 17, i.e. August 27)
3.16 – All spring practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) AND all spring games or scrimmages must be completed by May 31.
Both of these amendments were unanimously adopted.
8) 2011 AFL Budget – After reflecting the impact of motion 3 above, the revised budget (copy attached) was unanimously adopted. The 2011 League fee will be $1,500 for all 5 teams. The 3 NB teams will settle on their collective addition charge for their regular season bussing, regular season officiating and insurance, once the final schedule is determined.
9) League Sponsorship – It was noted that the AFL was involved in all 3 provinces so that was good for national or regional companies. General consensus was that we do not need to exclude beer sponsorship as long as the League protects it’s name. Subway was one suggestion as they currently are involved with the AUS and High Schools. It was left that we all test local markets and if a potential name comes forward pass it on to Terry.
10) Disciplinary Guidelines – Terry expressed concern that we did not have league guidelines to address issues when a player was ejected from a game by the officials. After some discussion, it was agreed that we would look into the CIS procedures in this area and then draft some guidelines for both disciplinary guidelines and appeals.
11) Other Business – Insurance – Dan Fougere raised a concern that with teams playing in different provinces there was restrictive remuneration for things like travel (ambulance cost) retuning from one province to another and as such there could be significant out of pocket cost not covered by our insurance policies. Larry indicated he would look I this al least from the NB insurance plan.
12) Other Business – Expansion – This item was tabled and will be addressed in the subsequent ‘planning and strategic” session.
12) Adjournment – Terry recommended that we adjourn the Special Annual General Meeting, seconded by
Larry Wisniewski and passed.
Strategy session
Expansion – where? – Truro, second team in Halifax (more community based), practice squads with CIS teams (Acadian, St. Mary’s, Mt A), UdeM
Media – League exposure – internet – live stream games. Terry would like to consolidate the lists of each team’s media contacts – radio, newsprint, cable
Promote AFL Identity – the AFL versus individual teams
Action Items Responsibility
Team Logos and Pictures to Terry Allen Each Team
Schedule Finalization Vernon Doyle – Each Team
Domain Name Transfer Bill Todd – Terry Allen
Proposed Candidate’s Names for Vice Commissioner All
Potential AFL Sponsors – names to Terry All
Disciplinary Guidelines and appeal procedure (CIS?) Terry Allen
Insurance Concerns Larry Timms
Media contact lists to Terry Allen ` Each Team
