Terms of Reference

The following procedure will apply to determining the playing rules from 2023 onwards.

BAFA Rules Committee

The BAFA Rules Committee consists of members nominated by BAFRA, BAFCA and the contact and flag commissions.

The main tasks of the Committee are to:

1. Review the effect of previous rule changes
2. Make proposals for change on behalf of BAFA to IFAF (to any timetable set by IFAF)
3. Determine BAFA-specific amendments to rules as permitted by IFAF (once IFAF has issued any changes)
4. Advise BAFA on the changes to the BAFA Regulations

The Committee can either meet face-to-face or conduct its discussions by electronic means.

The Committee is supported by three specialist working groups focusing on:

• contact football (11 and 9-a-side)
• small-sided football (e.g. 5, 7, 8-a-side) including age group and women's football
• flag football

The decision of the committee will be reported to the BAFA CEO for confirmation.

A member's term of office is indefinite but will be reviewed for continuation of membership every 2 years after appointment or if they miss 2 meetings/votes, whichever is earlier.

BAFRA will continue to produce the rulebooks on behalf of BAFA and retains the copyright on behalf of BAFA of any such material.

Members

+ indicates an observer

BAFA Rules Committee

• Jim Briggs (BAFRA) Chair
• Ali May (BAFRA)
• Tim Ockendon (BAFRA)
• Pete Parsons (BAFRA)
• Steve Rains (Bournemouth University Bobcats)
• Paul Sutton (BAFRA)
• Lydon Ward-Best (BAFCA)
• Jon Wyse (Staffordshire Surge)
• Vacant (BAFA Flag Commission)
• + Joe Walker II (observer: Contact Lead)

Contact football Specialist Working Group

• Jim Briggs (BAFRA) Convenor
• Ali May (BAFRA)
• Pete Parsons (BAFRA)
• Paul Sutton (BAFRA)
• Steve Tonkinson (BAFRA)
• Joe Walker II (BAFA Contact Commission)
• Lydon Ward-Best (BAFCA)
• Jon Wyse (Staffordshire Surge)
• + Tonye Dukubo (observer: BUCS Programme Manager)

Small-sided football Specialist Working Group

• Pete Parsons (BAFRA) Convenor
• Ben Gadsby (BAFRA)
• Tam McKendrick (East Kilbride Pirates)
• Mathew Micklethwaite (NWFL Competition Manager and wheelchair football Welfare Lead)
• Tim Ockendon (BAFRA)
• Lydon Ward-Best (BAFCA)
• Joe Walker II (BAFA Contact Commission)
• Vacant (BAFRA)
• + Sam Stoddart and Verity Dean (observers: U19/U16 coordinators)

Flag football Specialist Working Group

• Tim Ockendon (BAFRA) Convenor
• Jed Brookes-Lewis (BAFRA)
• Martin Cockerill (BAFRA)
• Nick Coe (Solent Red Storm)
• Neil Henderson (Chichester Sharks and South Coast Spitfires)
• + Joe Walker II (observer: BAFA Flag Commission)
• + Paul Labbatt (observer: Flag Operations)
• + Jon Wyse (observer: Performance Services Manager)

Last updated March 2026