|
Atlantic
Football League Executive/Board Meeting Minutes April 7, 2010 – 8:00 p.m. Conference
Call Participants: Pat O’Brien, Commissioner, Larry Timms, Secretary/Treasurer, Bruce Watts, Scheduler
Board Members:
Saint John Seawolves – Barry Ogden
The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss the idea of expanding the season from the proposed 6 game regular season to 8 games. Regular Season 6 or 8 Games - Although the general consensus was that an 8 game season (home and home) would be ideal, concern about starting on September 11th and ending the last weekend in November was expressed. With many teams relying on students returning to school on or about the Labour Day weekend, concern that teams would only have a couple of practice times before their first game was an issue for them. The other concern was with the risk of both travel and field conditions in late November associated with weather. The League is hopeful that we will have an additional team in the 2011 Season and with 6 teams the league will avoid byes and the opportunity of a more balance schedule will result. The vote then took place with 3 teams (Seawolves, Red Bombers, Bengals) voting to retain the 6 game regular season for 2010 and 2 voting in favour of 8 (Raiders and Hurricanes). As a result, the 2010 season will move forward with the 6 game regular season schedule. League
Schedule- The group then discussed the 6 game proposed schedule
presented at the AGM. Bruce Watts asked each team to provide feedback on
this schedule, with some recommended movement between dates. We believe that scheduling, to ensure we have game officials, is mainly an issue with the NBFOA, as they have to balance the 3 NB AFL teams with CIS, High School and Minor League schedules. That is the reason we were attempting to have at least 2 of our games during the week. Based on the input provided to Bruce, plus other feedback previously sent, Bruce will draft a revised schedule ASAP. It is key that all teams agree on a proposed schedule soon, so it can be presented to the officials so we can obtain their agreement. Pat indicated he would talk to the NBFOA to see if we there were issues to see if we could use PEI/NS officials for NB home games, recognizing that there may be increased travel costs. Tie Breaker Rules – The issue with an unbalanced schedule and the tie breaker rules currently in the Bylaws was raised. Pat indicated he would review this a get back to everyone with a revised tie-breaker proposal. Football 2010 Budget and League Fees – A proposal had been sent to everyone as part of the AGM Minutes package a week before but Larry indicated he would re-distribute these. Drug Awareness Policy – a question was raised as to whether the League had a drug awareness policy. Although currently, there is no formal policy on this subject, there is both a Coaches and Player Code of Ethics as part of the AFL’s Constitution and Bylaws, that all participants are expected to follow. The Seawolves indicated they had a code of conduct that had to be signed by every player and coach and the Bengals indicated they will also require this for their team. Pat also indicated there was a discipline procedure in the Constitution, under Article VI – Judicial Duties, to address infractions to rules and the code of ethics. If anyone believes that we should have a specific Policy re drug awareness, they should present this at a future Board meeting. Motion re League Trophies – It was noted that the Board had never approved either of the league trophies, although both had been address at Board meetings. Barry indicated he would email a motion to correct this oversight. Action
Items
Responsibility 2010 Budget/ Team Fees – distribution Larry Timms Review Schedule Bruce Watts - All Revised Tie Breaker Policy Pat O’Brien League Trophy Motion Barry Ogden
|