Report of the BCFOA Vice President-Canadian Football

December 20, 2009 AGM

1. The Year in Review

The year’s activities started quickly as we met early in January & February, 2009 to finalize a contract with the BCFC, the major Canadian client to BCFOA. A successful resolution resulted in a 3-year Agreement, which ends in late 2011. While specifying basics such as fees and reimbursements for travel, the Agreement was completely re-written and re-formatted.

A major change initiative this year was successful implementation of electronic disbursement of travel funds, per diems, plus hotel and ferry expenses. This was a major step in building a trusting relationship between BCFC and BCFOA. In addition, the BCFC funded and were financially responsible for the June Seminar of BCFC Panel Members.

We implemented a process by which all members of BCFOA could apply to work BCFC games. This also was successful with the rewarding experience of introducing new officials to this level of football.

We also have Agreements with the following Football Associations: (Thanks to Greg Barnes for his tireless efforts to bring all of these contracts to a successful conclusion.)

-Kamloops Junior Football Association

-Kelowna Minor Football Association

-Vancouver Island Community Football Association

-Salmon Arm Minor Football Association

-Vernon and District Minor Football Association

The Allocators for Canadian Football in BC are Ross Thompson, Darryl Hern, Bert Ducharme, Mike Gatto and Larry Rohan. They have submitted companion reports to mine. I thank them for their tireless efforts to ensure our clients are served extremely well. It is often a thankless job. So, I thank them, and their wives for everything they have to put up with during the season.

A very successful and rewarding meeting was held with the Executive of the Lower Mainland Referees Association ( LMFRA) and the Executive of BCFOA. It was a very positive dialogue and any previous difficulties appear to have disappeared and an amicable determination to move forward to support one another in our diverse needs was accomplished. A special thanks to Jeff Huot, President of LMFRA for making this meeting happen.

Canadian Educator, Carey Anderson, (CFL Official and graduate of the LMFRA and BCFOA) organized a very successful clinic for BCFOA Panel Members. The theme was simply “SEE IT; KNOW IT; RULE IT.” Just as last years theme of “Eliminating the Phantom Call” had positive results, this year’s message was very well received as evidenced on the field by the official’s concentration and performance.

To our Educators in the Interior and on the Island respectively: thanks for bringing along some fine new officials to officiate Canadian community football as well as recommending some the members in your regions to work at the BCFC level..

I have been extremely busy as your Vice President – Canadian Football and would like to thank Greg Barnes, Larry Rohan, and Darryl Hern for their support.

2. Next Year’s Focus.

I have some objectives that I would like to share with you for the next Canadian Football season:

- Revise the conducting of Level I, II, III, IV clinics to properly identify our capable

officials and to qualify them for post-season assignments.

- Continue to recruit and educate new and competent officials

- Re-introduce the weekly or bi-weekly meeting of Canadian Officials to review film,

discuss recent events, review “What the evaluators have to say”, focus on points of

emphasis, and to review mainly mechanics and have some rules discussion.

- Evaluation will continue to be my priority as the results achieved have been obvious

and beneficial to all officials who come under the scrutiny of an Evaluator.

- A review of the need for 6 or 7 men on the field.

- I plan to travel to the Interior and the Island to conduct a thorough mechanics session

prior to the season starting. Possibly, this will be in conjunction with a Level I or II

clinic but it will emphasize the importance of mechanics.

- To introduce the Theme for 2010 as “hustling to the point of progress”.

- To find a suitable replacement for me as Vice-President-Canadian Football for election

at the 2010 AGM.

Signed Bruce Hawkshaw, Vice President Canadian BCFOA