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AGOA Australian Gridiron Officials Association |
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Vale, Wes Neal! Posted 28 July, 2008
The members of the South Australian Gridiron Association and South Australian Gridiron Officials Association deeply mourn the passing of a founding member of gridiron in
Wes you have left many memories with people and trained many officials to become better officials in the sport of American Football. Your guidance, wisdom and teaching people the game of gridiron has been passed onto the next generation and is now being passed onto the next generation of officials and participants. You joined us as a regular member and left your mark as a Hall of Fame Official. Always a life member. On behalf of Daryl Argent for SAGOA members, Dave Sedgwick on behalf of GASA members and Grant Martin on behalf of AGOA members we say thanks. Daryl Argent
Posted 22 February 2008
Over 20 seasons ago no one would have thought an original official from the first season would still be on the field 500 games later. Tonight SAGOA and GASA invite you all to celebrate 500 games with Daryl Argent. He has been a part of 60% of GASA games, officiated in each junior season as well being a life member for services to GASA.
Daryl has been loyal to gridiron in South Australia and to officiating, giving up his time to serve on the GASA Board and be a part of the junior committee before work commitments took up this time in the latter years. He has always expressed that he enjoyed attending those meetings and the interactions he has had.
 LtoR John 'Doc' Sabine, Andrew Gregory, Gordon Tuft, Daryl Argent, Grant Martin, Simon Pollitt, Malcolm Harrison, Alex Sturdy, Bruce Daley and John Wilkie. Also in attendance at the game was Steve Bolbot (photographer), Wes Neale and Mark Farley.
Tonight we welcome back the ‘older’ crew of officials that Daryl has worked with over time, some of those officials also being in the inaugural season, including Wes Neal, ‘Doc’ Sabine and Bruce Daley. It must be great for them to see the game continuing on in SA and that SAGOA is still an active member of the league.
SAGOA is only 1 of 2 states in Australia to use full time officials and rarely has had to call on GASA to help provide club officials. Hopefully this will continue with some new officials joining and they can also have a long and prosperous career as an official in Gridiron here in SA. They could well be on their way to 500 games like Darryl is tonight.
When you decide to retire from the game come and watch from the best seat in the house and become an official on the field. If you have made plans to retire then give SAGOA an email on secretary@sagoa.info
Grant Martin SAGOA Coordinator of Officials Guidelines for pass interference and chop blocks
Posted - 12 March 2007
The following documents are available to help officials understand and make consistent calls in respect of pass interference and chop blocks:
1. Pass interference - 6 types NFL
This give examples of 6 types of potentially illegal contact. whilst it was written with NFL rules in mind it can equally be applied to our game when read in conjunction with NCAA rules.
2. Chop block table
This document shows the various scenarios in which a combination block can occur and indicates for each whether the block is legal or a foul.
AGOA conducts club officials training course
Posted - 12 March 2007
As part of his trip to NSW to work the Australia v Korea World Cup qualifier, AGOA Operations Manager Paul Mercer visited Sydney's newest club - the Northwestern Predators, to conduct a training session aimed at teaching the basic officiating requirements for club officials. With the current shortage of "full-time" officials in Sydney, clubs are rostered to provide officials and the Predators are keen to show that they can do a good job and "raise the bar" in terms of performance on the field.
With members of the coaching, administration and playing staff in attendance, the classroom sessions were interspersed with some on-field "walk-through's" to illustrate positioning and coverage issues. The participants showed plenty of interest in the sessions and the club expressed a desire to have more sessions in the future.
Footnote: Since the visit, another session has been arranged for Saturday 16th June to which all NSW clubs have been invited.
Former player joins the officiating ranks
Posted - 12 March 2007
Scott Seymour started playing gridiron with the Croydon Rangers in the VGFL's inaugural season in 1983. He played in excess of 60 consecutive games from that time finishing at Croydon on about 85 games in 1995. During that time he played in all interior line positions on both offence and defense and occasionally as a linebacker. He also served on the Rangers committee for a number of years including time as President and Vice President.
In 1995 he moved from Victoria to Western Australia and played the 95/96 season with the Hyde Park Giants before retiring from gridiron after the first game of the 96/97 season.
At this time outside interests took him away from the sport until the 2006/2007 season found him looking for another activity. Of the options available, gridiron held the most interest, although he no longer had the desire to get involved in the coaching or management of a club, therefore officiating was an attractive option.
After contacting Tom Marshman, it was pretty much straight in to it as the season had just commenced, Scott very quickly got a different perspective on the game and the requirements of officiating, although some might believe this appreciation has come some 10-20 years too late for a few of the VGOA officials (his words)!
We wish Scott every success with his officiating and hope that he gets the same enjoyment and satisfaction from it that he did as a player. As players reach the end of their careers we need to encourage more of them to stay involved with the game by becoming officials.
WA & SA Championship crews
Posted - 12 March 2007
 WA Lineup (L-R) Mark Bray (L), Gerrit Boogert (SJ), Steve Arnold (R), Nigel Brown (FJ), Scott Seymour (U), Tom Marshman (LJ)
Steve Arnold was the referee for the 2006 Gridiron West Bowl in which the Westside Steelers defeated the Rockingham Vipers 40-0. The rest of the crew was Scott Seymour (U), Gerrit Boogert (L), Tom Marshman (LJ), Nigel Brown (FJ) and Mark Bray (SJ). According to Tom Marshman the game was possibly the best Steelers v Vipers game in years despite the score and went well with very few flags.
In SA, Grant Martin was the referee as the Eastside Razorbacks defeated the Southern District Oilers 12-0. The other members of the crew were Darryl Argent (U), Gordon Tuft (L), Claude Penco (LJ), Grant Keiller (BJ), Simon Pollitt (FJ) and Andrew Gregory (SJ). AGOA Operations Manager Paul Mercer was at the game as a guest of SAGOA and provided a critique of the crews performance. After the game, presentations were made to recognise the following milestones reached during the season: Andrew Gregory 300 games, Grant Keiller 150 games and Simon Pollitt 50 games.
Australia vs Korea Lineup
 Officiating crew for the Australia v. Korea World Cup qualifier (from L-R): Lee Bo Hyung (SJ), Cho Gyo Beow (LJ), Andrew Calverley (BJ), Park Jae Sick (U), Paul Mercer (FJ), Tony Martin (L) and Peter Springwald (R)
Australia v Korea World Cup Qualifier, 2007
Posted - 12 March 2007
Tumbi Umbi, north of Sydney, was the venue for a World Cup qualifying game between Australia and Korea on 27 January 2007. The day was hot with a very strong wind blowing but by game time (5pm) the temperature had dropped a few degrees although the strength of the wind meant that passing in one direction was very risky.
The game was officiated by officials from three countries. The referee, Peter Springwald, was from Germany and there were three Australian and three Korean officials.
If there was one lesson to be learnt from this game, it was the value of using signals. From the moment the pre-game conference started it became apparent that communication was going to be an important factor - the Korean officials, Park, Lee and Cho, spoke little or no English and the pre-game conference was conducted with the aid of an interpretor. This meant that our preparation was less satisfactory than we would have liked. However it soon become clear that even though we spoke different languages off the field, on the field we were on the same page. Korean and Australian officials use the same mechanics and signals and there were few problems once the game started.
The game itself was competitive and played in fairly good spirits. After an even first half the score was 7-7 before Korea jumped ahead 19-7 against the breeze in the 3rd quarter. Australia then ran a kick back for a touchdown but the score was negated by a foul during the return. In the final quarter Korea scored a field goal before Australia got a late consolation touchdown. Miles Newman receives Hall of Fame certificate
Posted 3 March 2007
At the recent Australia v Korea World Cup qualifier, former NSW official Miles Newman was finally able to receive his certificate confirming his induction into the officiating Hall of Fame.
Miles, along with John Sabine and Wes Neal of South Australia, was an inaugural inductee in 2006.
Former AGOA President, Andrew Calverley from Queensland, is shown presently Miles with his certificate. You can check out the biographies for all the 2006 recipients under the original posting of the Hall of Fame inductees in September 2006.
 Miles Newman (left) receives his Hall of Fame certificate from 2006 AGOA President, Andrew Calverley
Dates confirmed for Junior Nationals
Posted 23 February 2007
Six states have confirmed their intention to compete at this years Championships on the Gold Coast. Subject to the schedule being finalised, the opening games will be on Sunday 13th May, followed by two games on both Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th. The final round of games will be held on Saturday 19th.
NCAA press release on rule changes for 2007
Posted 23 February 2007
NCAA FOOTBALL RULES COMMITTEE VOTES TO RESTORE PLAYS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN SHORTER OVERALL GAME TIME
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico—The NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed several rules items intended to restore the number of plays while limiting the amount of elapsed time needed to play a college contest. The committee voted to eliminate provisions used last year that helped shave 14 minutes off of game times. All rules proposals will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel March 12 before taking effect. “The changes we made last year, overall, did not have a positive effect on college football at all levels,” said Michael Clark, chair of the committee and head coach at Bridgewater (Virginia) College. “Our charge is to protect the game and do what is best for college football. Last year’s game lost too many plays, but it accomplished the need to shorten the overall time it takes to play a game. The changes we have made for 2007 balance both of these issues.”
In Rule 3-2-5-e, the committee altered its rule to have the clock start on the snap after a change in possession, as opposed to the 2006 rule which started the clock when the referee signaled the ball ready for play. Also, the committee returned its rules on free kicks to 2005 standards, starting the clock on kickoffs only when the ball is legally touched in the field of play.
After approving these proposals, the committee addressed reducing some of the dead time in the game with the intent to have overall game times in 2007 comparable to those in 2006.
The group approved the following items to address this issue:
Total 11-14 minutes. No effect on playing time.
The committee briefly considered moving to a federated process for its rules, as the changes made last year primarily affected Division I institutions. “Separating our rules by division is not something the committee is in favor of pursing,” Clark said. “NCAA football includes all the divisions and we have always had tremendous cooperation at all levels. This will continue.” In other news, starting in 2008 the committee approved a 40-second/25-second play clock combination. The committee, reviewing strong support for a 40-second/25-second play from coaches, officials and administrators, approved this move to achieve a more uniform pace of play
AGOA News Venue confirmed for World Cup qualifier
Posted 25 October, 2006
Michael Ryan, Chairman of Gridiron Australia, today confirmed the venue for the December 30 World Cup qualifier between the Australian Outback and the New Zealand Ironblacks.
The game will be played at the Gatorade Regional Athletics Centre, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi on the Central Coast (approximately 1 hours drive north of Sydney). It will be a 90 yard field with 10 yard end zones and a grass surface. Kick-off will be at 5
Nominations sought for appointment to the National Panel Posted: October 16, 2006 With several senior officials having retired over the past 12 months there are now opportunities for officials to join the National Panel. The National Panel concept is designed to recognize and reward officials who make a contribution to officiating at both the local and national level. It will also create competition and ensure that people are working hard to maintain their skills and qualifications Each GOA has been asked to nominate up to 3 of its officials for consideration.Nominees should be; Once nominated, officials would be required to provide an officiating CV and pass a rules and mechanics exam. The 10 highest-scoring officials, having achieved a score of at least 75% (the Level 2 pass mark), would be appointed to the National Panel. The next 6 highest-scoring officials, having achieved a score of at least 65% (the Level 1 pass mark) would be appointed to the Development Panel. All appointments would be for a 12 month period. Further details about the re-appointment process will be issued in due course. Accreditiation Overview - This is a Word document. Trans Tasman crew for World Cup qualifier
Posted: October, 2006
Peter Springwald, Chairman of the Officiating Department of IFAF (International Federation of American Football) has confirmed that the upcoming game between Australia and New Zealand will be officiated by a split Australian/New Zealand crew. Speaking from his home in Germany, Peter indicated that the referee would be assigned from a non-competing country and that each country would provide 3 officials as follows:
Australia - Umpire, wing & Back Judge
New Zealand - wing, Side Judge and Field Judge
The game will be played in Sydney on Saturday 30th Dec - venue and time to be confirmed. Should Australia win they would then play Korea in Sydney on Saturday 27th January with the winner advancing to the World Cup which will be held in Japan from July 7th to 15th.
Further information, including details about the selection process for the Australian officials, will be provided as it becomes available.
Bryan Currie, now a Life Member of Gridiron Victoria, was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Victorian Gridiron Officials Association. Posted: October, 2006
After 20 years of officiating Bryan Currie fittingly ended his career by refereeing VicBowl XXII in which the Nunawading Warriors defeated the Croydon Rangers 12-3. Following the game, Bryan was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing his contribution to the sport in Victoria and was also awarded Life membership of Gridiron Victoria.
Bryan joined VGOA in its first year and has been a mainstay of the organization, holding every management position throughout the years. He has also been a strong and committed supporter of the national officiating body and has served on their executive.
During his career Bryan worked 366 senior games in the local competition and more than 60 games at state or national level. He officiated at five senior National Championships, refereeing the final in 2003 and 2006. He has also officiated in 13 of the 22 VicBowls - 3 as white cap. His only international was the 2001 Australia v New Zealand test match at Runaway Bay in Queensland although he did work as Umpire in the 1988 Kookaburras v Gt Britain unofficial test match at Tweed Heads in 1988.
His calm manner, rules knowledge and people skills earned him respect from players and coaches around the country and his experience will be missed at both state and national level.
Local hero, Bryan Currie, voted Official of the Year in Victoria with Paul Mercer (not pictured). Posted: October, 2006 For the first time in its 3-year history, the Gridiron Victoria "Official of the Year" award was shared when Bryan Currie and Paul Mercer polled the same number of votes. The award is voted on by the coaches at the end of each senior season and recognizes the official who has made the greatest contribution to the local game.
Inductees Wes Neal (L) and John Sabine (R) with AGOA outgoing President 2006, Andrew Calverley. AGOA announces Inaugural inductees into Officiating Hall of Fame Posted: September, 2006
AGOA announced the names of its inaugural inductees at the 2006 Senior Nationals Tournament Dinner held in Adelaide this week.
The Class of 2006 comprises Wes Neal and John Sabine from Sth Australia and Miles Newman from NSW. All three officials have given tremendous service to the sport over 20 years and have been at the forefront of officiating both within their own states and at the national level. As their bio's show, each of them has also made a significant contribution at both state and national level to the organization and administration of the sport and are deserving recipients of this recognition.
2006 AGOA AGM
Posted: September, 2006
At its annual general meeting held during the recent National Championships the following people were elected as Office Bearers for the next 12 months: Thanks to the previous office bearers who gave so generously of their time and other resources for the betterment of gridiron officiating in Australia.
2006 Senior Nationals Posted: September, 2006
2006 AGOA Senior National Officiating crew for the Finals: LJ - Keiller (SA), FJ - Taylor (ACT), SJ - Martin (SA), Alt - Clarke (WA), U - Argent (SA), R - Currie (Vic), L - Marshman (WA). Competition for places in the crew for the final was fierce and the ultimate decisions had to take into account those officials who would be required to work both games on the last day. In the event, both games were close affairs and the officials needed to maintain their concentration and focus right up to the last play.
SA officials in the wars! Two South Australian officials have been injured in the past fortnight while working games. Firstly, Grant Keiller suffered a severe knee injury and then the following weekend Steve Bolbot, ironically only working as a replacement for Grant, suffered a dislocated right kneecap, pulled a groin muscle and twisted/sprained his right ankle. Both incidents occurred when the officials were working on the sidelines but were unable to avoid on-rushing players.
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