Dear Sirs.
This letter is to formally request that the BAFPA (British American Football Players Association) be recognised by BAFA and its member organisations.
The BAFPA has been borne out of a feeling of necessity, that all players should have the ability to have their voice heard in the same way that is afforded to coaches (BAFCA), referees (BAFRA), and the member leagues (BUAFL and BAFL) in British American Football.
We have asked for all players to show there support and sign up via the new website www.bafpa.org.uk to gauge the level of interest in moving the association forwards. In the first instance a Facebook page was opened to see if this was something the players actually wanted, and with 1000 members in less than 48 hours, we believe that question was answered in stunning fashion, drawing support from players across the UK. This has led us to believe that the BAFPA can and will go ahead with the full support and backing of the players.
The BAFPA wishes to acknowledge that it has no grievance or allegiance with either BAFA or BAFL. We have one sole purpose, which is to provide a democratically elected committee to run the association for the benefit of it members, and for that association to be recognised by the NGB with a voting seat. Again our request is that we should have the same rights as the BAFRA and the BAFCA in being granted voting rights as a recognised association within BAFA.
We also acknowledge that the recent events have not been typically demonstrative of all the past efforts everyone has made to bring this sport to where it is now. However recent events also show that there is much more we can all do, by having frank and open discussions and by having all parties equally represented at the upper levels of our sport.
We wish to outline our main principles and hope that the BAFPA is both accepted and acknowledged as a legitimate members association.
• The BAFPA’s purpose is to represent the views, wishes and desires of the people who participate in the sport as players.
• The BAFPA is independent and represents only the views of the players without prejudice.
• The BAFPA will ensure complete transparency in all communications to all our members.
• The BAFPA shall work within the confines of the NGB but is impartial in all matters.
• The BAFPA members will democratically vote for their board
The BAFPA has three current temporary board members, Don Edmonston, Paul Smyth and Ryan Baker.
These members are acting as individuals for what is believed to be the good of the sport, and do not represent views of any other organisations, club or otherwise. As soon as the BAFPA is functional and recognised, these temporary board members will step aside and the first proper BAFPA board be voted in.
Our proposed structure will be this:
• Each club will vote and hold one BAFPA representative.
• Each BAFPA representative will have one vote within the BAFPA structure.
• The BAFPA board will be democratically elected from applicants within the association.
• One voted board member will act as chair and be present at any meetings required.
We understand there will be many more questions regarding the structure and purpose of the BAFPA from its proposed membership, however we believe that in building a new and transparent organisation, the BAFPA can evolve as its membership feels best.
The BAFPA asks that this letter of intent is taken seriously and we hope that the sports long standing associations and organisations see this as a positive step and gives the BAFPA its full support and backing.
We ask that all communication is sent via all three members in all instances.
Yours in sport
Don Edmonston
Paul Smith
Ryan Baker
On behalf of the BAFPA
BAFPA CONTACTS
Don Edmonston don.edmonston@bafpa.org.uk
Paul Smyth paul.smyth@bafpa.org.uk
Ryan Baker ryan.baker@bafpa.org.uk
