|
Comment Period Open for Supervising Judge Application for Dave Collett
May 26, 2021 The comment period for Supervising Judge application for Dave Collett, Lincoln, NE is now open. The NAFA? Judges Committee has received an application for supervisory judging status from Dave Collett of Lincoln, NE. Comments on this applicant should be directed to the Judges Committee at judges@.... Comments received will be reviewed by the Judges Committee and the Board of Directors. Names will remain private unless permission is granted for them to be disseminated to the applicant. The Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for consideration at the next board meeting. *Effective October 1, 2009, the Board adopted new rules on considering applications for supervising judges. The rules were adopted to give the Judges Committee and Board of Directors the opportunity to make a more informed decision on supervising judge applications. The new rules call for notice of the application to be posted on the NAFA? webpage for a period, ideally of seven days, to allow for comment to the Board. Applicants are also required to meet with the Judges Committee via teleconference to discuss his or her application. *Prospective judges must possess all of the best qualities one could want in a Supervising Judge . . . fairness, firmness, safety minded, a good attitude to the sport, the participants, the spectators, a sense of responsibility to the sport and as a representative of NAFA?. *Prospective judges must be willing and able to mentor new and apprentice judges, answering questions, challenging apprentices, and generally overseeing the education of the new judge. The sharing of experiences and the ability to explain rulings and other nuances of the sport are an absolute must. Prospective judges must have excellent measuring skills since his or her measurement is the deciding factor for any height cards. It is understood that the meeting of all of the necessary criteria for Supervisory status does not mean an automatic approval by the Board of Directors. It is not the intention of the Board to appoint great numbers of Supervisory Judges in any area. |
|
Important Update to Phase 1 Transitional Flyball Requirements
The NAFA Executive Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021. The purpose of this call was in response to questions from many hosts and competitors about how to interpret various local and state/provincial rules regarding the recently published requirements concerning the wearing of face masks. As a result of this meeting, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to require that face masks be worn at all NAFA sanctioned events until further notice. Consistent with NAFA¡¯s management of suspending tournaments for the past year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NAFA wishes to provide their host clubs, judges, and competitors with a single face mask policy across all regions as we return to playing flyball. In addition, this aligns with other dog sport organizations requiring that face masks be worn while participating in their events. This requirement supersedes previous guidance and is in effect for all current and future sanctioned tournaments until further notice. All other requirements and recommendations for Phase 1 (Transitional Flyball) remain in effect. Any questions or concerns should be directed to flyball@... Further details on the mask mandate can be found in the updated requirements and recommendations document on Thank you, Steve Corona NAFA Chairman of the Board |
|
NAFA Election Results
The NAFA Board of Directors held a Zoom meeting on Friday, January 15, 2021.? As part of that meeting, the NAFA election results were ratified. Congratulations to all! ? Board of Directors: Emma Mak Lynda Mantler ? ? ? ? ?? Jayne McQuillen ? ? ? Clyde Moore Memorial Hall of Fame: Chaos ? ? ? ? ? ? Jack-Jack ? ? ? Judge of the Year: Anthony Pirnat REGIONAL MVP¡¯s (There were no nominees in Regions 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22) Regional MVP, Region 4 Shay ? Regional MVP, Region 5 Red ? ? Regional MVP, Region 6 Zip ? ? ? Regional MVP, Region 7 Sonic ? Regional MVP, Region 9 Jackson Regional MVP, Region 11 Blast ? Regional MVP, Region 12 Dusty Regional MVP, Region 14 Joly ? ? Regional MVP, Region 16 Cannon ? ? ? ? Regional MVP, Region 18 Kilo ? ? Regional MVP, Region 19 Wink ? In addition, the Board of Directors elected the following officers to the Executive Committee: Steve Corona - Chairperson Emma Mak ¨C Vice-Chair Lynda Mantler - Secretary Dana Hanson - Treasurer ? ? ? |
|
Highlights from the NAFA Virtual AGM
Highlights from the Virtual AGM held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 are posted below. Flyball stats from 2020 season: It was certainly not an ideal flyball year, having only raced for 7.5 months across NAFA. However, here are some stats from the past year: ¡ñ 104 events hosted ¡ñ 29 different states/provinces hosted events (35 in previous years) ¡ñ 2422 teams that raced across 242 clubs (288 in 2019) ¡ñ 356 new iron dog titles ¡ñ 1138 dogs earned titles ¡ñ 121 different breeds earned points CanAm Update: NAFA is forging ahead with plans for CanAm 2021. We are all very hopeful that life is completely back to normal by then and that many of you are excited to attend this fall. We will be sending out a brief survey to club owners to gauge attendance and help us plan for the event. AKC TV and ESPN: Exciting updates from AKC TV and ESPN. I know there was an announcement a month or so ago that created some confusion. To be abundantly clear, the event you saw posted by EPSN/AKC was in fact NAFA¡¯s CanAm event. The naming on that announcement was simply an error on EPSN¡¯s behalf which will be corrected. ¡ñ AKC TV: We will be working with AKC TV throughout the year and plan to have a few regular NAFA events livestreamed on their site. They are also planning to livestream the CanAm racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday ¡ñ ESPN: We are excited to say that after the huge success of the ESPN Dog Days event last year, ESPN will be filming the NAFA Championship Races at CanAm on Sunday for broadcast a couple days later. There are many logistics to finalize, but this is a great opportunity to showcase NAFA Flyball! NAFA Tournament Re-opening Plans: NAFA will open for flyball tournaments on April 1, 2021. Right now, we are well aware that COVID conditions vary wildly across the Canadian Provinces and US States. In that regard we plan to have ¡°Transitional¡± Flyball in effect for a number of months. Phase 1: Transitional Flyball Period This will allow clubs and teams the ability to play, based on local laws and regulations, perhaps in a limited fashion. We will be publishing a set of requirements and recommendations in the next couple of weeks for host clubs and tournament participants to follow during this transitional phase. During Phase 1: ¡ñ There will be no Regional or NAFA Championships at stake. ¡ñ We will remove the need for line and box judges. This removes 4 people from the ring, providing better social distancing and safety. ¡ñ The addition of a 7th dog slot on the C.2 form for warm-ups ONLY. Some people have expressed concern about introducing new dogs to flyball, and in some cases they have a number of young dogs that have not been allowed to become acclimated to the tournament environment. To help in that transition we will be allowing a 7th dog to be listed on the C.2 timesheet with a valid CRN. This slot is ONLY for a warmup dog, and it cannot run in a heat. We welcome your feedback on this during Phase 1 as we may consider adding this 7th slot, and even allowing them to race, once we return to normal racing. This would require some scoring and database rework; therefore, we will see how it is received before making a final decision. Phase 2: Normal Flyball ¡ñ Once restrictions on large gatherings are lifted in all regions, the US/Canada border is open and the vaccine is available to everyone we will move into Phase 2 Normal Flyball. We are hopeful that this will be October 1, 2021. ¡ñ When we enter Phase 2, all normal rules of racing will return. ¡ñ Bonus Points - To try and mitigate all the lost flyball and dog points, when we enter Phase 2 Normal Flyball and for a period of 12 months, the same amount of time we lost to COVID, dogs will accrue double the dog points per each heat. For example, instead of 1, 5 or 25 points based on team time the points awarded will be 2, 10 or 50 points based on team time. Bonus points for first place will still be awarded. Iron Dog Exception: We are extending the exception that any eligible dog that didn¡¯t get to compete because of COVID will get credit towards their iron dog title for the 2021 season. Note, this won¡¯t appear in the database until the beginning of the 2022 season. Measuring: While many of our plans to demo a new device were derailed in 2020, we took the opportunity to task a Special Measuring Committee to evaluate and make recommendations to the NAFA BoD on the current processes and rules around measuring. We are excited to report the following changes that the committee recommended and that have been accepted and approved by the NAFA BoD. ¡ñ New measuring device consisting of a standard self-leveling laser (typically used in construction) used with a NAFA designed ruler. This device will continue to measure a dog at the withers. This device has been extremely well received and is safe! ¡ñ We are encouraging handlers to measure their dogs on a table (typically a grooming table) but note, this is strictly the handler¡¯s choice to measure on the floor or a table. This has a number of advantages, in particular the judge doesn¡¯t need to be on their knees leaning over the dog. Even dogs who experienced issues in the past with the wicket have done well with the new device while being measured on a table. ¡ñ See the NAFA website for a brief video demonstrating and further describing this device. ¡ñ Devices will be sent to all RDs as soon as possible. ¡ñ Create measuring training videos with new measuring device for competitors, judges and regional directors. ¡ñ Implement a measuring certification program with the new measuring device for all judges. ¡ñ Regional Directors will be trained and play a larger role in measuring, working as a team with judges to minimize conflict of interest concerns. ¡ñ Mandatory Measuring will be implemented. ¡ñ Prior to the age of two (2) years, a dog only needs to be measured once giving them a Temporary Measurement. Handlers may opt to measure more frequently for practice before the age of two. ¡ñ After the age of two (2) years, dogs whose height will determine the jump heights for the team, are required to measure until they have a Permanent Measurement. ¡ñ A Permanent Measurement is obtained with 2 matching measurements from 2 different judges. A Permanent Measurement is good for the life of the dog - they will never have to measure again. ¡ñ Dogs over ten (10) years of age at the time Mandatory Measuring goes into effect are exempt from measuring. ¡ñ The Certified Measuring Judge position/program is being eliminated. All judges will be trained and certified to measure for Permanent Measurements. ¡ñ Challenges from competitors and judges are being eliminated. ¡ñ Implement a one-time Owner-Initiated Remeasure process. ¡ñ If the dog has a Permanent Measurement, they will not need to re-measure in the case of a world record heat. All other requirements set forth in the rulebook for validation of a world record, including video verification, will still be necessary. New Measuring Rollout Timeline: We understand that this will take some time for training and practice. Therefore, we have a roll-out plan that allows for plenty of time for this adjustment. There is an infographic on the NAFA website that outlines this rollout timeline. ¡ñ Phase 1: April 1st, 2021 ¡ñ Judges will be trained and become certified on using the new device and measuring ¡ñ Competitors are welcome to measure their dogs on the new device. They do not need to be ¡°official¡± measurements for the purposes of racing. ¡ñ During this phase the wicket is still the official measuring device and all current rules are still in effect. ¡ñ Phase 2: Normal Racing Resumes (exact date to be determined but we are hopeful this can begin October 1, 2021 ¡ñ 12-month training period starts before mandatory measuring takes effect ¡ñ The laser level and ruler take over as the official measuring device. ¡ñ Competitors are encouraged to try the device, and practice measuring as much as they choose. ¡ñ Measuring is not yet mandatory however the Permanent Measurement can be obtained from a judge certified on the device. ¡ñ Phase 3: End of Training Period, Mandatory Measuring in Effect (exact date to be determined but we are hopeful this will be October 1, 2022) ¡ñ Mandatory measuring will be in effect and dogs running as height dogs will be required to measure until they obtain their Permanent Measurement. ¡ñ Dogs over the age of 10 years of age at the beginning of the mandatory measurement period are exempt from measuring. However, if they run a height that is clearly not accurate as a height dog, they could be subject to unsportsmanlike charges. The board has agreed on the high-level concepts for this new measuring program and is working on finalizing the details and specific wording for the 2022 rulebook. We plan to publish the details around this new measuring program prior to April 1, 2021. Thank you, Neil Flood - Executive Director North American Flyball Association |
|
Get to Know Your Candidates Part 2
Have you voted yet for BOD Candidates, Hall of Fame, Regional MVPs and Judge of the Year?? The second and final round of Q&A with this year's Board of Directors nominees has been posted on the NAFA Blog.??See all the candidates responses here:?? For any questions about the election please contact?elections@... Polls opened December 1st, 2020 and close Wednesday January 13th , 2021 at midnight CST.? Results will be announced at the NAFA Virtual AGM on January 16th, 2021. Thank you, Steve Corona |
|
NAFA Virtual AGM Registration Information
Happy New Year NAFA Flyballers! The NAFA Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 3:00 PM CST. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AGM will be held virtually via Zoom.? Following are the details as to how the meeting will be conducted on-line. 1.? The meeting will be open to a maximum of 300 connections. 2.? If you would like to attend, please supply your name, email, and region on the following Google Form: ? 3.? To expedite the Q&A portion of the meeting, we are asking that all questions be submitted prior to the call on the form linked above.? You may submit a question without attending the call. ? 4.? The deadline to register and/or submit questions is Midnight CST on Friday, January 15th, 2021. 5.? There will be no questions accepted during the call. 6.? Call-in details will be emailed at Noon CST on January 16, 2021 to those that have pre-registered (limited to the first 300 connections). Thank you, Steve Corona NAFA Chairman of the Board |
|
Board of Directors Candidate Chat
Please join the NAFA Election Committee and our Board of Director nominees for the one and only live candidate chat of this election year. The chat is scheduled for Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 at 7:00 PM CST. The chat will happen here: NEW for this chat: We have had feedback that private messaging the moderator in the CBox software has been problematic for people. For this reason, those wishing to ask questions do NOT need to register/login. Questions should now be posed to the moderator in one of three ways: 1. Private message on Facebook Messenger to NAFA's page. 2. Private message on Facebook Messenger directly to moderator (NAFA Chairman, Steve Corona). 3. Email to elections@... The candidates and moderators will still be using the CBox software to post questions and responses live, and will be the only ones that need to login. If you have any questions please email: elections@... Candidates responses to the first round of Q&A have been posted to the NAFA Blog located here: Thank you, Steve Corona |
Steve Corona