AFTDA Documents
Association of Flat Track Roller Derby Announcers
AFTDA Code Of Conduct |
Written by T.R. Griffith |
ASSOCIATION OF FLAT TRACK DERBY ANNOUNCERS PREAMBLE: Finally, this document shall evolve over time with the sport. A mandatory meeting to review this Code of Conduct shall be held on a yearly basis, prior to the beginning of the inter-league tournament season. Also, in the event of a reprehensible incident (such as an announcer being ejected from an event) a special meeting will be held to review the incident, determine if the code was enforced properly, and determine if revisions to the Code are necessary by the Board of Directors. As members of the Association of Flat Track Derby Announcers (AFTDA) we have elected to share our knowledge and experience in the hope that in doing so, this culmination will provide a baseline standard for current and future announcers. To that end we present the following Code of Conduct as set of guidelines comprised of techniques that are proven and known to work. CODE OF CONDUCT: Any announcer showing visual or audible signs of intoxication or any other state that may negatively impact their ability to perform the duties of an announcer during the bout will not be allowed to participate as an announcer in that bout. The parties involved in making this decision are addressed in the preamble. Announcers will research any team they are announcing for prior to the bout. Prior to a bout, announcers from each team should provide non-tactical information to each other within one week of the bout. For multi-league tournaments, each attending league’s announcer should provide this information to the hosting league’s announcer or announcer liaison. A minimum of skater name and number should be provided. Additional information such as a short league background, key stats or awards won by participants, or links to on-line photos of the skaters. Announcers must maintain a working knowledge of the current WFTDA rule set. Announcers should also inform visiting announcers of any and all “house rules” that may deviate from standard WFTDA play. Announcers should clarify the local definition of what is and is not appropriate language and content in accordance with the league, venue, and sponsors. Announcers should not directly interact on-mic with participants while they are participating in the jam, serving time in the penalty box, or awaiting the next jam on their bench. Interviews may be conducted provided they are arranged in advance and the announcer does not relinquish control of the mic during said interviews. Announcers may interact with medical staff to get updates on injured skaters. At the Head Officials discretion, announcers may interact with officials regarding rulings and decisions to provide information to the crowd. Announcers from a visiting league will get equal representation during inter-league games. During inter-league bouts, the host announcers will make accommodations for at least one visiting team's announcer to be on-mic. If equipment limitations prevent the use of more than two announcers, the host announcers should relinquish one of their mics to the visiting announcer. Announcers will resolve conflicts with other AFTDA members between themselves in an amicable manner. If the conflict can not be resolved in this manner the respective regional representatives are to be contacted and the issue should be resolved between all parties involved. The regional representative will act as a liaison between the announcers to resolve the conflict. If the conflict can still not be resolved, then it will be brought to the attention of the BOD. The BOD will then confer and make a decision regarding the conflict. Created by All decisions of this nature made by the BOD are final. In all levels of conflict management, AFTDA strives for strict confidentiality, and issues should be held in confidence by all parties involved. If an announcer(s) have a problem with their regional representative, this information can be passed onto one of the three at large representatives. Officials calls are final and incontestable by announcers. Every effort should be made to not undermine the integrity of the officials while at the same time communicating to the live audience what the official’s signals mean and how they affect the action at hand. Professionalism at all times is a must for all announcers with regards to officials and the calls they make. While at the venue announcers will maintain a level of professionalism with regards to their personal opinions of the events transpiring and participants involved. |