Basketball refs sought
The Niagara District Basketball Referees Association is looking for a few good men and women.
“Realistically, our association is aging and with these past two years of no reffing or no new people coming in, it is even more so,” said Brian MacIsaac, a member of the association’s executive.
The association is not sure how many new officials are needed.
“We could take as many as eight to 10 but that is still up for debate among the executive. We need to get in a room and discuss that once we get a look at the whole picture and see the applicants,” NDBRA education officer Mike Ferri said.
Those interested are invited to send an application to michaelshara959@gmail.com and successful applicants will be contacted for fall training sessions.
“We don’t know what response we will get and we don’t want to promise we will take everyone if we get a big outpouring,” Ferri said. “We want the right people and we don’t know exactly what that looks like until we see the applicants.”
The association is not sure yet what the training sessions will look like and there is a potential for a hybrid online/in person model.
“Under normal circumstances, it would be in-class learning and we would also get people to go on the court to do some practical sessions after the class sessions,” Ferri said. “Given the current climate, we don’t know the status of in-class learning so we may be doing it on-line in a Zoom format and then as soon as we can get on the floor, we will do that.”
In-class learning last about six weeks with about two hours for each session.
“We figure we have to start the training process, get people trained now and have people ready to backfill the potential vacancies,” Ferri said.
The attributes the association is looking for includes a strong basketball background, good fitness level, effective communication skills, availability and the ability to be flexible with schedules, and a willingness to learn and take feedback.
“We are looking for people who have some experience either playing the game or maybe coaching at some point,” MacIsaac said. “When people have a good knowledge of how the game works and some of the basic rules, the more the better is what our experience has been.
“It is not necessarily true but people who have played at a young age at a fairly competitive level generally are able to grow as an official a little bit easier.”
A strong fitness level is needed to officiate.
“More and more, there is a focus on officials who have an athletic look about them and are able to move up and down the court and get in position,” MacIsaac said. “The real emphasis in basketball officiating right now is being in the proper position and being stationary in that position. The better you are able to move into position and be ready to receive and see the play, the better off you are going to be. That takes a level of athleticism.”
That level of athleticism is important in today’s game.
“The quickness of the play has evolved especially with implementing the shot clock,” he said. “And now at even the younger and younger ages, the players are so athletic and the play is really quick. You don’t see it like you used to where a team will come down, settle and run a minute off the clock or whatever.”
Even more important than a strong fitness level are effective communication skills.
“An official needs to have that innate ability to communicate in a calm and respectful manner and get their point across in a few words, but also come across as someone who listens and is respectful in their interactions,” MacIsaac said.
Being available to officiate games at different hours is also required.
“A lot of the newer officials will start out doing elementary school games as well and they typically start at 3:30 or 4 o’clock,” MacIsaac said. “I am not saying you have to be available on a weekday at 3:45 or whatever, but it would certainly help in getting some assignments and advancing in the game. You need as much flexibility as possible.”
A willingness to learn and take feedback, especially in a ref’s first few years on the floor, is a valuable commodity.
“We have some wonderful mentors, people who have been around and refereed at every level. They will help with all of that,” MacIsaac said. “As a new official, if you get assigned with someone who has experience, they are going to help you along but you have to be willing and able to listen to what they have to say and keep your mind open.”
MacIsaac and Ferri are encouraging people to give basketball officiating a try.
“We are definitely going to be looking for a crop of new officials so don’t be shy about applying or thinking it is going to be the same old guys,” MacIsaac said. “There are going to be opportunities and if people want to advance into higher level of officiating, there are all kinds of opportunities for that, especially for younger people. Basketball Canada is looking for young people to bring up through the system.”
Ferri believes officiating is a great way for people to stay involved with basketball once their playing or coaching days are over.
“It is challenging and rewarding. It is difficult but there is a great sense of camaraderie with the fellow refs and it gives you the ability to see the game in a way that you probably haven’t done before. You can’t really understand what it is like to be a ref until you are in it. It is a truly unique way to experience the game.”
There is also a monetary component to officiating.
“The elephant in the room is that you get a few extra bucks in your pocket at the same time,” Ferri said.
