Carl Jungebrand, the FIBA Head of Refereeing, will begin a series of training camps this weekend in Melbourne and Sydney in a unique opportunity for Australian and New Zealand referees.
This is a joint initiative between Basketball Australia, FIBA and the National Basketball League, who are working cooperatively and collaboratively on the training and development of referees and referee coaches. The training camps will focus on basketball refereeing philosophies, mechanics, techniques, conflict & conversation management and game control. They will also enhance the capabilities of referees at state levels as well as in SEABL, WNBL and NBL. Albert Joseph, NBL Senior Referee Manager and Peter Carey, Basketball Australia’s Officials Manager, jointly believe the clinics will be very beneficial for all referees. “We’re talking about a person who has practical hands-on experience, he has officiated at five Olympic Games,” said Joseph. “He has the mandate to provide guidance and advice on all of the referee education programs and the style of officiating.” As a constantly evolving sport, referees must always move with that growth which is another area that Jungebrand can assist in. “There is no doubt that basketball is becoming a very quick game, basketballers are becoming more innovative in their offensive and defensive structures,” said Joseph. “Similarly so, it’s important for referees to appreciate and understand these concepts and gain a more in-depth knowledge and interpretation of the rules and basketballing philosophies. “Additionally, referees will get a greater understanding of development pathways for them to go on and officiate at the national and international level.” With such a great benefit to Australian referees, Joseph anticipates that these type of clinics will continue in the future. “We need to be open and innovative in our approach to education. The byproduct of that is that we will have the most elite referees officiating the SEABL, WNBL and NBL. They will also reinvest back into the state programs. “This is our collective opportunity for Australia to make sure all our educational development training is aligned and we’re all working off one training doctrine. This is a very exciting time for Basketball Australia, FIBA and the NBL programs.” The training camps will begin on September 19 at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne before evening sessions are held for SEABL and Big V referees in Melbourne and SEABL and Waratah panel referees in Sydney.
