Several Australian referees have been rewarded with inclusions in upcoming FIBA international tournaments this year.
Matthew Beattie and Matthew Townsend will head to the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in July which will be held in Cairo, Egypt. FIBA credited since 2009, Beattie has officiated over 200 NBL games and has already refereed at junior European Championships while previously, he attended the Under-19 Women’s World Championships in 2011. “Being nominated for this event means a lot,” Beattie told Basketball NSW. “To be recognised in the same company as some very talented officials from across the world is very satisfying. I will be working hard over the next two months to get my body ‘tournament ready’”. Townsend has adjudicated over 200 NBL games while his international experience includes the Stankovic Cup, Under-17 Oceania Championships and several Australian friendlies. “I am ecstatic to have been selected,” Townsend told Basketball NSW. “It is an honour to represent the Australian refereeing fraternity and I am looking forward to what will be an exciting experience.” Later that month, from July 22-30, the FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup will be held in Italy. Sarah Carey will officiate that tournament which the Australian Gems will also be attending as they aim to improve on their past two bronze medals and repeat their gold medal success from 1993. After earning her FIBA license in 2015, Carey previously umpired the 2015 World University Games, 2016 Under-17 World Championships as well as refereeing 150 SEABL games (including two national men’s finals) and the 50+ WNBL games including the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Grand Final series. Following those tournaments, the 29th Summer Universiade will be held from August 19-30 this year. James Boyer, an NBL and WNBL referee, will be headed to Taipei after previously refereeing the 2015 Under-20 Men’s Championship in Italy. “I am very humbled by this nomination and am excited to represent my state and country on the international stage,” Boyer said to Basketball NSW. Alongside Boyer will be Jon Chapman who will be attending his third FIBA event after refereeing at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-16 World Championships and 2016 Oceania Under-19 qualifying tournament. The SEABL Referee of the Year in 2015 and 2016, Chapman has extensive knowledge of the Australian basketball landscape with almost 300 games across the NBL, WNBL and SEABL. “These appointments are fantastic recognition of the dedicated work of our referees who have once again proven they are world-class quality,” said Paul Maley, General Manager of Competitions at Basketball Australia. “It is also a testament to the strength of our top level competitions which play such a vital role in ensuring the continued growth and development of Australian referees.”
