Referees Forum

The EDJBA’s inaugural Referees Forum was held last Monday night and a successful turnout totalling 40 people attended.  The EDJBA is very grateful to Steve Chadd, Anthony O’Brien and Lexie Lattanzio who were invaluable on the night for guidance and expert information.

Steve Chadd highlighted what he considered are the most important aspects for referees in basketball and they are the 3 R’s (Retention, Recognition and Recruitment).  Retention was the area discussed most at this Forum and it was agreed that clubs rarely have a problem filling their referee beginners’ schools however always struggle in keeping those referees in the system long-term. 

The number one reason for losing referees was identified as ABUSE. One-off incidents were not considered a huge contributing factor but rather the constant negativity that emanates from players, coaches and spectators.

Identifying this issue didn’t take too much effort and it is important to note that of the 20 major concerns presented by the clubs – Educating and Enforcing the Code of Conduct to Protect Referees was voted as the most important. 

The EDJBA recognizes this and has identified the need for a strong education process for all involved in the association to improve the esteem and respect referees should be held in.  We are the largest junior domestic Associations in Australia and we have an opportunity to raise the bar so much higher together. 

An area considered as very important was the implementation of an EDJBA Referee Sub-Committee to assist with Consistency between clubs for rule implementation, rule interpretation and general refereeing standards. 

The forum spent time brainstorming on how to improve:

• Education / Marketing and Enforcement of the Code of Conduct eg. A Combined Coach & Referee Education Workshop to help bridge the gap between the two parties
• Improved training techniques
• Skills to assist referees in protecting themselves ie. Conflict Resolution Workshops
• Consistent grading of referees
• Minimum requirements for Venue Supervisors

The outcome of the forum was a decision to concentrate on how to achieve the above points.  There will be many on-going conversations which will act as important communication tools and the first step will be asking the EDJBA Executive for permission to form the Referees Sub-Committee. 

If this initiative is successful it will provide a structure to help implement the improvements in the areas of concern.

Our initial goal for the Forum was to bring the clubs together to develop a shared understanding and a shared vision for the support and betterment of our referees. The desire for the clubs to want an EDJBA Referee Sub-Committee proves their willingness and commitment to support our referees which in-turn highlights the success of the Forum in achieving its goal.

One of the very real outcomes of the Forum should be the opportunity for the smaller clubs to tap into the resources and knowledge of the larger clubs.  These are two of the benefits that can flow from regular meetings of clubs and this should be reflected in future meetings similar to the Referees Forum but with other agendas such as the Grading Forum.

The Executive’s thanks go to Jo Chu for taking on the convening of this meeting and mine go to her for providing the bulk of this update.

Until next week,

Happy Hoops

Ron Carlton

President