NBL’s big plans to secure referees’ futures

The NBL currently has two full-time referees, but the league has set up a platform to ensure all officials can work in a full-time role.

The NBL has created a national partnership for referees, which will allow officials to work full-time in basketball.

The NBL announced the new collaboration with Basketball New South Wales, Basketball Victoria and Basketball South Australia to advance the development of referees across the league.

The joint venture between the NBL and the state associations allows referees to work full time in basketball as they pursue their careers as referees in the NBL.

Jacqui Dover (New South Wales), Ruben Woolcock (Victoria) and James Griguol (South Australia) are the first referees to be involved in the program, with all three of them becoming full-time employees with their respective state associations.

Jacqui Dover is the NBL’s first Indigenous female referee and recently made her debut in the league after progressing through the WNBL and QBL. Picture: Supplied.

Dover is the NBL’s first Indigenous female referee and recently made her debut in the league after progressing through the WNBL and QBL.

NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger says the league is determined to create a strong pathway for referees to succeed.

The league has been criticised for some time about the standard of officiating, and Loeliger wants to ensure the sport’s future with options for referees to be employed on a full-time basis unlike the AFL.

“We are committed to investing in the development of our referees and build their capability across the league,” Loeliger said.

“We currently have two full-time referees in Michael Aylen, and Vaughan Mayberry and we believe having Jacqui, James and Ruben also working full-time in basketball will only enhance their development.

“We will continue to invest in more of these opportunities so we can open new pathways for young referees to work in basketball full-time and take the professionalism of our referees to the next level.

“We are delighted to partner with all three state associations in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia to deliver this innovative program.”

Basketball New South Wales CEO Maria Nordstrom believes the referee’s program will inspire others to become involved in officiating.

The NBL currently has two full-time referees, but the league has set up a platform to ensure all officials can work in a full-time role. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images.

Nordstrom praised Dover for becoming the face of the referee ranks in NSW following her rise through the WNBL, and last week, the NBL ranks.

“We are delighted to support this initiative and have Jacqui in our team here in NSW as well as being able to pursue her referee career with the NBL and WNBL,” Nordstrom said.

“Jacqui is our Program Manager for Indigenous and multicultural participation and she leads our Development Officers in the regions and Western Sydney in breaking down barriers to participation and engaging new kids into our sport and pathways.

“These programs are supported by the NSW State Government and form part of the Legacy Programs for the FIBA Women‘s World Cup 2022.”