WELLINGTON - Basketball New Zealand in conjunction with FIBA conducted a national referee and instructors program workshop from the 10^th – 12^th of February, 2017. 

Referee Manager of the New Zealand National Basketball League, Peter Rodgers, and FIBA Referee Manager - Oceania, Albert Joseph led the 2-day program. Rodgers and Joseph worked with national level referees and instructors in preparation for the upcoming New Zealand National Basketball League season.

"This was a great opportunity for FIBA and Basketball New Zealand to join forces and deliver an elite training program for the national referees and referee instructors," commented Joseph.

The program covered a series of topics which included; referee control, presence, fitness, mechanics, on court positioning, communication, conflict resolution, identifying illegal contact and teamwork.

The material was presented with a combination of classroom setting theory and on court practical sessions. These referees got a rare opportunity to work one-on-one with Joseph.

FIBA's Joseph on court during the Basketball New Zealand referee workshop

"The dedication and commitment to training and development is very evident here in New Zealand," said Joseph. "The national referees and instructors are very eager to learn and take the next step, it was great for FIBA to be involved in this training. The referees, in particular, were very enthusiastic and attentive during the on-court sessions; eager to develop their skills and to improve with the national season around the corner."

"It was a great opportunity for New Zealand’s top referees on the NBL panel to hear directly from a FIBA representative about the latest thinking on how our game should be officiated," Rodgers added. "We have introduced some new, younger referees to this year’s panel, and it was very beneficial for them to hear what Alby had to say."

FIBA