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White to conduct refresher referee clinic next month
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Posted on Jul 22 2005
The opportunity to sharpen referees skills is fast approaching, as the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands will be hosting a two-day refresher course shortly after the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games next month.
The course will be conducted by certified Level III referee Gabriel White, who said Monday that the clinic will be open to anyone interested, especially certified referees.
White, who earlier in the year participated in the FIBA Recycling Referee Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand, said even though participants will not be certified, they will get a chance to update their knowledge and understanding of the game, as well as improve mechanics and fitness level.
“We’re going to cover everything discussed in New Zealand, and just going to update everyone else about what’s been going on with basketball in the region,” he said. “Hopefully, the referees are up to the challenge.”
White reiterated that there is a need for more referees to call games, especially with the sport exploding in popularity in the Commonwealth.
“There is a need for referees…it’s a tough job,” he said. “You got to have a big heart for it and you got to be able to manage a game and the integrity of the game properly and how the rules apply to it.”
White also stressed that high school students are also invited to the clinic, adding that many teens play basketball and that getting an understanding of the game from a referees point of view will only benefit the player.
“It’s something that would be useful especially for your own personal game too,” he said. “This will be an introduction for them and it’s also a chance to encourage them to better their skills and better their understanding of the game.”
“Basketball is not all about going to a coach or going on a team and picking up a ball and dribbling and shooting baskets. There’s more to it and if you understand it through a referee’s standpoint, it will broaden your overall perspective of the game, and may even change the way you play. It definitely changed mine,” he added.
