FIBA Europe has seen many innovations in the past 2 years with regards to the education and communication with its referees.

From the launch of the FIBA Europe refereeing web site to the presence of referee instructors at all official events, everything is geared towards improving the quality of officiating in international competition.

		The use of computer technology is a cornerstone of the referee education programme

One of the web site’s primary functions is to inform referees of which games they have been nominated to officiate. Referees are able to discuss any common issues via the forums and web mail.

In addition to communication, the web site is a valuable educational tool and enables referee instructors to teach officials via online video analysis.

With the referee web site up and running, FIBA Europe Coordinator Miguel Betancor has shifted the focus towards the game’s up-and-coming officials.

“Basketball is constantly evolving and improving,” says Betancor.

It is important that the level of officiating stays consistent with the level of play. A major part of that is finding a new generation of referees who have the skills to perform at the highest level.”

In 2005 the first ever FIBA Europe clinic for young referees with potential will be held.

“We have targeted 50 young FIBA referees who we think have the talent to become the best in Europe,” said Betancor.

Each of the 50 referee has been partnered with referee instructors during European club competition games and they will be invited to a special clinic in Gran Canaria.

The clinic will last for 3 days and the referees will attend seminars on different aspects of officiating, combined with practice games.”

In order for young referees to improve, they need to have good teachers, and this is an area which will not be neglected by Betancor.

As well as working with the up-and-comers, a project will be launched to work with all of FIBA Europe’s Referee Instructors.

The project will take place over a 2-year period, beginning with a 3 day meeting in Gran Canaria, at which a team of instructors will be formed. It will continue through communication via the referee web site and attendance at international competitions.

“This project is to develop what we like to call referee ‘coaching’,” says Betancor.

That means that the instructors form a relationship with the referees based on trust and confidence. The role of the instructor is not to simply tell the referee what to do, but to support, motivate and encourage each referee to continually improve.”