The annual meeting of Potential Referees and National Instructors from the 51 FIBA Europe Federations got underway last week with a different twist.

This year, more national referees have been allowed to participate in an effort to prepare future referees for national as well as international competitions.

Also attending is former NBA referee Tommy Nunez.  Nunez has a long-standing friendship with FIBA Europe Referee Co-ordinator Miguel Betancor and was only too happy to speak to the referees and instructors at this years clinic.

As a referee and also as an observer in the NBA, he has been on hand to advise both groups at the clinic.

With over 50 referees and instructors attending the first week the workload is heavy and included group discussion on many aspects of the rules and interpretations to ensure that there is a consistent approach in both teaching and application for the forthcoming season.

Betancor commented: "50% of the referees in the EuroBasket Women 2009 have come through this programme, and as we saw in Latvia, the officiating was of a very good standard with no problems in the games.

"In fact, this is one of the most successful tournaments that we have had with regard to the work of the referees. It is therefore clear, that these clinics are an integral part of preparing our future officials for the high level competitions on the European, and hopefully the World stage.

"The work here is important, but so is the instructors and referees confidence in what we teach and provide. We can always improve, but we are on the right track with this project within the Referee Department of FIBA Europe."