Thirty eight referees from across Europe attended the latest Candidate Clinic for FIBA Referees, held in Bologna, Italy, 20-24 May 2010.

Organised in conjunction with the Italian Federation and the local basketball federation in Bologna, the referee candidates were put through their paces by FIBA Europe Instructors and former FIBA referees Richard Stokes and Reuven Virovnik.

All candidates officiated at locally organised games and undertook a series of tests, in order to progress to the next stage of their qualification in 2011.

According to Stokes the standard of officiating by the candidates has improved over the last few years. He believes that part of the reason for the jump in quality is the support FIBA Europe is giving the national instructors each year at the instructors' clinics.

"It is clear from the reports we receive that many federations have specific programmes to support the groups of possible candidates," added Stokes. "The fitness of the referees is also improving along with their knowledge of the game."

The clinic also included lectures in high level officiating, mechanics, criteria and game management. In addition to the fitness test a Rules and English language tests are also obligatory.

The next stage will be held during a high level tournament in the spring of 2011. The Albert Schweitzer Tournament which is held bi-annually in Mannheim, Germany was the testing ground for the class of 2010.

The 35 successful candidates who will go on to the second stage are: