The FIBA Europe Referees Department has continued to support the development of all officials across Europe.

The last month has seen clinics take place in Sweden and in Russia with the aim of improving officiating at all levels.

By day, Oscar Lefwerth (pictured right) co-ordinates coaches and buses around Stockholm, but by night he gets screamed at by coaches and players not content with his decisions as a top-class referee.

It is a tough life, but not one he would change for the world.

Following the Instructor clinics held in Gran Canaria earlier this summer, FIBA Europe's Referee Department has now distributed its new teaching materials for referees to all 51 federations.

These materials include 3 DVD's and 3 CD's covering:

FIBA Europe and the Russian Basketball Federation have conducted their first joint seminar for national basketball referees.

Seminars have been organised in 7 Russian Federal districts, Moscow and Khimki (Central federal district), St. Petersburg (Northwestern federal district), Kazan (Volga federal district), Rostov-on-Don (Southern federal district), Yekaterinburg (Ural federal district), Vladivostok (Far East Federal district). 

FIBA Europe's Referee Department started its 2006 Clinics for National Referee Instructors and it's Potential Group of Referees in Gran Canaria, Spain this week.

Two clinics will be held for around 50 instructors, each of whom are responsible for the training and development of referees in their respective countries.

26 International Referee Candidates and 10 International Commissioner candidates from 23 countries travelled to Bulgaria recently to try to attempt to gain their International FIBA licences.

The clinic, organised in the City University of Pravetz, was led by FIBA Europe Referee Co-ordinator Miguel Betancor.