about Referee training
Like all IHBS programs, participants in referee training programs are subject to our Policies, including the Gender Inclusion Policy*.
IHBS offers a 3X3 Officiating Clinic at least once annually. People who complete the 3X3 Officiating Clinic are eligible to register with the Victoria Basketball Officials Association ("VBOA") to be assigned to officiate games in the following season of our Sunday 3X3 League, where referees are paid $90 per night. Officiating is traditionally a male-dominated field, and our priority with this program is to provide people outside that demographic with a welcoming place to learn.
The 3X3 Officiating Clinic is beginner-friendly, but we recommend attendees have some general experience with basketball (playing, coaching, or watching regularly). It may be tricky to keep up if you don't yet know what a double-dribble or screen is. Attendees are NOT required to have any prior experience refereeing or officiating basketball.
This program benefits participants by:
IHBS offers a 3X3 Officiating Clinic at least once annually. People who complete the 3X3 Officiating Clinic are eligible to register with the Victoria Basketball Officials Association ("VBOA") to be assigned to officiate games in the following season of our Sunday 3X3 League, where referees are paid $90 per night. Officiating is traditionally a male-dominated field, and our priority with this program is to provide people outside that demographic with a welcoming place to learn.
The 3X3 Officiating Clinic is beginner-friendly, but we recommend attendees have some general experience with basketball (playing, coaching, or watching regularly). It may be tricky to keep up if you don't yet know what a double-dribble or screen is. Attendees are NOT required to have any prior experience refereeing or officiating basketball.
This program benefits participants by:
- providing them with income-generating skills,
- teaching them a new way to understand and view a basketball game, and
- providing institutional support in a field that is historically unwelcoming to women and genderqueer people.
This program benefits IHBS by:
- providing quality officiating for Sunday 3X3 League, and
- building relationships in the community (many participants in our program have chosen to pursue further official training and employment opportunities in the community with the VBOA).
Important Note: This clinic focuses on officiating the 3X3 game format, and as such, does not equip participants to officiate full-court club or high school basketball; that training is provided by the VBOA. Participants who enjoy this 3X3 Officiating Clinic and officiating our programs, and who want to take their skills to the next level (e.g. learn 5v5 officiating to referee youth night league or local high school basketball games), will be introduced to contacts at the VBOA and supported by IHBS in that pursuit. VBOA does not have a website or online presence; please contact us if you wish to be connected with them.
who can attend
All people who:
* As part of our mission to provide basketball opportunities for women and genderqueer people, we prioritize assigning women and genderqueer officials to our programs. If there are not enough game officials in this demographic available at any scheduled game nights, then game officials outside of this demographic who have successfully completed a 3X3 Officiating Clinic will be offered assignments to Sunday 3X3 League.
- are aged 18+, and
- are at least somewhat familiar with the rules and structure of basketball
* As part of our mission to provide basketball opportunities for women and genderqueer people, we prioritize assigning women and genderqueer officials to our programs. If there are not enough game officials in this demographic available at any scheduled game nights, then game officials outside of this demographic who have successfully completed a 3X3 Officiating Clinic will be offered assignments to Sunday 3X3 League.
what to bring
- Water bottle
- Packed lunch and snacks
- Basketball shoes or court shoes (you will be moving around the gym!)
- Comfortable clothes
- Notepad and pen, if you'd like to take notes
- Officiating-calibre whistle e.g. Fox40, if you already have one.
what ihbs provides
- Fox40 officiating whistle, for you to keep, if you do not already have one.
- Classroom and gymnasium facilities
- Experienced workshop facilitator