MIES (Switzerland) – The first edition of the FIBA Global Referee Camp kicked off yesterday in Debrecen, Hungary, coinciding with the Basketball Champions League Youth Tournament.

As part of FIBA Referee Operations’ Monday Special Webinar series, FIBA's Head of Refereeing, Mr. Carl Jungebrand, and camp instructors Mr. Joseph Crawford, Mr. Roberto Chiari, Mr. Albert Joseph, and Mr. Michael Thomson engaged in discussions with host Ms. Greydy Diaz about the upcoming camp and its potential impact on the development of younger referees.

Mr. Jungebrand noted that this marks the first time FIBA Referee Operations has organized a global camp in Europe, bringing together top referee instructors from both FIBA and the NBA to foster growth. He emphasized the importance of exchanging thoughts and expertise, highlighting that the ultimate beneficiary would be the game itself.

Mr. Crawford, a former NBA referee turned instructor, underlined the eagerness of everyone involved to learn and contribute. Drawing from his experience officiating challenging games, he expressed his desire to impart valuable insights gained from those experiences.

Mr. Joseph underscored the collaboration's significance in striving for the highest level of education and training for referees, emphasizing the importance of spreading this wealth of knowledge among officials.

Mr. Thomson expressed his excitement for the six-day tournament, emphasizing the invaluable opportunity for immersion and practice it presents for referees, addressing a significant weakness in refereeing development.

Mr. Chiari said he focuses on maximizing the learning experience for the 18 participating referees during the tournament. He mentioned the importance of instructors growing alongside referees, all for the betterment of basketball.

The Monday Special Webinar recording is now available in the iRef Library App, providing a valuable resource for referees seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
 

FIBA