Thessaloniki (GREECE) – The FIBA Referee Instructor Programme (FRIP) Level 1 recently tipped off in Thessaloniki, Greece, bringing together passionate people from across Europe. The opening day was dedicated entirely to the core principles of Teaching & Learning, with the whistle put aside to focus on how instructors can effectively transfer knowledge. Under the expert guidance of Simon Kirkland from Birmingham, UK, the sessions explored sophisticated learning deliveries, psychological engagement, and modern presentation techniques. 

The atmosphere in Thessaloniki was one of intense growth and shared purpose. For Milad Kadkhodaei of Austria, the experience was about an "upgrade." He noted that while the curriculum is demanding, the delivery remains engaging. "The program is hard, but we are learning a lot," Milad shared. "What I really enjoyed is the 'fun style' and the fact that we learn from each other just as much as we learn from the experts."

 

  

The shift from on-court referee to educator was a major theme for Laszlo Goda from Hungary. With two decades of experience on the court, Laszlo recognized that teaching newcomers requires more than just technical expertise. His primary takeaway focused on the educational environment itself: "I recognized how important it is to provide a good atmosphere and use great tools to maintain the focus of the learners." For Laszlo, expanding theoretical knowledge with practical, pedagogical tools is the key to developing the next generation of Hungarian referees.

Representing Germany, Dajana Rey highlighted the technical preparation required to lead a classroom. Driven by a desire to "give back" to the officiating community, Dajana found the focus on the VARK model (Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic) and group interaction to be transformative. She emphasized that the secret to high-level instruction often lies in clarity and preparation, noting that "planning a lesson is crucial" and the ultimate goal is to "keep it simple" to ensure maximum engagement.

By the end of this first day, the participants had shifted their perspective from "what" to teach to "how" to facilitate learning. Armed with new strategies to simplify complex concepts and maintain student engagement, these future instructors are now better equipped to return to their home federations and truly inspire the referees they lead.

 

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FIBA REFEREE INSTRUCTOR PROGRAMME (FRIP) is part of a FIBA Global Refereeing Structure strategy. FRIP is a qualification programme to ensure standard quality and trained skills among those who are actually working with the referees. Currently, there are over 200 FRIP Level 1 Qualified Referee Instructors.