MANISA (Turkiye) - The Youth-BCL international tournament in Manisa, Türkiye, is currently hosting more than just thrilling youth basketball. For the second year, the event provides the backdrop for the FIBA Global Referee Camp (April 22-27, 2025), a crucial development platform for 18 FIBA referees hailing from 16 different nations. We spoke with three participants about their experiences.

Ritvars Helmsteins from Latvia highlighted the camp's unique learning environment. His favorite aspect is the active role referees play in their own development. "Instructors are showing only the direction... but the outcome is coming from the referee's side," he explained, emphasizing the value of sharing knowledge amongst peers. For Helmsteins, the best part of working internationally is seeing diverse perspectives on reading the game and collaborating effectively despite cultural differences. His main takeaway focuses not just on decisions made, but crucially on understanding how those decisions were reached – analyzing the process and tools used.

Orlando Varela from Honduras echoed the value of cross-cultural interaction, calling it an "enriching experience" to learn about different customs and traditions. Technically, he values the deep dives into video breakdown, understanding exactly what instructors look for and how to improve. Refereeing the Youth-BCL games and reviewing them provides a deeper understanding of game dynamics and techniques. Looking ahead, Varela aims to cultivate patience and adapt to the ever-increasing speed of modern basketball, believing these skills are key to improving his judgment and becoming a better referee.

Yijie Gao from China described the international collaboration as a "warm and enriching experience," noting how quickly referees connected and supported each other, even resolving "long-standing officiating questions" through brief exchanges. While finding all activities valuable, he particularly liked the post-game review sessions. These detailed analyses provided crucial clarity, helping him improve court coverage during transitions – a specific challenge he faced. Yijie is eager to continue learning, especially aspiring to gain wisdom from experienced Olympic referees to enhance his skills and poise under pressure.

These referees, though from different corners of the globe, share a common appreciation for the camp's blend of cross-cultural exchange and focused technical development, particularly through game analysis. The experience is clearly providing invaluable tools and perspectives as they advance in their refereeing careers.