GOLD COAST (Australia) - Yee Gnuik Tai Apeang, a promising referee from Tahiti, recently completed her Rising Whistle Scholarship in Australia, marking a significant milestone in her career.

This scholarship, awarded by FIBA Oceania, aims to nurture and develop young female referees from the region who are aspiring to achieve elite-level FIBA referee licences by 2027.

Reflecting on her experience, Tai shared, “My trip in Australia was very interesting, intense but also short. It was not easy the first day due to the language barrier, but I’m thankful because (Sutherland) Shark’s team was so kind and friendly, feeling like I was at home.”

During her time in Australia, Tai officiated various games, including friendly matches, the Waratah Youth League (women), and one game for the NBL1 (women). Each game provided her with valuable insights and learning opportunities.

“Each of them (referee mentors) was instructive. I learnt a lot from Nico (Nicolas Fernandes). After each game, we came back, and had a briefing, and he coached me to elevate my refereeing,” she explained.

Nicolas Fernandes, an active FIBA referee who mentored Tai, commented on her rapid rise.

“Tai’s journey as a basketball referee began just two years ago,” he said. “Her natural talent and dedication quickly became evident, earning her a place at the Pacific Games. It was there that she caught the eye of FIBA Oceania officials and suggested her attendance into the program.”

The scholarship brought Tai to Sydney for an intensive week-long program, where she received mentorship from Nicolas Fernandes and a team of experienced referee development managers, including Logan Bilby from Sydney Comets, Albert Joseph, FIBA Oceania Referee Manager, Thomas Marsh from Sutherland Sharks, and Helen Rosenberg from Sydney Comets.

Tai’s week in Sydney was filled with rigorous training and valuable experiences on and off the court. She started with conditioning and learning 3PO mechanics, followed by video reviews and officiating 2PO games. Her training included call selection, whistle technique, and court movement, culminating in officiating high-level games like the Waratah League and NBL1 women’s matches. Each day was designed to enhance her skills, with feedback and mentorship from experienced referees, leading to significant improvements in her officiating abilities by the end of the week.

Throughout the week, Tai’s progress was evident to all involved. By the final game on Sunday, she demonstrated significant improvement in patience, positioning, quick transitions, game control, and rotation coverage.

FIBA Oceania extends its gratitude to the referee instructors who made this program possible: Logan Bilby, Kevin Marsh, Thomas Marsh, Helen Rosenberg, and Albert Joseph. Special thanks also go to the Sutherland Sharks Club, particularly Michael Bills, for their support. The program’s success was further enhanced by the warm welcome Tai received from local referees throughout the week.

As Tai returns to Tahiti, she carries with her a wealth of new knowledge and experiences. Her journey from a novice referee to participating in this high-level program in just two years is a testament to her talent and dedication.

The basketball community in Oceania eagerly anticipates Tai’s continued growth and the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on the sport in her home country and beyond.

The Rising Whistle Scholarship Program is a significant step towards gender equality in basketball officiating within FIBA - Oceania. By empowering aspiring female referees, the program paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse officiating pool at the elite level.

FIBA