The best job for a high school student: Basketball officiating

When high school students think about being involved in basketball, it’s usually as an athlete. When varsity ballers hang up their sneakers at the end of their playing careers, they might consider coaching as a way of staying involved in the game. Few consider another important option that not only supports our sport, but also provides the opportunity to get paid: Becoming a basketball referee.

A group of 27 basketball athletes and fans came together to learn this new aspect of the game at Ontario Basketball’s 2018 Ontario Summer Development Program (OSDP) U12 camp at Georgian College in Barrie. Between July 15–21, they spent time in the classroom and on the court learning the basics of refereeing from experienced officials in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA), Ontario University Athletics (OUA), and Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA). Over the course of the camp, they had the chance to put theory into practice, first by refereeing half-court 3-on-3 games, then 4-on-4 games, and, finally, 5-on-5 games on the last day of camp.

The majority of the participants were in high school, played club basketball, and had no previous officiating experience. By the end of camp, most participants felt confident in their knowledge and skills and planned to begin refereeing in the fall with their local officiating boards. As one participant put it, “Basketball officiating is the best job I can imagine for a high school student!”

Want to give refereeing a try? Contact your local officiating board to #GrabAWhistle and get involved.

If you have a group that you would like to get trained in Ontario Basketball’s Introduction to Officiating course, contact Lindsay Walsh, Ontario Basketball’s Director of Basketball Development.