Basketball referees needed

GUELPH – The game of basketball at all levels continues to boom across Ontario as well as all of Canada.  

As a result, the need for referees is also expanding rapidly in Guelph as well as in Wellington and Dufferin Counties.

Once again the Guelph Board of Approved Basketball Officials (GBABO), which covers all of Wellington and Dufferin counties, is searching for ‘new’ basketball officials for the upcoming 2022/23 season that commences in September.

Experience is not required as a training program is in place. This On-court Training Program is tutored by experienced officials in conjunction with regularly scheduled meetings for all referees.  Practical training is the focus.

Learning opportunities, equipment, rule books, expectations and other important areas are all fully covered in the sessions.

The GBABO usually covers over 2,000 games, many of them in North and Central Wellington and in Dufferin as well as in Guelph, so there is lots of opportunity to be involved.  

Several referees have retired from the GBABO due to age or employment transfers.  We cover games from university through high school/rep to house league and everything in between. 

Players, coaches, fans, former referees, interested spectators, university/college students, etc. are all welcome. The only requirement is candidates must be at least 14 years of age and be enthusiastic about learning the referee side of the game of basketball.

There are many reasons to give this a try:  develop lifelong friendships, enjoyable social aspects, earn money, stay close to the game you love, opportunities for advancement, remaining active, learn to manage people, satisfying challenges, a sense of accomplishment and participating in your community.

The first meeting of the season occurs on September 12 at 7pm at Our Lady of Lourdes High School on Westmount road, Guelph

If interested, or for more information, call Rusty Lovelock at 519 821-3013, or email him at rusto@rogers.com.