As the Winter domestic and representative seasons come to a close, we’re excited to celebrate the incredible efforts and achievements of our refereeing team. From milestone games to major finals appointments, our referees have continued to make us proud both on and off the court.
🌟 Winter Season Highlights
This Winter season was unique as we temporarily moved away from our home at Bardia Avenue while it undergoes an exciting upgrade. Bardia Avenue’s close proximity to public transport has always been vital in supporting our referees, particularly as many are under the age of 18. Relocating away from this convenience posed challenges, but our referees showed incredible adaptability and professionalism, ensuring competitions continued to run seamlessly. Their ability to adjust and remain committed under these circumstances is truly commendable.
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On Saturday, 20th September, we wrapped up the Winter Grand Finals in what was an action-packed day of basketball. A big thank you to every referee involved for making it a success.
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We were thrilled to welcome 40 new Green Shirt referees into our program – the next generation of officials beginning their journey.
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On top of that, 12 referees achieved their B Grade accreditation – a huge step in their development and a testament to their hard work.
👏 Celebrating Our Senior Representatives
Our senior referees have set the bar high this year with outstanding appointments and career milestones:
Liz Baldwin
- Reached an amazing 150 Big V games – Congratulations Liz!
- Appointed as the Emergency Referee for the Division Two Women’s Big V Grand Final.
Josh Swaine
- Also hit the impressive milestone! 250 Big V games – a huge effort.
- Took the floor for the Preliminary Finals of the VYCM, the state’s premier competition for players under 23.
Caroline Searle
- In her role as Referee Coach, was appointed to some of the biggest games, including:
- NBL1 South Women’s Semi Final
- Big V Championship Men’s Grand Final
Gabriel Gallego
- In just his first year on the Junior Panel, Gabriel earned appointment to the U12 Boys VC Reserve Grand Final – a fantastic recognition of his progress.
💙 A Message of Thanks
On behalf of the FDBA, we congratulate all of our referees for their commitment, professionalism, and passion this season. You are an essential part of our basketball community, and we are extremely proud of what you’ve achieved.
Here’s to an even bigger and better Summer Season ahead!