NAMIBIA ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL OFFICIALS

[NABO]

MISSION STATEMENT

“We are traveling”

Refereeing and table officiating award scheme

Competent qualified referees are an important requirement for quality Basketball games. It is important therefore, that a National refereeing awards scheme is created and recognized by the Federation in order to develop and accredit Basketball referees to National standards.

NABO will exist under the National Federation [NBF], and will be headed by officials appointed by the Federation. These officials will constantly run a developmental referee’s scheme recommended by NABO regulations.

All Basketball referees in the country will receive an award, which will be determined by their individual ability after being examined and found suitable, by NABO. Individual referees may upgrade their awards by constantly attempting examinations of higher levels.

All NABO referees will be issued with certificates of their respective levels and will receive NABO identity cards. Referees may be required to produce their identity cards at Basketball marches.

A NABO register will be maintained and updated by the NBF. A referee who does not renew his or her license for a period of over one-year may lose their license.

The NBF will approve referees fees every year and these will vary according to NABO qualifications of referees.

A referees license may be withheld by NABO and the referee suspended if that referee goes against the FIBA / NABO code of ethics.

All referees wishing to upgrade their status must apply by completing a NABO application form that can be obtained from the NBF office.

Referees accreditation Levels

01.	International referee	[FIBA qualified award]
02.	National referee	[Advanced award]
03.	Level one referee	[Intermediate award]
04.	Level two referee	[Preliminary award]
05.	Level three referee	[Apprentice award]

Membership application
Candidates wishing to become NABO members must complete a membership application form available at the NBF office. Such candidates must attend a level three [3] clinic and will be issued with a level three NABO certificate upon completion of the course. Upon completion of the course these candidates will receive NABO identity cards.

Examination
The Namibia Basketball Federation will appoint the National Examiners.

Exemptions
The Namibia Basketball Federation reserves the right to make all decisions regarding recognition of qualifications of other Federations, and may exempt candidates as it considers appropriates.

Syllabus

Apprentice [level three]

Admission requirements

1.	Open to anyone interested in officiating
2.	Qualified to officiate at school and recreational games
3.	The underlying philosophy of the course is to encourage the Basketball enthusiast to get onto the Basketball court and ‘blow the whistle’
4.	The course is a practical assessment of the candidate’s ability to officiate a game at a very basic level. A successful candidate will have experienced the skill criteria as set in the syllabus below.

Duration
Two sessions of three hours training. One unit deals with Officiating Technique while the second unit deals with Officiating Mechanics.

Syllabus
Candidates will have experienced the following skills and is familiar with specific officiating terminology.

Unit one: Officiating Technique

Positioning:

1.	Leading official
2.	Trailing official
3.	Active official
4.	Free official

Unit two: Officiating Mechanics

Calling violations

The candidate must be able to:

1.	Recognize a violation
2.	Stop the play
3.	Indicate the type of infringement
4.	Indicate the penalty
5.	Indicate the direction / method of re-starting play
6.	Make the ball available for play

Administration of specific situations

1.	The various levels types of fouls
2.	Jump ball situations
3.	Free throw administration
4.	Out of bounds situations

The course tutor throughout their training will assess the candidate.

Preliminary [level two]
Admission requirements

1.	A potential candidate will normally be required to officiate for at least one basketball season.
2.	A potential candidate must submit their refereeing portfolio to NABO.
3.	The acceptance of a candidate to attempt the Level two [2] Award is discretionary and will be determined by NABO and will be dependant upon:- Being assessed by NABO and receiving a report that indicates that the referee reaches an appropriate level of performance.
4.	The candidate at an appropriate time will be required to undergo an examination in:-
	(a) Oral
	(b) Fitness
	(c) Practical
	Should the candidate fail any part of the examination, they will be considered to have failed the level two-award examination or may be deferred at the discretion of NABO.

Courses
The candidate will be required to attend the National Officiating Conference or at least one of the One day referees clinics conducted by NABO.

Examination
Theory Assessment
Theory examinations will be held at the beginning of the season. This examination will be an oral examination. A candidate will be required to pass an oral examination to qualify to attempt the practical examination. However, discretion may be used by NABO.

Practical assessment
The practical assessment will be:

	(a)	Continuous
	(b)	Practical officiating
	(c)	Fitness test

Intermediate [Level one]
Admission requirements

Candidates should have:

01.	A sound philosophy towards the game and be able to make a reasoned judgment based upon current interpretations of the rules.
02.	Thorough knowledge of the rules of basketball, and competent application of these rules.
03.	Thorough knowledge of the mechanics of officiating.
04.	The ability to apply all signals.
05.	Working knowledge of the recognized method of scoring, time-keeping and the operation of the 30 second equipment.

The syllabus for this Award is divided into two sections:

(a)	Section one includes, Mechanics, Philosophy, preparation, Technical foul, Contact situations.
(b)	Section two includes, Management of players / coaches, fitness, rules [all aspects covered in other units]. This section will include a practical officiating section in which two teams will play and the candidate will be expected to officiate. The referees must officiate in pairs and act as table officials.

Examination:

01.	Referee Portfolio: A record of games refereed by the candidate must be stored in the portfolio. The portfolio will also record the following; Assessors comments, Club reports any other relevant comments.
02.	Fitness test: The candidates are expected to undertake a referee’s test currently used by FIBA.
03.	Practical assessment: The candidate will be assessed over five normal Basketball matches.
04.	Theory Examination: This award includes a theory written examination. The examination will cover sections on multiple choice, rules knowledge, Mechanics signals and philosophy.

National Award [Advanced level]
The National award will follow the exact pattern of the level one award. However in order for a candidate to be issued with this award, the Federation with the recommendation of NABO will accredit the referee only after successfully completing a level one course and having officiated to the satisfaction of a level one referee for at least one Basketball season. The candidate’s practical officiating assessment will be based on a total of at least ten games.

Qualification to National level will be issued based on a final recommendation of the National Technical Director of NBF after he is fully satisfied with the performance of the candidate.

Only National referees may attempt FIBA awards for licensing as International referees.

Prepared on behalf of the Namibia Basketball Federation [NBF] and Namibia Association for Basketball Officials [NABO] by Charles Nyambe. FIBA certified referee.