Basketball Officials (CABO) have come together to create a national
officials certification program for all basketball officials across
Canada. Canada Basketball and CABO identified a need for a national
program and are currently well under way in developing the curriculum.
“The joint effort between Canada Basketball and CABO is a first of its kind under the Be One initiative and reflective of the commitment to unify and align our game and system across Canada while also being essential to further growing the game in Canada,” stated Canada Basketball Executive Director and CEO, Fred Nykamp. “This initiative, along with the implementation of FIBA rules, will further unite the basketball community and develop a more streamlined game. We have taken great pride in the abilities of our officials in the past, and this program will further improve the quality of officiating while also providing many new opportunities to everyone involved.”
Basketball is one of the few major sports in Canada that does not currently have an official’s development and certification program. This initiative is a very high priority to streamline officiating across Canada. In December of 2006, a National Officials Development Committee (NODC) was formed representing the Provincial organizations, FIBA, Canada Basketball, and CABO met in Toronto to explore the idea and start planning. They have since met in April and June of 2007 to further develop the curriculum and framework. The Level 1 certification has been developed and will be implemented in fall of 2008, and the development of level 2 is currently underway and schedule for implementation early 2009.
“We need to deliver the highest quality product that we can in a consistent and unified manner across Canada,” added CABO President, Don Cline. “We feel that with a national official certification program officiating will become standardized and the game will become stronger and this supports all of the Be One objectives for Canada Basketball and the entire basketball community.”
The NODC has used several models as examples for this program, mainly very successful structures from Australia and FIBA Europe. The main goal of the program is to bring greater alignment, unity, recognition, and consistency to basketball in Canada.
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Canada Basketball is a private, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to the growth of the sport in Canada. Just as important, Canada Basketball is focused on the development and preparation of Canada’s national teams for the Olympic; Pan American and FISU Games as well as the World Championships. The aspiration of Canada Basketball is to instill the pride, commitment, passion and respect that Canadians personify into the development of basketball across the country and internationally.
The schedule for 2007 Canadian National teams is as follows: Senior Men’s National Team- Pan-Am Games July 25-July 29, FIBA America’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Aug.22-Sept.2: Senior Women’s National Team- Pan-Am Games July 25-July 29, FIBA America’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Sept.23-Sept.27: Development National Team (Men and Women)- World University Games/Summer Universaide Aug.8-Aug.18: Young Women’s National Team- FIBA U21 World Championships June 29-July 8: Junior Men’s National Team- FIBA U19 World Championships July 12-July 22: Junior Women’s National Team- FIBA U19 World Championships July 26-Aug.5: Canadian Wheelchair Basketball- VISA Paralympic World Cup May 7-May 13, Rio ParaPan American Games Aug.12-Aug.19
For more information please contact:
Canada Basketball
Fred Nykamp
CEO and Executive Director
Tel: 416.614.8037 x 206
e-mail: fnykamp@basketball.ca
or
CABO
Don Cline
President
e-mail : cliner.ref@sympatico.ca