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Bill Crowley (president of CABO) recently travelled to Newfoundland/Labrador for their annual Superclinic. While there the NABO officials brought in a "specialist", Mr Bert Peddle, to "screech Bill in" as an official Newfoundlander.
The clinic was held in Gander, and officials attended from all around the Province. Bill would like to offer his special thanks to Jamey Jennings, Scott Critch, John Walsh, and Jim Walsh for living up to the world renowned reputation of being the best hosts on the Earth. Bill indicates really had a "great time", one that he will never forget. (picture:Bill Crowley & Jamey Jennings @ SuperClinic)
The pictures displayed are from Bill's 'screech-in'. The following article was printed in the local newspaper after the Superclinic: By KEVIN HIGGINS The Beacon
They may be the most under-appreciated part of any sport, but they keep trying to do their best, and in order to do this they must stay sharp and up-to-date on the rules. They, of course, are the officials. And the Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials (NABO) tried to assist this process last weekend in Gander.
The association, under the leadership of president Jamey Jennings of Gander, hosted a Hoopfest Junior High School Basketball Tournament for boys' and girls' teams to allow its new and veteran officials to receive feedback during games from an evaluation committee, as well as classroom sessions with one of Canada’s top officials Bill Crowley of British Columbia.
Crowley is not only one of the top-rated officials in Canada with his International Basketball Federation (FIBA) card, he is also the president of the Canadian Association of Basketball Officials (CABO), and regularly officiates college hoops in the United States' NCAA division 1 and 2 categories.
For Crowley, he said his first trip as president of CABO to Canada's most easterly province was an opportunity not only to assist in the development of new and veteran officials, but also bring a sense of belonging to the provincial body. “As a national association, we're trying to get everyone using a common set of rules and mechanics, and it's great that Newfoundland and Labrador has come on board with us in this regard,” said Crowley, referring to the provincial association decision to adopt NCAA rules over the previously used FIBA rules this year, leaving only two provinces using the FIBA rules.“And combining a visit from me with a tournament to develop and evaluate officials is a fabulous initiative.”
Not entirely new
Meanwhile, Jennings said that such an event isn't something completely new to the area, as the Central Newfoundland Association of Basketball Officials annually hosts its Buddy Ball Tournament with the same goal in mind, but this one is of greater importance.
"With the new rules and mechanics being adopted, the NABO thought it should piggyback on the local association's idea and make it a bigger event in terms of officials' development and evaluation," said Jennings, adding that 55 of the province's registered basketball officials were in town for the event. "Things just got even better when Bill agreed to visit.
I think the last time something like this was done was in 1984, so, to say the least, it was well overdue." As for the future, Jennings said the provincial association is going to look at the idea of having its other two branches (western and eastern) in the province host events similar to the CNABO’s Buddy Ball Tournament, and possibly every two or three years do a provincial campaign comparable to this year’s in Gander.
Crowley said that such an officials' blitz, as well as his visit, was not a matter of the province lacking behind in quality or commitment, but instead is a good opportunity for the officials to get together as a group and stay up-to-date on the rules and receive constructive feedback on how they officiate.
"Newfoundland and Labrador is the second smallest in terms of registered officials in the country, but it comes second to none in the effort and commitment of its officials," said Crowley.
"The challenge for further developing these officials is exposure and the cost and time for travel to higher calibre events.
There's just less opportunity for officials to develop than say ones in Ontario, but that's not to say the potential isn’t there for some of the officials in the province."
Crowley cited one example as being Lakewood Academy teacher Scott Critch, who is in the process of obtaining his FIBA card. "Scott is leading a new breed of officials from this province making a name for themselves outside of the province," said Crowley. "And that’s a good sign for basketball officiating in this province. "The provincial association is certainly a strong one here, and it's in no small part due to the people running it and those actually officiating games."
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