NSBO Work Plan
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Objectives for 2023/24 Season
1. Organize regional clinics to include FIBA rules, interpretations, mechanics, IOT’s, conflict resolution, sensitivity training and fan abuse 2. Continue working with BNS on alignment to establish the framework of the Provincial Basketball Officials’ Commission 3. Complete all contract negotiations with clients and submit a new rate sheet for approval 4. Identify officials for the High-Performance List 5. Meet with Executive Director of Basketball Nova Scotia to identify funding opportunities to assist NSBO with shared objectives 6. Share all information received from CBOC in a timely fashion 7. Identify and submit names for SSNS Championships 8. Promote the Caulfield Camp of Excellent 9. Assist officials in being fully compliant with “Individual Officiating Techniques” 10. Continue collecting a $25 Professional Development Fee from all basketball leagues being serviced by NSBO 11. Expand on NSBO’s Feel Safe/Fan Abuse Policy 12. Review the certification pathway for all officials to ensure we follow CBOC’s policies 13. Implement Gender Equity Project Recommendations 14. Promote the BNS Safe Sports training within NSBO. 15. Assign an all-female officiating crew to the Division I Girls Championships
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Objectives |
Action By |
Status
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| Provincial Interpreter
Completed
| Clinics were offered to all areas (some virtual/some in person). FIBA exam date was December 1st, 2023. A refresher exam was made available. Any member who did not take the CBOC exam had access to an Area Exam through their Area Supervisor.
All clinics emphasized the calling of all rough play fouls to ensure players’ safety. Clinics also covered the importance of using the proper terminology, and continued support and commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusivity. More information will be forthcoming from CBOC on this issue. |
| Core Executive
Ongoing | This continues to be a major priority of CBOC.
We have a positive relationship with the new Executive Director, Lori Lancaster. BNS has been very supportive of NSBO obtaining funding for various grants.
During the past year, NSBO has had numerous positive meetings with the Executive Director. NSBO will be sharing the Work Plan with BNS.
Both organizations have a shared objective to strengthen relationships to improve basketball throughout the province. BNS wants to establish a framework to eliminate NSBO officiating non-registered teams.
In the new year, BNS will be introducing Safe Sports Training to all stakeholders for compliance. |
| Provincial Supervisor
Completed | All contracts and rates have been negotiated and approved for this year. We have finalized a 3-year agreement with ACAA (starts 2023/26). The agreement includes 2 provincial evaluators at their championships. A new AUS play-off agreement was implemented.
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| Provincial Interpreter
Provincial Evaluator
Completed | The High-Performance list has been amended and a few new officials have been added. More discussion will take place at our AGM regarding this initiative.
Last year, we had approximately 28 officials on our High-Performance list. The officials identified need to advance through the NOCP, work high school 3 crew games and be assigned to the high school championships. Names can be added or deleted at any time. The High-Performance program is under the supervision of Roger Caulfield and Steven Clow. Area Supervisors will also be asked to identify officials for this list. |
| Core Executive
Ongoing | There are many opportunities to acquire funding; however, submissions must be comprehensive and meet specific criteria to ensure approval.
Last year, we received funding for the All-Female Basketball Clinic held in November. Additional money will be forthcoming this year. |
| Provincial Supervisor
President
Ongoing | The President participates in a monthly conference call with CBOC. Recently, some of the discussions focused on violence towards officials, recruitment of new officials, certification (NOCP clinics). They recently discussed the new registration process which CBOC wants to implement. CBOC will be announcing various volunteer positions for any interested officials.
The newsletter “Whistle Blast” provides ongoing updates on all current issues. Officials are encouraged to read the newsletter to remain current on all issues.
CBOC recently partnered with Memorial University and several other National Sport Organizations on a research study into Mental Health and well-being of officials. If interested, officials can complete a confidential survey provided through “gameplan”.
CBOC Annual General Meeting will take place on June 24th, 2024 (at 7:00 p.m. EDT). |
| Provincial Evaluator
Completed | The Championships were held from March 1-3 inclusively. The Selection Process went smoothly because of Chris Holland’s dedicated work. The tournaments were well officiated and no negative feedback was received.
Note: It’s important for all Referee/Coaches to complete evaluations on a timely basis. This documentation is required to advance officials through the Certification Program. |
| Secretary/ Treasurer
Provincial Interpreter
Completed
| The camp was held in July and was a success. The camp provided an opportunity for officials to receive evaluations as well as an opportunity to improve their performance and potential for advancement. The Provincial Evaluator and the Panel Commissioner will meet soon to discuss participants’ performance and possible advancement. |
| Provincial Supervisor
Provincial Interpreter/AUS Commissioner
Provincial Evaluator
Completed | This initiative was identified in last year’s Work Plan and several actions were taken to address the problem. It is important that we continue to work with all officials to meet the standards (specifically the officials to be selected for national championships). The Commissioner and Referee/Coaches will make this a priority in their evaluations.
Fitness, IOT’s and game calling are the main priorities for advancement.
The AUS Commissioner has provided updated documentation on all IOT’s and mechanics. |
| Core Executive
Completed | Last year was the first time we collected a Professional Development Fee. Although this initiative produced positive results, not all areas collected the fee.
We encourage all areas to submit a professional development initiative to use the money in their respective area.
Areas can charge a 5% fee for local tournaments. This fee would stay within the local area to be used at the discretion of the Area Supervisor. This fee is optional.
The Secretary/Treasurer will provide an overview of this initiative at our spring meeting. |
| Provincial Interpreter
Completed | Roger Caulfield, Education Officer, reviewed the policy and expanded on our existing Feel Safe/Fan Abuse Policy. The goal is to eliminate fan abuse and keep officials safe. The document is available on the NSBO website. It will also include the Fan Abuse Incident Report. This will be in the form of a link so we can maintain a record. The new document should be applied as written. This document will be reviewed in the spring.
This initiative will work side-by-side with BNS’ Safe Sports Training. |
| Provincial Evaluator
Secretary/ Treasurer
Ongoing | We want to progress officials in the most efficient and effective way. Officials want to know how to advance.
Presently, there is a lack of communication and knowledge on this subject. NSBO’s certification list does not coincide with CBOC’s list. During registration, Paul Hanson will work with Area Supervisors to validate the list.
Chris Holland will meet with Greg Parsons and Jennifer McKenzie to determine the best course of action to achieve this initiative.
NOTE: Last year, NSBO certified 18 Referee/Coaches.
Referee Development Pathway: NOCP Level 1 – community referee NOCP Level II – competitive referee NOCP Level III – provincial referee NOCP Level IV – national referee NOCP Level V – FIBA referee
CBOC reported a glitch in their game plan (in February). This resulted in many problems that had to be fixed between local boards and CBOC. |
| Core Executive
Laura MacPherson
Jen McKenzie
Ongoing | In July, Laura MacPherson shared an interim report with the Executive regarding the Mentorship Program. The report indicates the program continues to be a success. Laura acknowledged the program’s success was made possible through the support of NSBO and in partnership with BNS and Sports Nova Scotia.
Early last season, Laura presented the Gender Equity Project. The body of work completed by the Committee was comprehensive and clearly indicated the objectives and the actions required. Laura identified the initiatives taken over the past year. Our Executive strongly supported this initiative and remains committed. As a result, NSBO added a female representation as Member at Large (Lindsay Walsh). The Project document needs to be available on the NSBO website. We want to ensure NSBO promotes this initiative and demonstrates our support and complete transparency.
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| Executive
Ongoing | This is a compliance issue under the umbrella of Basketball Nova Scotia. BND Executive Director provided an information session to the NSBO Executive on this initiative. She explained all stakeholders (i.e. coaches and officials) will be required to complete the training. This is a screening and education policy and NSBO will need to comply. The new policy will require all officials to have a Criminal Profile Check.
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| Provincial Evaluator
Jen McKenzie
Completed | This initiative was discussed with the Gender Equity Committee and quickly implemented by NSBO. Chris Holland and Jen McKenzie did a tremendous job with the organizing and assigning of this tournament. This initiative was a huge success, and evaluations were completed for all participating officials. This special initiative was highlighted in CBOC’s newsletter.
The officials who participated in this historic tournament included: Jen Lloyd-MacKenzie Linday Walsh Tina Skeir Emily Lerette Janice King Paige Black Liyah Coles Christine Remm Laura Beth MacPherson Karla Yepez
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OTHER NSBO RELATED INITIATIVES
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New Member at Large Position | Core Executive | NSBO Core Executive has approved a second Member at Large position to be allocated to a female official. Congratulations to Lindsay Walsh on being selected for the position. |
3-Person Virtual Clinic | Provincial Interpreter
Secretary/ Treasurer | A virtual clinic was held on November 9th, 2023, for any NSBO official looking for information on 3-person officiating. |
FIBA 23/24 Exam |
Provincial Interpreter
Secretary/ Treasurer | The 2023-24 FIBA Rules Exam was completed as scheduled and statistics were reported in the recent CBOC newsletter. The best resources to find rules and interpretations are on the NSBO website, the “FIBA iRef” app, or Gameplanbasketball.ca.
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Budget | Secretary/ Treasurer
| The 23/24 budget was presented and approved at the AGM. No further follow-up is required.
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Rates | Provincial Supervisor | All rates were approved at the AGM and the updated document has been distributed to Area Supervisors. A review of rates was completed, and we are comparable to our neighboring provinces.
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Summer Natials | Selection Committee
| The Selection Committee identified several officials who met CBOC’s criteria for the Summer Nationals. A few officials declined to have their names on the submission list (for personal reasons). Here is the list of officials selected by CBOC:
U15 Female – Emily Lerette U17 Female -Travis MacIsaac & Tina Skeir U15 Male – Grant Hatcher
U15 Female - Referree/Coach Jennifer McKenzie
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Awards | Provincial Supervisor
Secretary/ Treasurer
Ongoing | Nominations to CBOC: Ritchie/Nicurity Scholarship – Dean Pan Wink Willox Award – Cliff Tye
NSBO Awards: Frank Baldwin Award – Ted Wallace Rod Shoveller Award – Dean Pan |
Dues and Insurance | Secretary/ Treasurer
Area Supervisors
| Registration fees will be collected the same as in previous years … the proposed CBOC has been delayed for this year ($95 per member to cover NSBO dues).
Our insurance coverage will remain the same as last year. Any issues related to this topic can be directed to Paul Hanson. |
Championship Assignments | Selection Committee | A new play-off agreement was implemented for the 23/24 season. The following officials represented Nova Scotia:
AUS Championships (8 officials) Paul Hanson * Brent Stocker * Stephen Clow * Brian States Jennifer McKenzie Lindsay Walsh Matt Boyle * Justin Rocchi (*officiated gold medal game)
Men’s USports Championships No assignment
Women’s USports Championships Justin Rocchi
Note: Jennifer McKenzie was selected by CBOC to attend training for FIBA Certification for Statisticians 2023-25. Jennifer was also identified as a Referee/Coach.
ACAA Championships, Holland College Stephen Clow* John Fitzgerald Shauna Poirier Mary Alice Butts Alternate - Ryan Maxwell
CCAA championships: Women – No assignments Men – Stephen Clow (gold medal game) |
Record Management | Area Supervisors | It is important for all officials and Area Supervisors to maintain officiating records on evaluations, assignments, etc. Advancement is based on development, certification, and performance. |
Game Incident Reports | Area Supervisors
Vice President
Provincial Evaluator | Last year, we were not as diligent in completing Incident reports as we needed to be. We experienced some problems related to BNS games and championships. Chris Holland will be discussing this issue with the BNS coordinator. It is imperative that we have all the relevant information so NSBO can take the appropriate corrective action. All officials are to address foul language and promote no swearing. |
Fitness Testing | Selection Committee | Fitness testing is being conducted at national tournaments and any official who receive a national assignment must be prepared to take and pass the fitness test. |
Provide training opportunities on 3x3 officiating | Matt Boyle | Matt Boyle is our resource on the 3x3 officiating. He provided some formal training last season and will be available to all areas interested in obtaining such training. |
Wheelchair basketball – Canada Games - 2027 | Members at Large
Brian States Lindsay Walsh | Presently, we have very few officials certified to officiate this event. Officials will need to be identified as well as training. More information needs to be collected to move this initiative forward. Truro Area Supervisor, Paul MacIsaac, is an excellent resource for this initiative and will provide regular updates. |
Updated August 18, 2024