NATIONWIDE CAMP RETURNS FOR ELITE DEVELOPMENT OF ASPIRING OFFICIALS

The Nationwide Referees Camp is a residential camp that takes place in conjunction with Red Star Basketball Camp UK. Our camp staff have huge experience in training and developing referees at all levels from local league up to national league and beyond at the international elite level.

The camp offers a wide-ranging programme, delivered via lectures, workshops and on-court scenarios with some of the best young talented players in the UK. All referees officiate camp games each day and receive immediate feedback to aid their learning and development to reach their goals. The Camp also supports Basketball England's objective to develop officials and identify talent who can improve their craft as officials. This year's referees camp will include instructors with experience over many years working at the highest level. Directed by Richard Stokes and Roger Harrison, both former international referees, and aided by Camp founder Alan Richardson.

The camp is designed for and targeted at aspiring Level 3 and 4 referees while also welcoming applications from oversees referees.

Residential cost - £549

Non-Residential cost - £349

Do you fit any of these criteria?

• Women & Girls

• Young People (under 21)

• Underrepresented Ethnic Groups

You could qualify for bursary funding to support your course costs.

Simon Unsworth, Basketball England Delivery Manager for Officiating, will provide support and oversight from a National Governing Body perspective and was supportive of a project and programme which will contribute to the growth and development of the British Basketball refereeing fraternity:

Simon Unsworth, Basketball England Delivery Manager for Officiating:

"The Nationwide Referee Camp is a unique experience which can only be appreciated once attended. The attention that you receive as a delegate referee, with the degree of regular education and games refereed, in a 5-day period, is one that leaves you going home a better and more inspired referee."

Nationwide Camp founder and instructor, Alan Richardson has been running the camp since 1993 and was more excited than ever to continue his legacy of developing officials both domestically and internationally:

Alan Richardson, Camp Founder:

"Since I experienced at first hand these types of teaching camps in the USA some years ago, I wanted to run something similar for referees on this side of the Atlantic. We have been part of the development of a huge number of referees that have gone on to excel at national and international level, both here in the UK and overseas. We are proud of what we have helped officials achieve in the last 30 years."

The quality of the contributors across the piece is buoyed by the addition of Richard Stokes as Camp Director, who has experience over the last 21 years of working at the internationally at the European level, and also with a number of other leagues and national federations.

Richard Stokes, Camp Director:

"The format of this camp, and hopefully the experiences and insights that the instructors can share with the referees, can helps shape their development. It’s great privilege to work with referees of all levels and experiences and to help them attempt to fulfil their potential and reach their goals. The Leeds Camp and the level of play at the Elite Week camp, gives us a great opportunity to do that.”

Matt Newby, Red Star Camp Director

"Critically, the opportunity to contribute towards the development of an aspect of our game, which is currently a priority for the National Governing Body and the broader fraternity is important, and the camp is a platform to help develop and improve inspiring officials. The calibre of the staff that Alan Richardson and Richard Stokes have assembled, and the respective careers that each of them have had, will ensure that the candidates have the very best experience. The Red Star Elite Week climate affords the officials the opportunity to interrogate their own abilities, receive support and mentorship from high-calibre experts within the game, and become part of a fraternity which is integral to the evolution of the game domestically.

Aspiring officials who wish to sign up to the camp can do so by CLICKING HERE.