every court super I know is very conscious of where they roster rookies.
I think it is a good idea when learning they referee younger players - as there can be issues with lack of knowledge / expectations / ability.

Depends on how old? Older than your nephew or same age?

I think variety is important. Younger grades learn what to let go and what to call. Older grades, faster pace, learn mechanics and angles to look for contact. Learn to watch off the ball. I mean, once qualified they are expected to referee any and all age groups. It's like getting a drivers license without ever having to drive over 80kph.

As long as he feels supported by the umpire in charge and his partner, should be great learning experience.

If you're asking green shirts to watch off the ball you have no clue about the evolution of the vocation

Sebastian you are correct. But that doesn't apply to referees over in SA. Some NBL1 refs are barely out of their green shirts.

There are no NBL1 referee's in SA or any state for that matter that are just out of green shirts. The pathway does not work that way

Depends on your definition of "barely". Ours must differ. "pathway" is nice but just isn't reality.

Yeah it actually does. Have to go through significant Junior rep before you get to NBL1.

Sebastian, there is currently a 13 year old in the SARDP, he has been refereeing Tuesday night Div 1 U21 and Senior Men's games.

Technically not just out of a green shirt, but the same idea applies? He did his 1B course even though the age restriction is there.

Basket case, are you talking about domestic or district?
my 16 year old son was refereed by a 12 year old who had only just gotten his stripes. The game was so badly managed that the club put in a complaint regarding the refereeing. Homophobic comments were said repeatedly, and the number of bruises he sustained after asking the referee for support was ridiculous. One player ended up with a dislocated shoulder. The response from the supervisor 'I didn't see it, you need to deal with it yourself’.

As a parent, to witness such homophobia on a basketball court was enough to turn me off of the sport. My son isn’t even gay, which is what made it even more disturbing.

For starters that isn't NBL1 but if BSA aren’t up holding the age restrictions that’s probably more of an issue to take up with Vanessa Devlin

this is the problem - the younger refs can get easily intimidated instead of pulling rank.
The situation I have a problem is - go to a stadium and local playing kids are out there reffing - sometimes their mates / brothers or sisters etc.

The clubs senior people are coaching and yelling calls etc - the amount of power they have over the junior refs is huge and badly managed it leads to bad decisions / influences on how to manage games.

Way preferred the older system where referees were rostered at stadiums away from their home stadium.

Also how much emphasis goes into their training regarding ethics of remaining neutral - have seen refs made contentious calls in close games then get hugs from 1 team & coaches cause their mates. Or go and stand with loud parents because their mum and dad are there.
We were always taught remain and appear neutral in bias and dissipate after a game (usually to the refs room). Don't pack your reffing gear in the club bag that just won that game by a point at your stadium.

Sebastian, yes, you are correct.
I have no issues with it, the referee and technical offical manager has a huge job of supporting all the referees coming through the ranks at BSA. As you'd be aware, the SARDP members are (hopefully) working their way towards NBL1 officiating through this program. I think it’s great that there is recognition for such young adults, it ensures that they feel valued and supported from the start.

It will be good to see what supports are made available to the other referees who don’t make the program, to ensure continued officiating development.
Referees can only improve if they are put through a cycle of learning, adjustment, and practice. You can’t improve if you don’t know you’re doing a subpar job.

+, I agree wholeheartedly with each of your statements.
For district: I was under the impression that this was frowned upon, and 'home stadium' referees were switched around periodically to decrease potential bias?

And one would query, what feedback is given to referees when there has been bias observed? And if this is a pattern, what is being put in place to support that referee’s development? Is there any remediation that occurs? I have no idea, these are just some of the things I ponder.

For domestic, it’s whoever is available, or who is playing at that stadium later in the day will be rostered games.