Over the coming weeks, we will be featuring a host of female referees who are currently (or have recently been) refereeing here in Ireland, to learn about their background, their refereeing careers and any tips and tricks they have for new referees.

Emma Perry

"Regardless of the step up you are making, believe in yourself, work hard, never allow the fact that you are female to stop you in your determination and drive, we are all referees and with hard work, honesty and self-belief you will get to the place you are meant to be."

Full interview here. 

Emer Buckley

"We are all human and mistakes will happen even when you are referring for years, but don’t dwell on those mistakes, use them as an education tool and learn from them. Be coachable, open to feedback both positive and negative and most importantly enjoy your journey of being a referee, Rome wasn’t built in a day."

Full interview here. 

Catriona White

"Being and staying involved in sport is so important. I can honestly say, I have met my best friends through sport. Sport keeps you mentally and physically fit. There are opportunities to travel within your own country and abroad. It teaches so many life skills that you don’t even know you’re learning e.g. Time management, communication, teamwork, commitment, loyalty, trust, focus, fun, laughter, memories! The list is endless!"

Full interview here. 

Louise O'Toole

"If everyone is working towards the same goal the game will be successful. It’s not us against them. Coaches, players and officials are all striving for the same thing  - a fair and entertaining game."

Full interview here. 

Niamh Callaghan

"When you begin refereeing at the highest standard of basketball in Ireland, the expectations are high for everyone involved. My referee coach at the time was David Smith and he gave me some great advice that I still carry with me today-"the only difference between you and more experienced officials is the number of mistakes they have made. Mistakes are a central aspect of learning, so don’t fear mistakes, accept that they will happen and learn from them."

Full interview here.  

Ruth Neill 

"I think you will always get some type of pre-game nerves, but you can harness them into focusing on the game.  Additionally, good pre-game chat with your co-official is beneficial as it helps put you in an active mind-set for the game."

Full interview here. 

Sara Guebaili

"Don’t take anything personal, people will complain no matter how good you are, it gets easier to handle any sort of critic and there is always guidance and help. You are never alone."

Full interview here. 

Lynda Cassidy

"Go for it. You bring a unique set of skills that no-one else can, both from the perspective of you as an individual and as a female referee. While it can be hard to break through the barrier of misconceptions of female officials, we bring many benefits to the game compared with our male counterparts – a different leadership dynamic, supportive management style, cooperative problem-solving approach, better communication skills, greater diplomacy, greater empathy ….. the list is endless!"

Full interview here. 

Tara Dunphy

"Try to get involved in a team.  It can be the basis for more than you know.  Being part of a team gives you a sense of involvement, it can also offer you an outlet for many years long after school or college have finished.  I believe there is something in sport for all of us so try everything until you find your fit.  Some are great players; some are great officials and others are great coaches."

Full interview here. 

Check out the homepage for all your refereeing education and development requirements. This page contains all relevant FIBA documents along with training videos and additional material supplied by Basketball Ireland.