on the number of games played by juniors in a day/wkend, in NSW 2 games on a sunday , or 4 over a sat/sun is the normal fixture for country junior players at rep level.

Referee Development Officer Mike Gibson says "It's not the referees job to tell a player what they did wrong its the coaches"

I've also noticed amateur players don't hit a very high field goal percentage and turn the ball over a lot compared with their NBA counterparts...

@ Observer - Vic kids play 12 months of the year almost - your comment is not revelvant to Steve's points.

Big V refs are a disgrace. They are bias, they have vendetta's, they do not like to be questioned, if you catch them out they T you up. I'm waiting for the day when a coach loses their cool and jobs one of the smart arses in the gob. Trust me the day will come - they think because of their stripes they have no accountability.

Refs should be made to answer and justify every T foul they hand out. Watch the buggers crawl under their rocks if this was to happen.

Yes I agree with the post above - It is not about the referees. I think they think that it is. This is backed up by the BIG V website where there are often photographers sent to games. These action photos are then loaded onto the web site for viewing. Great idea no problems here - however - in every group of photos there are a number of "referee action portraits". Why? Who cares? the best referees are not noticed - why do they have a number of their photos loaded in amongst action shots of the players. Nobody looks at the photos to see a referee. It's things like this that get referees to believe that the game is about them and they are starting to believe this. People may argue that they are trying to promote referees so as to encorage youngsters to become referees. This is rubbish - I have played the game for 44 years and never once had a game cancelled because there were not enough referees.
It's time that the theatrics and the desire for the referees to have an impact on games stops. I am certain that many referees "get off" on the adrenalin rush that they get from having the power to decide the outcome of a close exciting game - to the point where they sub-consciously make calls that create close games down the stretch.
Oh - and as for the three second rule - either go back to the old interpretation which was much more black and white - or give up on that call forever. Referess just don't call that rule anymore - I know coaches who instruct their players to stay in the key until the call comes. The call never comes. Wake up!

Typical response - don't address any of the issues that people put forward - just bag the person who expresses them. It's people like you who dont' admit that there are issues who contribute to the problem.
Face it - ask around - find out for yourself - if you ask questions you will find out that there is an enormous under current of concern as to the poor standard of referee ability and behaviour!

it's "crusty old morons" like me who can actually compare the old with the new and make a valid comparison. You have no right to comment because you have no idea of the past. At least I have experienced both. You talk crap like "constant improvement" - in reality it is "constant regression" - but you wouldn't know that because you are probably one of the current refs that all on this forum are talking about. - Obviously I touched a nerve.

Arrogance and sensitive to criticism.

80% of big v refs suffer from these two personality traits. They pair up and feed off each other's ego. I know for a fact they target players and coaches.

I am a long standing ref of 20+ years. I am embarassed at the way games are being called. I sometimes shudder at the way some make quick calls without giving enough time to evaluate the situation. They leave themselves way open to criticism.
When a coach or player reacts they take it personally and you can bet they will punish the individual with a Tech or bad no calls.
I like the suggestion that every T handed out must be explained to a central source.
That way bad behavior from all angles can be assessed and we poor refs who try to do the right thing don't get labeled with the quick draw gun slingers.

475624 - do you still think there are no issues to address - even "crusty old moron" referess are concerned with the current poor standard of refereeing today!

I am old school,but seriously do referees have to high 5 each other at timeouts,and some of the stuck up younger ones feel it not necessary to introduce themselves prior to a game,it may be a result of technology where people are loosing the art of communication,accountability is the biggest issue and if they turn up and not see a senior supivisor it's like a green light to have a "look at me " show,perhaps a pre season BBQ where all coaches and officials can meet in a casual atmosphere,have a bit of Q and A time,get to know a few first names,and make it that each coach and referee has to come away from this knowing a minimum of 5 first names of people they have just met might help break down a few barriers

Wow, not sure if I want to buy into this debate, however as someone who has coached a lot of junior hoops and watched the changes in the game over the past few years I guess I can only give my own view.

The main issue here appears to be frustration!

Caused by many things, yes inconsistency, lack of communication, respect issues, perceptions, arrogance and maybe egos along the way, not to mention a plain lack of understanding and will to cooperate.

I have seen some socking officiating, not too much of that, but the occasional shocker.

More often I see shocking coaching reactions, persistent and flagrant action and reaction actually, but on the side of the officials it is usually the opposite until pushed too far, then the 'T' occurs.

There is no simple answer to the OP's situation, I guess we can all have a bad day, but we can't label a standard for officiating when there are so many different standards of competition play out there.

Take it for granted that the VBRA are aware and taking steps to try and consult with coaches at the highest level possible to try and find come common ground.

Also, let's just take a deep breath and try to smile at each other more during games, this I have found can really help defuse some of the tension and frustration, cheers and stay frosty...

... some common ground ...

sorry!

Once again the big v ceo has come out with a threatening memo about comments made on social media. Free speech as long as it's factual and not disparaging will not stand up to threats of suspension.
Julie how about you get focused on the real issues - REFEREE game management is the SOLE reason for why there is so much vitriolic comment.
Referee development in managing emotions/conflict would be a good starting point.
Like your last email about coach/player behavior all you have achieved is to piss people off even more.
You can be the champion of this cultural change cause - but please refrain from threatening and defensive emails .
You will have no respect if you continue in this vain.