Basketball NSW is excited to share as part of the NSW Government’s Her Sport Her Way initiative, a new education program created for NSW female officials will be introduced in 2023.
Her Call Her Way aims to identify 10 officials to develop their skills in leadership while also providing further education opportunities through mentorship with JD8 (a online education program) facilitated by current NBA Program Development Member, Jacqui Dover.
This program has been set up as part of the Her Sport Her Way Sport Grant to assist female referees within sport to navigate the pathway to the level of the game that wish to strive for and give females the opportunity to develop skills and tools to lead the next generation of females within Basketball Officiating and improve their own refereeing skills.
Basketball NSW, Head of Technical Officials, Steve Clark said he was eager to start the program in 2023, and highlighted the importance of having a dedicated space for females to learn and develop on and off the court.
“We are very thankful to the NSW Government’s Her Sport Her Way Grant for assisting us in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for our female referees to continue to develop their leadership skills as well as harnessing the idea of mentorship to help foster great relationships within the official’s community,”
“Our partnership with Jacqui Dover is unique as her Education program JD8 will help pave the way for these selected individuals to recognise their own pathways into the elite level, just as Jacqui has done over the past several years.”
“The skills they will acquire through this process are what I believe will be life skills, an increase their confidence levels, and will assist them to become successful in their pursuits of one day refereeing in the WNBL, NBL, WNBA or even the NBA if that is what they dream of chasing.”
The Her Call Her Way Program will feature various 1-1 group sessions as well feedback on officiating, goal setting, mentoring coaching and leadership education virtually and in person over the next 12 months.
Hear from what some of the selected individuals have to say about the new Female Leaders Education Program, Her Call Her Way.
Kaitlyn Neate – Goulburn Basketball Association
“This program means a lot to me as I feel like I can learn a lot from Jacqui Dover and the JD8, and be able to pass it on to younger female referees who are coming up in BNSW. I am truly grateful for this opportunity because I’m hoping it will inspire the younger generation to experience our version of the basketball world.”
Caitlin Grove – Bankstown Basketball Association
“I am honoured to be selected, alongside some fantastic female referees, to be apart of the Female Referee Leadership program. I am grateful for the opportunity to develop my skills both on and off the court throughout the 2023 season.”
Courtney Smith – Moss Vale Basketball Association
“I feel privileged to be given this opportunity and look forward to working on my officiating skill with a talented group of female officials, while under the guidance of an incredibly dedicated and talented official.”
Rachel Hogan – Hills Basketball Association
“I am passionate about education and female participation in sport, so I am very excited to undertake this program to continue developing my officiating skills so that I can best support other young women in their refereeing journey.”
2023 Her Call Her Way list of participants:
Caitlin Grove – Bankstown Basketball Association
Courtney Smith – Moss Vale Basketball Association
Crystal Dupuche – Bankstown Basketball Association
Gemma O’Grady- Hills Basketball Association
Kaitlyn Neate – Goulburn Basketball Association
Molly Manns – Central Coast Waves Basketball Association
Rachel Hogan – Hills Basketball Association
Sarah Fahey – Newcastle Basketball Association
Zara Baldwin – Central Coast Basketball Association (Terrigal)
