Basketball NSW is excited to announce the referees selected to officiate at the highly anticipated 2025 East Coast Challenge (ECC), set to take place at Penrith this January.
The ECC continues to stand out as a premier development platform for not just players but also for coaches and referees, offering a unique opportunity to excel in a high-performance environment. Over the course of three days, the event challenges referees to adapt to the fast-paced standards required at state and national levels, preparing them for the rigors of National Championships and beyond.
For referees, the ECC is more than just a tournament—it’s an invaluable learning experience designed to push them beyond their comfort zones and equip them with the skills needed to officiate at elite levels. With top-tier teams, coaches, and players in attendance, the tournament sets the stage for both personal and professional growth.
Basketball NSW, Head of Technical Officials, Steve Clark expressed his excitement for the 2025 basketball season, which kicks off with this tournament.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank all of the referees selected to officiate this year. Their participation is crucial not only to the success of the tournament but also to the future of officiating excellence in NSW,” said Clark.
“Officiating at the ECC is a fantastic way to prepare for the year ahead. This event mirrors the developmental journey players undertake, and referees equally rise to the occasion. I am looking forward to witnessing the next generation of elite officials demonstrate their abilities and potential throughout the tournament.”
Basketball NSW extends its congratulations to this group of referees and looks forward to watching them thrive on this dynamic platform.
Congratulations to the following officials:
Referees:
Adam Capotosto – Maitland Basketball
Bailey Baxter – Bankstown Basketball
Belinda Dalton – Central Coast Basketball
Brendan Lim – Hills Basketball
Broughton Hamilton – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Charlie Laidlaw-Graham – Valley Braves Basketball
Cooper Elliss – Central Coast Waves Basketball
Cooper Skelly – Bankstown Basketball
Davina Kuang – St George Basketball
Dustin D’souza – City of Blacktown Basketball
Emmy Prykiel – Northern Suburbs Basketball
Freddy NG – City of Sydney Basketball
Holly Powell – Hills Basketball
Isabella Naylor – Central Coast Basketball
Jake Jennings – Northern Suburbs Basketball
Jayna Bonney – Hills Basketball
Jordan K – City of Sydney Basketball
Josh Garnon – Hills Basketball
Joshua Elsom – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Justin Clarkin – City of Sydney Basketball
Lachlan Francis – Manly Warringah Basketball
Lilly Hogan – Northern Suburbs Basketball
Louis Brockwell – Basketball NSW/Northern Suburbs Basketball
Lucas Nicol – Manly Warringah Basketball
Matias Chong – Bankstown Basketball
Matt Walker – Illawarra Basketball
Michael Napper – Bankstown Basketball
Mitchell Butler – Port Macquarie Basketball
Natasha Karam – Bankstown Basketball
Rylee Bowles – Goulburn Basketball
Sarah Fahey – Newcastle Basketball
Sarah White – Macarthur Basketball
Sinead Gibbons – Bankstown Basketball
Will Cunningham – Valley Braves Basketball
Zeinab Haji Abolhasani – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Taye Washington – City of Sydney Basketball
Nathan Menser – Marrickville Spirit Basketball
Clochan Twomey – St George Basketball
Yashar Ellin – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Sam Stratten – City of Sydney Basketball
Referee Coaches:
Bruce Keirs – Penrith Basketball
Chris Vogelsinger – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Debbie Keirs – Penrith Basketball
Maddie Suprain – Newcastle Basketball
Marko Nikolic – Bankstown Basketball
Matt Walker – Illawarra Basketball
Shahrad Shafaghi – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
Yashar Elliin – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Basketball
2025
Dates: 8th – 10th January
Venue: Penrith