BRISBANE - FIBA in partnership with Basketball Australia, Basketball New Zealand and the National Basketball League have conducted a series of refereeing clinics throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The clinics were hosted by FIBA Director of Refereeing, Carl Jungebrand. Co-presenters included: FIBA Fitness Instructor, Alejandro Vaquera; International Olympic Referee, Steven Seibel; and FIBA in Oceania Referees Manager, Albert Joseph.

Referees in each state were exposed to the latest FIBA officiating techniques and trends. These sessions have offered aspiring and elite referees the chance to learn from the worlds best.

Jungebrand provided insight into the inner workings of FIBA's refereeing system, offering his world class knowledge of techniques to the latest in referee mental preparation training.

"It's very important for the global referee environment to have Australia, New Zealand and the whole of Oceania on the same [page]," he said.

Through theoretical presentations and practical demonstrations, Vaquera exposed aspiring referees to the dedication and work ethic needed in order to reach the pinnacle of refereeing. Seibel attested to what can accomplished by those who excel in the aspects being taught through these clinics. Joseph was invaluable in providing context of the theoretical and practical teaching for referees in this region.

The last of the sessions wrapped up in Sydney on Thursday. The clinics were heavily praised in Australia and New Zealand.

These clinics were held from the 28^th of January to the 4^th of February. Dates are as follows:

Brisbane - Thursday 28 January 2016

Auckland - Saturday 30 January 2016

Melbourne - Sunday 31 January 2016

Adelaide - Monday 1 February 2016

Perth - Tuesday 2 February 2016

Sydney - Thursday 4 February 2016

We caught up with the presenters while in Brisbane and here is what they had to say about the program.

FIBA