KAITAIA (New Zealand) – Tongan referee, Natasha Ah-Hing makes her debut at the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022.

Natasha Ah-Hing, says becoming a referee, has boosted her self-confidence, and learning to have a tough skin in making and standing by her decisions, made on court.  Ah-Hing, a proud Pacific woman of Tongan and Samoan descent, is one of the twelve officials from the region selected for the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022.  A former basketballer player, Ah-Hing decided to give refereeing a go due to injuries forcing her out of playing.

"I kind of lost interest in basketball and didn’t want anything to do with basketball anymore,” Ah-Hing said.  “My mum encouraged me to have a go at refereeing as a way of giving back to the sport. Once I started university, refereeing was a great way to earn a small income while studying.  Since refereeing I've been presented with unexpected opportunities such as refereeing at the Pacific Games 2019, Under 17 Oceania Cup 2019 and now the FIBA Polynesian Cup 2022.”

"To be able to referee and represent Tonga at the FIBA Polynesian Cup, and throughout the Pacific, is a massive honour, and it is something that I do not take for granted.”

Ah-Hing says refereeing is a great opportunity for young people to develop a different perspective on the sport, earn a bit of income on the side and maybe get presented with opportunities to represent their heritage in tournaments such as these.

Ah-Hing admits that being a basketball official comes with its challenges especially for females. "I think it's really important that female officials continue to be supported so that when women decide to pick up a whistle, they feel they are supported and competent enough to officiate.

FIBA Referee Instructor, John Rearden, echoes this sentiment.  "We continue to support referee development across Oceania for men and women officiating basketball, especially women” Rearden said.  “All of our referees come to these events with various levels of competency.  While some are FIBA accredited, my role is to help all improve at events such as the FIBA Polynesian Cup.  The intent is that they will adopt the education provided, go back to their respective nations and train others whilst consistently applying the learnings made during the competition."

FIBA – Rula Su’a Vaai