MIES (Switzerland) - When Vanessa Devlin speaks about 3×3, she doesn’t start with speed, physicality or spectacle. She talks about people. About culture. About belonging. For more than a decade, the Australian referee has grown alongside FIBA 3×3, officiating on its biggest stages, witnessing its rise to the Olympic Games and finding within it a community that continues to support her not only as an elite official, but now as a mother and leader.
A Journey That Began on the Sidelines
Devlin’s refereeing journey began in 1999, sparked by a familiar presence rather than a grand ambition. She spent countless hours watching her father’s games, where one referee persistently encouraged her to pick up the whistle herself.
"One day I decided to go ahead and do it," she says simply. "I enjoyed it, so I kept going."
What started as curiosity gradually evolved into commitment. As Devlin progressed through the national ranks and found herself performing strongly at higher levels, the idea of officiating as a long-term path took shape. International refereeing became a goal, but one she admits she never fully believed she would achieve.
That belief would soon be tested.
Earning Respect at the Elite Level
Like many officials climbing the ranks, Devlin faced moments of doubt and adversity. Injuries forced her to spend time on the sidelines, confronting the unsettling possibility that she might not return to the court at all.
"Those were frustrating times," she says. "You always wonder what happens if you can’t come back."
When she did return, new challenges awaited. Entering elite competitions as a newcomer meant earning trust, particularly from seasoned players and coaches.
"I had to show that I belonged at that level," she explains. "Respect wasn’t given. It had to be earned."
That resolve would carry her onto the global stage.
From Goals Achieved to Standards Maintained
Devlin’s officiating résumé includes some of the sport’s most prestigious events: the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2019 in Amsterdam, the FIBA Under-23 World Cup 2023 in Poland and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Yet for her, selection was never the finish line.
"Getting selected meant I reached my goal," she says. "But it also meant I had to work even harder. Just because you make it doesn’t mean the journey is over."
That mindset mirrors her connection with 3×3, a discipline with which she fell in love early, drawn not only to its pace, but to its culture.
"What stood out to me was the family feel," Devlin says. "Not just among referees, but everyone involved."
Having witnessed the sport’s growth over the past decade, from grassroots beginnings to Olympic inclusion, she takes pride in having been part of its evolution from the start.
Leading Beyond the Court
After reaching the remarkable milestone of 100 games officiated in Australia's Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Devlin retired from on-court refereeing but not from the game itself.
"I still wanted to be involved," she says. "I could see areas that needed improvement, and I wanted to help make both referees and the competition better."
Now serving as Technical Officials and Referees Manager at Basketball South Australia (BSA), Devlin has shifted her focus to development, particularly for female referees navigating a path she knows well.
"Growing up, there weren’t many female referees," she reflects. "At times, it felt like me against the males. There wasn’t always someone to talk to."
Through BSA’s Female Participation Strategy Program, Devlin and other senior officials now provide education, mentorship and support to ensure young women entering officiating no longer feel alone.
Redefining What Success Looks Like
Motherhood has added a new lens to Devlin’s perspective. Where basketball once consumed everything -- often at the cost of weddings, birthdays and family moments -- priorities have shifted.
"My boy comes first now," she says.
Yet rather than stepping away, Devlin has found a sport and an organization that embraces her whole life. Supported by FIBA, she is able to travel with her son, who has quickly become a familiar and much-loved presence at tournaments.
"He ends up being the star of the show," she laughs.
Legacy Built on Humility
Asked what she hopes young referees, especially young women, take from her journey, Devlin’s answer is consistent with everything that came before.
"Stay humble," she says. "No referee is ever bigger than the game. Treat every game the same, no matter the level."
As she looks ahead, her vision is clear: to help referees grow from their first whistle to elite pathways, equipped with the tools, confidence and support she once wished she had herself.
For Vanessa Devlin, success is no longer measured solely by appointments or tournaments officiated. It is found in growth, in guidance and in knowing that whether on the court or at home, she is leading by example, exactly where she belongs.
FIBA