Basketball Ireland’s New Program to Increase Women Referees
August 23, 2024
Basketball Ireland has launched the 'Dream Program', a mentorship initiative to elevate and empower the next generation of women referees across Ireland. It will provide 25 aspiring referees with the opportunity to learn from five of the country’s most respected and experienced woman referee mentors.
Women face several barriers in sports refereeing and officiating including societal biases, gender roles and stereotypes. Many women referees experience verbal abuse from players about their ability to officiate. They also often face organizational barriers that prevent them from assuming senior roles. These barriers can deter women from taking an interest in refereeing, leading to a disparity of women vs men referees.
The program focuses on upskilling and mentorship to provide participants with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel. It is open to those just starting out as well as those who want to refine their skills to advance in the field.
“The Dream Program is a monumental step forward in our mission to support and encourage women's participation in basketball officiating. We believe that by providing strong role models and mentorship, we can inspire a new wave of women referees who will contribute to the growth and success of basketball in Ireland,” said Paul Dempsey, Referee Training and Performance Manager at Basketball Ireland.
The program will run from September 2024 to April 2025 and will be led by five highly qualified women referees, each bringing years of experience and a wealth of knowledge of basketball officiating. They have been carefully chosen for their leadership, expertise and commitment to ushering in a new wave of women referees. The initiative includes one-on-one coaching, workshops, game-day experiences and networking opportunities. It will cover all aspects of the game, from rules and regulations to the soft skills needed to manage games effectively and professionally.
The Dream Program is part of Basketball Ireland’s mission to promote gender equality and support the development of women talent at all levels of the sport. It looks to enhance the skills of individual referees in addition to creating a supportive community of female officials who can inspire others. The program is open to women referees of all levels and is currently accepting applications.