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Basketball
Cruzan Heyleger Conducts Officials Clinic
By Dean Greenaway
May 5, 2008, 09:55

St. Croix referee Kenneth Heyleger explains a signal during Saturday's clinic. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Long Look Bull Dogs scorer Rene Farrington was among 22 who showed up to Saturday’s BVI Basketball Federation organized officials’ clinic that was conducted by FIBA certified instructor, St. Croix’s Kenneth Heyleger, at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town.

Farrington said her purpose for attending was to be educated on how referees make their calls. “Sitting on the bench and the sideline, you’re wondering why a call is the way it is and you are saying he’s not fair or you don’t know why the call was made,” she noted. “So I came just to get a little knowledge. This has enlightened me. I’ve learnt a few tips such as you have to be in the area you are making your call and make sure your scorers and officials see the call before you continue in the game.” 

Federation president Guy “The General” Malone said he was impressed with the turnout as most the officials who work with his body annually, attended the three hour session. He said there were several new comers who wanted to assist attending the session and he’s happy about their interest.

“This course was important because one of the problems we’ve had over the years is the scorers and referees being in synch in carrying out the officiating,” he noted. “I see this helping our season very much because when I look around the room and you see the interest, they are all paying attention. During the break, you are hearing them saying a lot of things were missing and this was long overdue and they welcomed it. This will help to raise the level of officiating.”

Participants in Saturday's BVIBF officials' clinic. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Heyleger said he was surprised by the turnout and saw a lot of people who were interested in learning the game and the rules and interpreting them. “I’m really proud of what I’ve seen today. The turnout was great and they have shown interest,” Heyleger pointed out. “My goal was to see if I could get some people who are in the field of officiating to understand the philosophy of what we want to be doing with basketball and where we want to take it.”

Heyleger said he thinks they understand the game better from what he has seen and the types of questions asked. “I feel they have a grasp of what I was doing and I felt that this was a great success for Tortola,” he said.

Referee Roger “Malt Man” Williams said the session was refreshing and he thought it was good for the scorers, since they have to work as a team. “Once you are on the court and everything is synchronized, everything will go smoothly,” he said.

Coach Morris Wattley said the clinic presented good information. “Once we put it to use, it should be very valuable,” he said. “The referees here can referee, but that’s if they take it serious and keep it as it should be.”   

Scorer Clayton O’Neal commented the Federation on the clinic. “The material that was presented was very valuable for the scorers and referees as well,” he said.