AUS Women’s Commissioner’s Report                           May, 2005

As most of you know this will be my final year as an active member of NSBO. As I hang up my whistle, and my pen, I look back upon the progress that has taken place in the AUS Women’s panel over the last decade with great satisfaction.

Thanks to the excellent efforts from our negotiating team of Al King and Wendall Skeir, we will be moving forward into three person officiating next year for AUS women, a long awaited step toward gender equity. Further, we have agreed to commit to increased numbers of female officials and assignments at this level of competition. This mandate is long overdue and will only succeed if our female officials step up to the challenge. Our existing female board members have developed into excellent referees and must show leadership by taking on more work in the AUS and also encouraging new female officials to develop. The board must be willing to fast track those women who show promise. The advancement of females is a priority for our AUS clients and must be a priority of ours as well.     

In general, the AUS panel is in a very healthy state. We have a wealth of experience and are recognized across the country for our talents. And, it is especially reassuring that, as our senior officials move toward the twilight of their careers, there are a number of people stepping forward, ready to carry on this legacy of distinction. Indeed, I sense of late there has emerged an air of “professional pride” amongst our board members and an expectation that we all maintain the highest possible standards on the floor. This type of performance scrutiny is the breeding ground for excellence.

I urge you as a group to continue to work hard at your game. As you become more accomplished, do not become complacent or take your success for granted.

As for the younger officials, observe those who have earned the “status of acceptance” and make subtle adjustments to your game, but keep your own individual style intact. Your growth will force the senior officials constantly to look over their shoulders. This is a healthy thing. Remember, you must be willing ultimately to step up and step into their place.                                               

As for me, I head out to pasture with marvelous recollections and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime. Allow me to thank you as a group, because I truly have countless memories of happiness and admiration from my association with you all. In particular, to my fellow executive members who have devoted countless hours to running this organization, I thank you for all the guidance and cooperation you have afforded me.

Many of you I have worked with for decades, enough so that we even were labeled by “Frank” magazine as an “old boy’s club”; I most willingly welcome being part of that elite group. I have nothing but respect for the dedication and talent that this “club” has demonstrated through the years. Thanks for the memories.

In conclusion, allow me to thank the Metro officials, NSBO and BNS for the awards of recognition that you have bestowed on me this year and those in past years. My family and I were overwhelmed with these generous gestures. I am very proud to receive such praise from my basketball peers whom I hold in such high regard.  

I wish you all success in the years to come. And if I may paraphrase Gil Brier, a good friend and fellow official from Quebec, “May all of your block/charge be beauuuuuutiful.”  

Respectfully submitted,

Ted Wallace