May 15, 2005
This past season was easily the most successful in my tenure as area supervisor.
We, like so many other areas faced the daunting task of a change in rules and mechanics and I am happy to say we passed in flying colours.
After a large number of our officials attended the inaugural collect in Truro in the fall, the officials of Cumberland came back to this area and all served as great mentors and colleagues to each other as we ironed out the minor bumps in the road.
We held no less than seven additional clinics in regards to the rules and mechanics and held a study night for six consecutive weeks on rules and situations.
I also held three separate clinics for coaches and was pleased to be asked to put on a session for all the coaches within the Cumberland District and by all accounts, this served the coaches well leading into the season.
A number of our officials also had an opportunity to get away to provincial tournaments and represented our area well. Congratulations to those three fine young officials.
With the possibility of moving back to FIBA rules looming over us, Cumberland will be leaning on each other again in the fall to carry out the switch back and the leadership of Reg Caulfield and Doug Wortman will greatly needed.
Wortman will also return to the position of Area Supervisor, a title he held for well over a decade in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ray Burns will also return as assistant supervisor and John Clarke will act as area liaison in personnel matters.
Overall, it was a successful year, one free of conflict and I look forward to next season being more of the same.
Sam McNeish
Cumberland Supervisor