President’s Report
Submitted by Sam McNeish
April 20, 2007
Dear
Members,
The wheels
of progress have continued to turn well for the members of NSBO.
We have
shown continued growth and progress with each of our partners.
The
relationships we have forged continue to flourish under the leadership of our
key people and through the hard work and diligence of all our officials.
The NSSAF
has continuously embraced our efforts and BNS, under the leadership of Mike
Brien and Don Ehler have worked hard to maintain high standards for their
programs.
The support
both organizations have shown our membership is beyond reproach and bodes well
for the future of our up and coming officials who work diligently on their game.
The ACAA
continues to be a sound partner as does the AUS and we have worked hard as an
organization to meet their requests and provide them with the on floor product
that best meets their own personal dynamic. NSBO has committed to several
initiatives to help these organizations achieve their goals and in the coming
years, these goals will be met.
Our
self-imposed initiatives of developing female officials has shown great success
as several of the officials who attended the all-female camp last summer worked
a full schedule this year culminating with great assignments and evaluations at
NSSAF playoffs this spring. It is my hope that this type of initiative can
continue and perhaps even develop our own officials’ camp that will operate in
conjunction with summer basketball tournaments in a similar vane to the process
that developed the CABO and Canada West camps.
We have
over 500 in Atlantic Canada and I would like to see
Camps,
clinics and additional sessions will be paramount for all officials in
It appears
all of our partners will be playing this rule set next year. This will include a
transition back to FIBA mechanics. For new officials it will be fine as they
will be introduced to these for the first time and I believe the veterans among
us will switch back with little or no hitches.
Big hats
off to all our officials who attend provincial, regional and national
assignments this spring. By all accounts our officials were second to none in
their efforts at these events.
A
congratulations to Reg Caulfield for his efforts at the CIS men’s where he
worked the bronze medal game. Paul Hanson worked hard at the CIS women’s and
represented NSBO well in his continued development efforts.
Reg
Caulfield, Jon Hunt, Paul Hanson and Mary Alice Butts represented us well
regionally at the AUS playoffs continuing to show the level of proficiency of
our officials at this level.
A special
not to my friend and mentor Reg Caulfield for his efforts at the CIS level. Reg
will be sailing off into the sunset at the CIS level as the men’s nationals will
be the last tournament he will attend.
A special
congratulations to Dave McGrattan on being selected as the crew chief for the
CCAA nationals in
Greg
Parsons had a solid tournament working the bronze medal game. Others who had
solid tournaments at the CCAA nationals include Peter Phipps, Paul Debelie,
I would
also be remiss if I didn’t mention the efforts of two of my favourite people at
the NSSAF playoffs. Both Judy Murray of
As we
transition into a new season in 2007-08, changes will be required and as we hold
elections at the Spring AGM, a new leader will emerge from among our members.
After careful consideration, many conversations with family and friends and
changing my mind several times, I have determined I will not be re-offering for
the position of president.
New demands
in my job and a lack of family time has led me to this decision, albeit not an
easy one. I have found at times this year, I have spread myself too thin and
efforts in all facets of my life have suffered leading me to this decision.
Whoever
succeeds me, know that my e-mail is always open to inquiries and I will work to
the best of my abilities to help in the transition process.
Thanks to
everyone who has served with me for their support during my term. You work and
dedication unfortunately goes largely unnoticed by the general membership who
you serve. This work and dedication is done in the best interest if the masses
and has made us the strong organization we are today.
Best wishes
to all of you.
Sam McNeish
President,
NSBO