Provincial Supervisor's Report

Fall 2006 AGM

CABO UPDATE:

• The most significant outcome of the CABO meeting was the resignation of Jamie McCaig as Education Officer.  Four of the Executive Members raised their uneasiness in working with Mr. McCaig as they felt he had compromised the organization and broken trust therefore creating a working relationship that is constantly in turmoil.  In the end, Mr. McCaig decided that for the good of the organization he should resign from his position.  This entire event was extremely controversial, not well received by many and could have significant consequences.  Nova Scotia supported Mr. McCaig throughout the entire process.
• CABO reconstructed their website (www.cabocanada.org) with the objective of improving the communication link and sharing information promptly with CABO membership.  All new information is posted on the website including the CABO publication “Post Play”.   The CABO web master Shah Zafar has resigned from his position as a result of the resignation of Jamie McCaig.  He has recently been elected as the President of the Ontario Basketball Officials.
• Post Play was revitalized this past year under the leadership of Jamie McCaig.  The position of Editor of Post Play is presently vacant and CABO is looking for a replacement.
• In May 2006, three CABO members, namely Paul Deshaies (National Interpreter), Bill Crowley (Past President), and Don Cline (President), were accredited FIBA Technical Commissioners.   The only other accredited Canadian FIBA Technical Commissioner is Fred Horgan.
• CABO currently have 27 national evaluators which includes our very own Reg Jewkes.   Gary Boguski has recently resigned from his position as national evaluator in support of Jamie McCaig. 
• CABO membership is presently 3481 which is down approximately 50 members from previous years.
• The evolution to one set of rules in Canada has commenced (provinces should not entertain any modification to the rules).  All provinces are at various stages of implementation.  During the 2006/07 season, we will only be playing FIBA rules in the CCAA Men’s and Women’s and the CIS Women’s games.
• On the international stage, Canadian FIBA licensed officials once again performed exceptionally at major world events (12 appointments for 18 carded officials).   The list of Canada’s international officials may be viewed on the CABO website.
• CABO provided all the on-floor officials for the 2006 Canada Basketball Summer National tournaments (midget & juvenile).  CABO paid for all travel costs (Greg Parson, Mary Alice Butts represented Nova Scotia at these tournaments).  CABO has made a decision that they will not be providing any financial support (i.e. travel) to any new sponsored Canada Basketball events.
• The hopes of having a national insurance program will not be realized.  We are presently investigating our options to acquire provincial insurance as other provinces have recently been successful in obtaining acceptable insurance coverage for their membership. 

• CABO will not be sponsoring a camp next year as there are already too many sponsored camps across the country.
• The adoption of three-person officiating at high school championships has proven successful in some provinces.
• The remaining wild card for CIS Championship will now be shared between Québec and the Atlantic Provinces.  The rotation is presently being worked out.   Ontario is very unhappy with this decision as they believe they should be given the wild card based on their membership.
• CCAA National Championships for Men will be held in Truro this season.  All colleges have adopted the FIBA rules except for Ontario and league play.  National Championships will be played under FIBA rules.

CABO/CANADA BASKETBALL AGREEMENT:

The most significant accomplishment for CABO was the development and ratification of an agreement for our services with Canada Basketball.  Nine out of ten provinces ratified the document but not without a good deal of debate, hesitation and reservation from some.   Although Nova Scotia supported this initiative in the end, it was mostly to demonstrate our commitment to CABO and their desire to becoming a First Partner of Canada Basketball and a supporter of the BEONE initiative.   Like CABO, Nova Scotia wants to support Canada Basketball to unify the basketball community across the country and to extend the playing of FIBA rules to all levels.  Obviously, many areas in the agreement need clarification and all the answers are certainly not available at this time.   Success of the partnership will require flexibility, respect and mutual trust on both sides.  The relationship will seriously be jeopardized if it feeds on suspicion, confrontation or threats.  Any official who will be attending a national championship sponsored by Canada Basketball will have to become a BEONE member at the present cost of $20.00.   Canada Basketball has recently negotiated a new fee with Ontario Basketball Officials at the cost of $7.50.  NSBO is presently reviewing their options.

FEMALE OFFICIALS - CLINIC

Nova Scotia Officials, under the direction of Roger Caulfield, organized a very successful female officiating development clinic.   A total of 13 female officials from the Maritime Provinces participated in the clinic.   The goal of the clinic was to identify female referees who had a potential to advance to the university level and to assist NSBO in determining what our long range goals should be in meeting our agreement with the AUS.  In addition, the clinic has prepared some of these female officials to begin officiating at a higher level for this upcoming basketball season.

NSBO was pleased to receive support from CABO and Honig’s.   We would like to recognize the contribution made by Rob Anderson, Reg Jewkes, John Fanning and Paul Hanson towards the success of this initiative. 

It was disappointing that there was no assistance or support provided by our partners (Nova Scotia Basketball and AUS). 

CHALLENGES:

• One of the major issues we will be facing this upcoming season is the possibility that we may not be able to be in full compliance with the agreement reached between NSBO & AUS in regards to female officials.   We have recently lost female officials and will therefore need to find ways to cope with a serious shortage of qualified female officials to work the AUS women’s basketball games.  
• Another significant challenge we will be facing is meeting the agreement that was reached last year between the Atlantic Provinces and AUS regarding female representation at the play-offs.  All provinces may not be able to provide a qualified female official in the rotation.   Provincial Supervisor, Dave McManus is presently reopening negotiations with Jack Drover concerning female representation at the AUS play-offs.  This will be an agenda item at the AUS general meeting in October. 
• In response to the increase in fan abuse, we have developed a protocol for fan abuse that is supported by all of our partners.   During the past season, we have recognized the ineffectiveness of past practices and have taken corrective action by adopting specific guidelines to address problems in this area. 
• A decision must be reached in regards to insurance for our membership.  At present, our President Sam McNeish is leading the discussion on the issue and reviewing our options.
• Our membership continues to decrease and it will be essential that we focus and improve on our recruiting and mentoring programs.  One problem we face is that many of our mentors are working a very busy and demanding schedule therefore have little time or opportunity to meet the objectives.  
• It is extremely important that all Assignors and Area Supervisors are working towards the same goals.  In order to do so, it is essential that effective communications takes place and that all parties are aware of the organization’s goals and objectives.  

NATIONAL APPOINTMENTS:

LETTER OF AGREEMENT/CONTRACTS:

Contract negotiations with our partners have been ongoing and we are in the final stages of signing off agreements with BNS and NSSAF.  A Letter of Agreement with the ACAA has now been negotiated and signed-off.

Reg Caulfield - Provincial Supervisor - Nova Scotia