OPENING REMARKS:

Our association continues to enjoy the benefits of strong communication within our membership and with our many partners.   If we are to continue growing as an association, our membership has to be prepared to bring forth their concerns to our Executive so changes deemed necessary can be made.   Recently, I attended the Metro Year-End Party and was surprised to hear the number of concerns expressed informally by many and was impressed with the number of solutions offered to resolve provincial issues.   The resolution of common problems would be best addressed collectively and resolved through learned best practices as opposed to working in isolation.   We can learn from each other by sharing our failures/mistakes and acknowledging best practices.  In support of this, I have identified a number of issues to be discussed at the spring meeting, i.e. assignment process, gender equity, professional development, mentoring programs, recruitment, insurance, expectations of senior officials, and zero tolerance/discipline.

CONTRACT – AUS PLAY-OFFS:

This agreement pertains to both the men’s and women’s AUS basketball championships.  This is a four-year agreement (2005-2008) where Nova Scotia receives two assignments each year and will receive a third in the same year as the province sends the A/E to the tournament.    Each of the four provinces will have an opportunity to provide an A/E on both the men’s and women’s side for one year throughout the four-year rotation.  Officials will receive $100 per game.  In addition, there will be gender representation in each year of the women’s AUS basketball championships.  Commencing 2006, a minimum of two female officials will be assigned to the AUS Women’s Championships for the remaining three years of the contract.  This selection will be determined by the respective selection committee in each province with equal responsibility on each province to ensure that they have gender representation to contribute to the rotation to fulfill this obligation.   Our province will have at least one female attending next year’s championship.  Provincial Supervisors will be meeting at CABO’s Fall AGM meeting to further discuss the impact of this contract and establish a plan of action. 

PARTNERSHIPS

Basketball Nova Scotia:

During the past year, we have enjoyed a positive working relationship with Basketball Nova Scotia as they have recently hired Executive Director, Don Ehler.  He has kept us informed of all developments and he is very interested in furthering our working relationship, especially in the area of zero tolerance and maintaining professionalism within the basketball environment.   Discussions on the agreement for the upcoming year will take place during our spring AGM in Truro and will include issues such as: rates, membership and assistance for the development of officials.

ACAA:

A number of meetings have been held with the ACAA to finalize a two-year contract.  To date, a draft proposal has been developed and we are currently reviewing the contents for final approval.  The proposal includes a rate increase for both officials and Assignor/Evaluator however no increase in travel rates.   The ACAA did not present any concerns with the service provided over the past year and were extremely pleased with the professional work completed by Keith Finck, College Commissioner.

I met both formally and informally with the new Executive Director and will be meeting with him again at some point this summer to finalize a new agreement.    One suggestion that I plan on making is to have the Division I Championship use 3-person officiating.  The Executive Director informed me that he was extremely pleased with the caliber of officiating provided at the provincial championships this year and is beginning to understand the working relationship between NSBO and NSSAF.   His major concerns are similar to those of Don Ehler’s in reference to inappropriate behavior and the lack of respect of players and fans.   This subject will be another major agenda item discussed at our spring meeting.   On another subject, I sent a note of congratulations to Ron O’Flaherty on behalf of NSBO thanking him for his support over the years and wishing him the best in his retirement.

CABO/CANADA BASKETBALL:

The CABO Executive has voted on the Canada Basketball’s Be One proposal and the result of the vote was fifteen (15) for adoption and eleven (11) opposed.   CABO believes that several members did not fully understand some of the explanations Jim Walsh provided in his letter so the Executive decided it was best to delay the formal approval with CB until attempts have been made to clarify matters and to reassure those dissenting provinces.  We were one of the provinces who opposed the proposal.  To date, we have not been contacted by Jim on this issue.  However, CABO’s intent is to follow through in the immediate future to approve the agreement with Canada Basketball but also feel that they need to be more comfortable with the wording and Council’s appreciation of same before they can sign the document.   NSBO members will be kept informed of developments in this area as they occur. 

CABO CAMP SCHOLARSHIP – FUNDING FOR OFFICIALS:

Each province has been allotted $500 by CABO towards Camp Scholarships.  Officials should take advantage of this opportunity.  Interested officials should submit their name to their Area Supervisor who in turn will submit names to the President for final selection (deadline May 31, 2006).  

LEVEL II CERTIFICATION:

Congratulations to Geoff Spencer on being certified as a Level II official.   He has fulfilled his responsibilities and is encouraged to actively seek out opportunities at the next level of officiating.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Note:  The Selection Committee for national assignments consists of: Provincial Supervisor, Reg Caulfield, Provincial Assessor, Reg Jewkes, and Member at large, John Fanning.   The selection of officials to the CIS Championships are selected by the respective Commissioners and communicated to CABO through the office of the Provincial Supervisor..

Congratulations to the following officials on their success at their respective provincial and national tournament:

Reg Jewkes and John Fanning attended a National Evaluator’s Conference in Toronto last December.

There will be opportunities for officials to be selected for upcoming summer tournaments.  Details will be announced once finalized.

It was a pleasant surprise to see CABO recognize Roger Caulfield at this year’s CIS for his years of service at national championships.   A special celebration was held at half-time of the CIS championship game and Roger received a heartfelt applause from the many fans at the game.  He has since received many notes of congratulations from basketball friends from across the country. 

R. J. Caulfield

Provincial Supervisor

Province of Nova Scotia