Today Saturday, February 8, 2020, the BVI Basketball Federation conducted a training clinic for potential referees in the local basketball sphere as part of the Federation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the referee pool in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Team of Reporters

President of the federation, Mr Derrick R. Varlack (right) along Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), who runs the Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), who runs the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League, along with its Chairwoman Mrs Kharid T. Fraser.. Photo: Team of Reporters

Camp Conductor Mr Norville A. Young Camp Conductor Mr Young is an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) certified referee and present at the clinic were also participants from the sister island of Virgin Gorda. Photo: Team of Reporters

Participants of the referee clinic today at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters

According to President of the federation, Mr Derrick R. Varlack, “since last year we planned to do a couple of camps with referees and coaches even with fans, so they can understand the knowledge of the game if we want to move on with basketball in the territory.”

He noted that the camp was initially planned with a basketball expert from the Bahamas, however, the individual has to cancel hence Mr Norville A. Young, the current conductor of the initiative, came on board.

‘We have nine participants here and it's going well, the camp is running from Friday until Sunday,” Mr Varlack told this news website while indicating that the remaining schedule for Saturday and Sunday is 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.

Controversy with referees

There has been recent controversy where the local referee association was suspended because of walking away from the Save the Seed Basketball League.

President of the Basketball Federation Mr Varlack­­­—elected June 25, 2019, and serving until 2023—has promised that by the end of his tenure, the Territory will have a new cohort of referees.

Observing today’s clinic were House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker, Hon Julian Willock and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), who runs the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League, along with its Chairwoman Mrs Kharid T. Fraser.

Camp Conductor, Mr Young is an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) certified referee and present at the clinic were also participants from the sister island of Virgin Gorda.