Summary
Following the development of the level 1 FIBA REFEREE INSTRUCTOR PROGRAMME (FRIP) delivered as a pilot earlier in the year, the programme is now being rolled out into the other FIBA world zones. The programme of home study, online learning and assessment as well as an intense three days is being tested robustly across the world. Carl Youngerbrand, FIBA's head of officiating, describes the programme and our involvement.
Approach
Following feedback from the European sessions delivered in Zagreb, modifications were made to ensure the other sections of refereeing and basketball matched with the style of delivery and written English we developed for the pilot.
Simon advised the deliverers of the basketball and referee content on making the session more interactive and engaging. Simon flew to Bangkok for the three days of intense training. The Far East session had representatives from Australia, Japan, Iran, Thailand as well as the senior officers from the FIBA WORLD and the head of the FIBA world referees commission, Mr Costa Rigas, from Greece .
Simon delivered the first day and a half on the theory and practice of teaching and learning, engaging those who did not speak English as a first language. He also guided the FIBA staff on delivery of the basketball knowledge based on his experience as a coach at national league level.
Outcome
Very positive feedback concerning the level of learning achieved and also how referee instructing will change in the national federations. The next stage will be to deliver to Oceania, the America's (North and South), Africa and plan for further enhancement for European national federation instructors.
We have now been contracted to develop FRIP level 2 which will be the next level up and will consist of the development of referee coaching and planning advice to federations.