Campaign aims to protect refs

REFEREES for Basketball Ballarat aged under eighteen have begun to use green whistles as part of a campaign about creating a respectful environment.

The Green Whistle Campaign was started by Basketball Victoria and involves all referees who are minors using a green whistle so they can be identified by players and spectators.

Basketball Ballarat CEO Neville Ivey said the whistles are an important reminder.

“The campaign specifically targets the basketball community to provide an appropriate environment for our referees,” he said.

“A high percentage of our referees are under 18 and this is an acknowledgment to encourage more appropriate behaviour.

“These referees are essentially children and their wellbeing is paramount so this may be a visual trigger.”

The initiative is one of many that Basketball Ballarat have implemented to try and keep referees safe.

“Not only here in Ballarat but across all sports there is a systemic issue around players providing varying behaviour from being a bit cheeky to being flat out abusive,” said Mr Ivey.

“We have been running tech foul initiatives where if someone is abusive to a referee we have sanctions at our disposal.

“The green whistle takes it to another level where it is reminding players.”

Mr Ivey said following the COVID-19 pandemic there were more issues than normal with behaviour, however, these are slowly dissipating.

“Post COVID it felt like people came back a bit angry and we saw a lot more behaviours which are considered abusive,” he said.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into referee coaches which support the referees and I think it’s getting better.”