Beginning three years ago, the Westfield Basketball Association got a huge upgrade with the help of high school volunteers as part-time referees to assist with the youth in their recreational basketball games.
The Junior Referee Program began with a member of the WBA, Lauren Lehner. She learned that high school students would be extremely helpful in infiltrating the youth system and the certified referees.
Lehner said, “I had spoken with a local referee who had mentioned to me that there was a shortage of certified referees. I realized in my position on the WBA Board, I had an opportunity to start a program to create a pipeline of future referees and an opportunity to teach high school students how to gain work experience.”
With the program’s arrival, countless high school students have tried to get affiliated with the program. However, not everyone can earn the referee label.
In reference to the requirements to become a referee, Lehner said, “Students interested in this program must complete an online and an in-person training session in order to be considered.”
For those who have had the opportunity to be a referee, the experience is unlike a lot of other work. It’s very rewarding.
Senior and one-year referee Anthony Bulger said, “It’s a good way to develop a better understanding of the game and rules of basketball. One thing that I like is the fact that we are paired with an older certified referee who can coach us through the game.”
Senior and two-year referee Harrison Thorburn said, “I like that I get to not only referee little kids who are just starting their career, similar to how I did when I was their age, but I get to help them improve as well. Refereeing is interactive and more than just calling fouls and out-of-bounds.”
Lehner couldn’t agree more. The program has helped to create tons of important life lessons.
She said, “The JRP has not only taught the participants how to referee basketball games, but it has also given them the opportunity to learn how to manage a job and schedule on their own, take accountability and responsibility and communicate and learn from their actions and interactions with certified referees, players and parents.”
Despite just the junior referee themself, the program has impacted the Westfield community as a whole too.
Bulger said, “I think it gives young kids a good opportunity to make money and get experience refereeing, and I also think when younger kids see high schoolers as their referee, it might make them want to become one too.”
Thorburn said, “Refereeing will impact me to want to coach my children when I am older.”
As the years grow, Lehner is looking to take this program to another level. “In the future, I would like to continue to see this program grow, have the participants continue to contribute to the Westfield community and those who are interested, pursue their official referee certification,” she said.
