Leadership, Game Control and Traits of Elite Referees: 32 Years of Insights from Nadine Crowley 🏀

Chapters Below
In this episode of Hoops Official, I interview Nadine Crowley, a former #FIBA referee and current FIBA Level 2+ Referee Instructor from #Canada. Nadine considers her greatest achievement to be maintaining a 32-year relationship with #basketball. Over these decades, she has experienced the sport as a player, coach, referee, and instructor. Nadine is a role model, educator, trailblazer, and lifelong basketball enthusiast. She teaches us about resilience and dealing with adversities for a long career. In our discussion, Nadine offers practical advice on how instructors evaluate referees, the qualities of elite referees, and effective leadership as a crew chief, enriched with stories from the court.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 - 00:01:00 Episode Intro.
00:01:00 - 00:07:00 Nadine's career milestones transitioning from player to referee, getting the FIBA Licence.
00:07:00 - 00:12:00 Dealing with adversity: Year-long Injuries and the moment Nadine realized that she won't be an official in the Olympics.
00:12:00 - 00:15:20 Retiring from officiating and transitioning to an instructor role
00:15:20 - 00:21:00 "I refereed the way I wanted to be refereed as a point guard" Perspective changes when she transitioned from a player to referee and later to instructor. What does a FIBA instructor do?
00:21:00 - 00:24:19 What are some of the things instructors look for at the Elite Level? What does feedback to an official look like from an instructor?
00:24:19 - 00:27:34 "One of the biggest things we look for is game control" Nadine breaks down what game control means.
00:27:34 - 00:31:28 Traits of Elite Referees What do they do better? Nadine explains.
00:31:28 - 00:34:53 "To be a good crew chief, you must study how to be a good leader". Nadine tells about dealing with conflict, and leadership on the court as a crew chief
00:34:53 - 00:35:33 "Philosophy of Fish-eating" Blooper of the year:)
00:35:33 - 00:40:20 "I don't think I've ever been that mad in my life" Nadine shares a pivotal moment in her career. FIBA Juniors #worldcup in Bratislava and one referee in her crew does not show up at the pre-game. Nadine feels disrespected, and emotions take over during the game.
00:40:20 - 00:45:10 Quick communication role play - dealing with an emotional player, and a coach that bad mouths about your partner.
00:45:10 - 00:52:00 Future of officiating: Inclusivity, Technology (IRS) and the threat of the Referee Abuse.