YVERDON-LES-BAINS - The second Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) referees clinic has proven a big hit for the 18 European-based match officials who not only honed their skills, but also enjoyed a visit to the FIBA House of Basketball in Mies.

Building on the previous clinic four years ago in Italy, the event proved to be hugely successful as the participants gained the benefit from a collaboration between the DIBF, the Swiss Basketball Federation and US Yverdon Basketball, who were a primary funding sponsor.

Facilitated in Yverdon-les-Bains across five days earlier this month (4-8 May), the deaf referees were treated to lectures and facilitated discussion with Swiss official Sebastian Clivaz, a FIBA referee of the highest grade, DIBF World Secretary General, Jurgen Endress, and DIBF Head Referee, Fabio Scarpa.

All three proved hugely popular among the attendees for their outreach work and general approach, which was much appreciated by all of the deaf referees on the course.

The officials were given eleven lessons and four tests on physical fitness, rules, practice and video analysis, with everyone passing successfully. The clinic also dealt with a presentation about becoming a DIBF referee, the new upcoming DIBF Referee Commission, the criteria for licensing and their overall development.

Issues around the 'pre-game' was given particular attention and very carefully taught by Clivaz, who also trained and worked with the deaf referees on two-and three-person-officiating in the games where they could practice their mechanics.

It wasn't only the exhibits in the museum at the FIBA House of Basketball which captured the attention of those present at the clinic, since the officials also received a lecture from FIBA refereeing duo Miguel Perez Perez and Juan Mitjana about decision-making processes, along with controlling and managing the game.

As well as their visit to Mies, the referees were also given the opportunity during the clinic's timetable to visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

"It was more than a success and the clinic was excellently arranged," said Endress. "Our aim to have more DIBF referees in Europe and in the world has been met and we are all very happy with it. This is promising for the future."

Meanwhile, Swiss referee Vincent Guyon expressed his delight at the clinic being held in his homeland and the level of success which it attained.

"It is very emotional for me and I am very happy to see so many deaf referees from all Europe - and some new faces too," he said.

The 19 officials who participated in the second Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) referees clinic were: Federico Di Marzio (ITA), Alvydas Dobilas (LTU), Raul Ghindea (GER), Vincent Guyon (SUI), Manel Morilla Iglesias (ESP), Vitalii Ignatenko (UKR), Antonios Koutsoumaris (GRE), Benjamin MacNeil (GER), Kevin MacNeil (GER), Franziska Müller (GER), Julien Gaston Petit (FRA), Vadim Rechetnikov (GBR), Tobias Reinhardt (GER), Serhii Rudenko (UKR), Fabio Scarpa (ITA), Regina Sovarzo (GER), Michael Specht (GER), Pawel Wardziak (POL), Sonja Wucher (GER).

FIBA