Referees
Refereeing is the best-paid part-time job a high-schooler can get at the Snakepit, and the skills travel with you for life.
Why become a referee?
- Earn money with flexible hours — most high-school-aged referees earn more per game than an equivalent casual job
- Stay active and fit while being involved in the game you love
- Build a deeper understanding of basketball and its rules
- Meet new people and travel to tournaments with referees from across Australia
- Develop communication, confidence, independence and decision-making
Getting started
The entry point is the C1 Referee course: self-paced online modules on etrainu, a half-day in-person clinic at the Snakepit, then a 4–6 week mentor program where you referee real games alongside a referee coach or senior referee until you’re ready to be assessed. Minimum age is 13. See Referee courses for each step.
Minimum age
13 for the C1 course. We take Year 7 students as a matter of course and Year 6 students turning 13 during the term case by case.
Pay
Referees are paid per game according to their accreditation level and experience, and pay rises as you move up the pathway. Ask the referee coordinator for the current rate card.
Expectations
- Hold a current Basketball NSW / Basketball Illawarra registration before being rostered — referees registered as players are covered, but must tell us
- Submit availability at the start of each season and check the published roster each week
- Unavailable for a published game? Find a replacement of the same level or above and tell the coordinator
- Report to the game supervisor 15 minutes before your first game, in full uniform with your own whistle
- Referee at least two games a week during the season to keep your badge current
- Abide by the Basketball Illawarra and Basketball NSW codes of conduct
Uniform
Trainees wear the shirt issued at the clinic. Accredited referees wear a striped referee shirt, black shorts (local competition) or black pants (finals, representative and NBL1) and running shoes. Referee gear is available from the Hawks shop.