Presidents Welcome

Sept 21, 2021

Welcome all members of the Ottawa Valley Board of Approved Basketball Officials and the basketball community to the 2021-22 season,

We start the fall basketball season once again under the auspices of the Covid contagion. While plans are being made anticipating we be able to have games, it is still far from clear what form that might take.  As officials, we are only able to wait and see what the health officials determine the best course of action. We do know that the community colleges and the university teams  have set schedules beginning later in the season.  The high schools and clubs have yet to determine how or if they will be able to have teams and if they do what kind of schedule would be created.  

While not knowing for certain whether  or not there will be games, referees have been preparing with local, provincial and national zoom meetings to be made aware of the new rule changes that FIBA has approved for the coming season.  While there are many questions regarding how events will eventually play out, guessing at the outcome now is simply not productive.  With everyone else we shall wait until we know for certain whether the leagues will be able to play and  we will be ready to act when we know for sure the course of action.  

A major issue we must contend with as an organization is knowing how many referees from past years will decide to return to officiate and how many are delaying their return or decide to retire. While we hope our numbers stay solid, we also hope to see  new members  join the association. Anyone who wishes to register can do so with the form elsewhere on this page to do so. 

We remain in uncertain days certainly but remain hopeful the Covid issue will be conquered with our society working together.  As soon as we are able to speak with certainty regarding any new policies, we will let all know.   My wish is for you all to stay safe in the coming days as the course of action is determined as we go. 

Paddy Byrne

President

O.V.B.A.B.O.