The Heart of Basketball in the Waimakariri and Hurunui Districts.
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini"
Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.
With FNBB 2026 just around the corner, we will be seeking expressions of interest from those keen to referee for the upcoming competition.
Key Dates:
February - 12th, 19th, 26th
March - 5th, 12th, 19th
February - 13th, 20th, 27th
March - 6th, 13th, 20th
After gathering valuable feedback from our community and reviewing other refereeing programs across New Zealand, we’re introducing several updates for 2025 to improve the experience for our referees.
Key Changes made 2025:
1. Increased Reimbursement Rates:
https://tinyurl.com/NewFNBBRemibursement
Referee reimbursement rates have been updated to better reflect the time and effort referees dedicate to FNBB. Rates will also increase progressively as referees gain experience and skills.
2. Mandatory Training for New Referees:
All new referees will be required to attend training sessions specific to each shirt level. In the past, training processes were flexible and inconsistently tracked. To ensure every referee receives accurate rule instruction and essential guidance, participation in designated training sessions is now a requirement.
New Referees - TBC
Yellow, Red and Black Shirt Referees - TBC
These mandatory workshops will be at MainPower Stadium. New Referees who do not attend the training evening may not be able to referee. Existing Referees who sign up and do not attend the Referee Training will be followed up with. Please bring a whistle and your own pen.
3. Structured Onboarding and Mentorship
New referees will begin their FNBB journey with a four-week training period. During this time, they will work 1:1 with a Referee Mentor to build confidence and skills.
After four weeks, an assessment will determine if the referee is ready to officiate independently.
Referees ready for independent officiating will transition to the Yellow Shirt level and receive reimbursement at the corresponding yellow shirt rate.
Referees needing additional support will continue working 1:1 with a mentor until they are confident and capable of officiating independently.
Note: Reimbursement begins once a referee can officiate 3x3 games independently without active mentor support.
4. Transition from 3x3 to 5x5
Yellow Shirt referees who demonstrate confidence in officiating 3x3 games will be offered additional training to transition to 5x5 games where possible.
This transition will be supported by Referee Mentors to help referees adapt their skills to the new format.
During this time, referees will continue to be reimbursed at their standard rate.
If further support is needed, a personalized development plan will be created to help referees meet their goals.
5. Code of Conduct Requirement
All referees will be required to sign a Code of Conduct, valid for the remainder of the year, to uphold the standards of FNBB officiating.
The link to the Code of Conduct is here - CLICK HERE
https://tinyurl.com/FNBBRefereeCodeOfConduct
This must be signed before you start refereeing FNBB
Any questions in the meantime, please flick an email to
Matt Lint gm@northcanterbury.basketball
NORTH CANTERBURY BASKETBALL
Mainpower Stadium,
289 Coldstream Road,
QUICK LINKS