Hello Everyone

[The Canuck]

Hello everyone, I've been reading this forum as a guest for some time now and have decided, at the tail end of my fifth season officiating high school basketball (eighth season overall) to register. My name is Jake and I referee in Vancouver, British Columbia, where there aren't too many guys willing to really sit down and talk basketball. I have long felt the need for a community of officials and hope I've found it here!

[Mark Padgett]

Welcome, Jake. I've been to your city. I do have one question, however. Why is Victoria on Vancouver Island but Vancouver is not?

[mick]

Hello everyone, I've been reading this forum as a guest for some time now and have decided, at the tail end of my fifth season officiating high school basketball (eighth season overall) to register. My name is Jake and I referee in Vancouver, British Columbia, where there aren't too many guys willing to really sit down and talk basketball. I have long felt the need for a community of officials and hope I've found it here!

Welcome, Jake.
Yeah, this is such a place.

[The Canuck]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Welcome, Jake. I've been to your city. I do have one question, however. Why is Victoria on Vancouver Island but Vancouver is not?

Vancouver the city and the island are separately named for Captain George Vancouver, the British explorer. Vancouver, Washington was also named for him. Victoria was named for the former queen of England, again independently of the naming of the Vancouvers. My guess would be that it's a bit like Washington state and Washington, DC in that respect.

[Big2Cat]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

Vancouver the city and the island are separately named for Captain George Vancouver, the British explorer. Vancouver, Washington was also named for him. Victoria was named for the former queen of England, again independently of the naming of the Vancouvers. My guess would be that it's a bit like Washington state and Washington, DC in that respect.

So take that, Mark!

[Mark Padgett]

Actually, it's very confusing to people from outside this area to see a city in Washington state named Vancouver. People driving north on I-5 through Portland who see the Vancouver exit signs think they're about to enter Canada.

There's a movement to change the name of that city to Diebler.

[DC_Ref12]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Actually, it's very confusing to people from outside this area to see a city in Washington state named Vancouver. People driving north on I-5 through Portland who see the Vancouver exit signs think they're about to enter Canada.

I'm sorry, but then those people are idiots.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

Hello everyone, I've been reading this forum as a guest for some time now and have decided, at the tail end of my fifth season officiating high school basketball (eighth season overall) to register. My name is Jake and I referee in Vancouver, British Columbia, where there aren't too many guys willing to really sit down and talk basketball. I have long felt the need for a community of officials and hope I've found it here!

Jake, my friend Steve T. is in Vancouver. Do you know him? He'll talk baskbetball anytime!

[Kostja]

Hey Jake,

Welcome to the forum. 5 years ago I spent a couple of months in Vancouver and I even got to referee high school games there. Maybe we have refereed together or attended the same referee course ... Unfortunately I don't remember many games but I met a lot of people who loved to talk basketball

Cheers,
Kostja

[Grant Giles]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

Hello everyone, I've been reading this forum as a guest for some time now and have decided, at the tail end of my fifth season officiating high school basketball (eighth season overall) to register. My name is Jake and I referee in Vancouver, British Columbia, where there aren't too many guys willing to really sit down and talk basketball. I have long felt the need for a community of officials and hope I've found it here!

Jake,

My name is Grant Giles and I too am a member of the BC Basketball Officials Association, and Educator for the East Kootenay Association.

I assume you are a member of the Vancouver and District Association. I have always found BCBOA members love to sit and chat about officiating, usually over a beer after a game.

Start with Bill Denney. He is, as you probably know, quite approachable and there is not a better rules and mechanics guy in Canada. Need his number or e-mail, check the BCBOA website (bcboa.org).

Hope I was of some help.

[The Canuck]

Hello Grant! Good to see another BCBOA on this forum!

I have spoken with Bill in the past and found him to be most helpful; however, because of my current situation (I am a college student), I don't always have time to sit down with local officials. Even as I type this I am getting my books together for my class tonight, which will be after I go to work. In time, Bill will be on my speed dial, but for now, for time reasons, I have registered for the forum.

Plus it's hilarious to see these guys jaw at each other sometimes

I gotta say though Grant, after reading some of these stories about coaches and such, I at times feel lucky that I officiate here in Canada, that's for sure.

[Kostja]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

I gotta say though Grant, after reading some of these stories about coaches and such, I at times feel lucky that I officiate here in Canada, that's for sure.

Oh, yes! Coming from Europe, I was really surprised how polite and classy everybody was. I haven't met a single coach who yelled at me while I refereed in Vancouver!

[Grant Giles]

Originally Posted by The Canuck

Hello Grant! Good to see another BCBOA on this forum!

I have spoken with Bill in the past and found him to be most helpful; however, because of my current situation (I am a college student), I don't always have time to sit down with local officials. Even as I type this I am getting my books together for my class tonight, which will be after I go to work. In time, Bill will be on my speed dial, but for now, for time reasons, I have registered for the forum.

Plus it's hilarious to see these guys jaw at each other sometimes

I gotta say though Grant, after reading some of these stories about coaches and such, I at times feel lucky that I officiate here in Canada, that's for sure.

Jake,

You might ask some of the veterans in your association to watch you or get a phone number for someone other than Denney to chat with. I suggest Kelly Conrad. He and I go way back and he is an outstanding official. If you get a chance to watch him, any official could learn from him. I believe he is a WABO member.

Did you apply for a Provincial assignment this year?

I suggest applying to to the BCBOA Development Program to attend an Officials' Camp. Camps really helped me improve. I'm not even sure if Denney is doing the Island Camp in Nanaimo. Check stripezone.com for camps in the Pacific Northwest.

Food for thought.

Grant