Why officiate? and rules question

[Oz Referee]

Lets face it - it's fun to be in power!

That's not the only reason I referee, nor does it explain how I got involved, but it sure does contribute. It's nice to know that while you are on the court you, along with your partner, have ABSOLUTE power.

Being a good referee is understanding how to use, and not abuse, that power.

Like everyone else here has said, refereeing keeps me fit(ish), gives me some extra money, keeps me in touch with the game and is damn good fun. I'll be honest, the confrontation, the adrenaline when you make a "big" call, the noise of the fans, they are all things that make me keep refereeing. But just as much of a buzz is the look on a 6 or 7 year old kids face when (s)he makes their first basket in a game, or runs the wrong way and scores for the opposition - those moments make refereeing fantastic.

Finally, I'm a much better referee that I ever was a player. I have the possibility to become a pro or Olympic standard referee - something I could never have done as a player. Also it is kind of cool for me to be able to go to pro basketball games and say to my friend "See number 15 for Sydney? I refereed his first ever basketball game". That's cool