New Officials Guide

Welcome to the SABOA. This document will help you understand how the SABOA works and what you can expect as a member of the SABOA.

The SABOA is a non-profit organization that provides basketball officials for Southern Alberta. We provide officials for levels of play ranging from junior high to CIAU (university) basketball. As a member of the SABOA, you would be assigned games by the assigner. As a new official, you can expect to do a full schedule of junior high games and also a few high school games depending on your level. Because we service such a wide geographical area, you will need a method of transportation. Many out of town assignments require you to pick up your partner on the way to your game. The SABOA general membership elects an executive every two years to conduct the business of the association. The positions of the executive are: president, vice-president, past-president, secretary-treasurer, evaluation chair, education chair, and two members-at-large. The executive then appoints an assigner on a yearly basis to assign all members to their games.

As a rookie official you will be expected to attend rookie clinics or camps put on each year by the education chair. You will be taught the basics of officiating, floor positioning and mechanics. There is no cost for these clinics.

What do I need to start officiating? There will be a small start up cost to you. Just like many other jobs, you will need an appropriate uniform. You can pay for this equipment up front or if you know a current SABOA member who is willing to sponsor you, it can be deducted from your payout at the end of the year.

You will need:

• Black shoes. Preferably leather or nu-buck, they should be polishable.
• Blacks athletic socks. You can get these at Costco or WalMart.
• Black pants. Dress pants. Preferably without pleats. Sew the pockets shut. The best pant is a beltless referee pant but they are expensive ($75) and probably not necessary in your first few years.
• Shirt. Supplied by the SABOA treasurer. Cost to be determined. You may want two.
• Whistle. Must be a FOX40 Classic. (not the mini) Supplied by treasurer for $5.
• Lanyard. This is the small cord that attaches the whistle to the shirt. $4.00.
• Rulebook. Cost is approximately $10.

How much and when will I get paid?

As a rookie official you will be paid $31.50 per game. If you stay with the association for another year, you automatically become a "C" rated official and will earn $34 per game. Officials who work on their officiating and meet the advancement requirements (see the Rating Procedures) can be promoted to a "B" status and earn $36.5 per game. The final step to an "A" rating earns an official $39.50 per game.

Mileage. If you have to travel out of your home town to officiate a game, you will be compensated $.40 per kilometer. If both you and your partner must travel, one is expected to pick the other up on the way if possible. If you are coming from different directions, this is obviously impossible and both officials may drive. In any game where mileage is to occur, ALWAYS CALL YOUR PARTNER and make travel arrangements. If for any reason both officials drive and they are coming from the same direction, the mileage will be split by the two officials. We will not pay full mileage to both referees. These situations should always be documented on your mileage forms.

Mileage Forms. Only list games on the forms for which your are claiming mileage. Please observe the due dates carefully and get your sheets in on time.

Deductions. The following is a list of deductions you will notice on your pay statement.

• Any equipment you ordered will be deducted.
• 11% will be deducted from your game fees (not mileage). 6% of this goes to the assigner, 2% goes to the treasurer. The other 3% covers association expenses such as the year end bbq, evaluations, camps, clinics, executive meeting expenses, office costs, etc..
• $20 SABOA fees. This also goes towards association expenses listed above.
• $80 ABOA fees. As a member of SABOA, you will be registered with the provincial body known as the Alberta Basketball Officials Association. The ABOA allows you to officiate provincial championships, provides you with newsletters, and provides insurance coverage for you while officiating.
• Fines. If you miss an assignment, you will be fined to recover the costs incurred by our association. Missing a high school double header will cost you about $130 plus any mileage that may have occurred in getting a replacement official to your game. Bottom line - do not miss any assignments! Failing to hand in your mileage claim sheets can result in $10 fines.
• The SABOA year end BBQ. In May of each year we have a year end BBQ to celebrate another successful season. As an official, you and your significant other are invited to the adult event. All expenses are paid by the association. They include complete steak dinners, pop and alcohol. There are usually prizes to be won and stories to be shared so please attend. You help pay for it with your deductions so come and enjoy the fun!

If you have any questions, feel free to call your members-at-large. They are there to answer your questions.