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Arlene becomes a Basketball Official

TBSF Membership Recruitment and Development Manager, Arlene Ainsley, put our money where her mouth is when she recently enrolled onto a Basketball Table Officials course with the Newcastle Eagles. Taking part in the course last Thursday, alongside 15 other new TBSF members, Arlene says:

“I spend a lot of my time talking to members persuading them to become coaches or officials and I decided it was time that I experienced some of our courses myself so that I can really explain to new members what it’s like.

I’m a huge fan of basketball and it seemed an ideal opportunity this week when, in partnership with the Newcastle Eagles we organised a basketball camp at Benfield Sports Centre and offered a whole range of basketball courses.

When I say I’m a fan of basketball - I mean that I like going to games as a spectator - and know nothing of the technicalities of the sport.  That was soon going to change!

Sitting around the table with other new TBSF members - most of them a lot younger than me - I was a bit nervous at first, but I needn’t have worried.  A bit daunted by the scoring sheet and all its “time-outs” “team fouls” “player fouls” I was amazed when the tutor used my score sheet as a good example to the class.   I learned how to actually keep the score and how to change the colour of the pen you use each quarter. 

Then there was the new sign language!  I didn’t know that crossing your arms in front of your body X-Factor style actually means player 10!

It all became clear during the morning as Graham our course tutor made it all sound so easy and explained everything really well. It was a 4 hour course and the time flew by. 

I can’t wait to go to a game now where I will spectate with a completely different perspective and who knows, you might see me sitting officially at the table one day using my new skills!”

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation is working with Basketball Clubs across the North East who are looking to increase their numbers of coaches and officials and anyone wanting to get involved should get in touch with Arlene at info@tonyblairsportsfoundation.org or telephone 0191 276 0640.