Whistle blower Riley has NBL in sights

BUDDING basketball referee Riley Chapman has set his sights on the National Basketball League after securing a swag of awards this year.

The 14-year-old, who has had the whistle in hand for three years, was recently named as Cairns Basketball’s representative Referee of the Year.

Earlier this year, Chapman (pictured) was invited to the under-16 girls state championships and then sent to under-14 boys tournament by Cairns Basketball Association.

He was awarded the Golden Whistle at the under-16 girls tournament for his improvement, teamwork and efforts at the championship and he then went on to be appointed to the gold medal game at the under-14 boys state championships.

Chapman, who is deaf and uses hearing aids, said he decided to begin refereeing to improve his knowledge of the game.

“I wanted to get to know the game a bit better when I started out,” Chapman said.

“I looked at it as an opportunity to get better and learn the game more as I was still playing as well as referring.

“I am hoping to referee at the under-14 national boys tournament next year. Maybe in a couple of years’ time I would be keen to do some QBL games and if I progress I would love to do some NBL games.”

Chapman also refereed the women’s Super League grand final recently.

The Cairns Basketball referee program has seen continued growth with seven referees who attended the junior state titles performing very well.

— JORDAN GERRANS