It’s a dream come true
KYLIE Voevodin persistence.
A basketball referee for nearly three decades, Voevodin will this weekend have her crowning moment when she takes control of a WNBL Grand Final for the first time.
Not only has she been appointed as a referee, Voevodin’s also been given the honour of crew chief for game one of the Southside Flyers versus Canberra Capitals series.
“I’m really pumped,” Voevembodies odin said. “I’ve been working really hard, every year I do, but this year did seem a little bit different.
“My role is to run the crew, when we’re on court we’re equal. But my role is to be the one who’s running the game.
“I would say this is my career highlight.”
Voevodin was on the floor during the heated semi-finals series between the Melbourne Boomers and Capitals and expected more of the same during the decider.
“Any teams are feisty and very intense,” she said.
“The grand final series takes it up another notch. The semifinal series between Canberra and Melbourne was definitely feisty, so our role is to be sharp and ready to control the match.”
Voevodin said the key for any referee wanting to reach the upper echelon of officiating was putting in the work. She said both physical and mental preparation were crucial.
“For me I exercise quite a lot working out in the gym. I watch a lot of tape to get to know the players and their playing trends. “To be a referee you have to have thick skin and not take things personally.
“It’s a quick game so our decision making has to be quite on point as well. It’s a lot of work.”
The veteran official said over the past five years she’d taken a more proactive approach in mentoring the next wave of referees, a role she’s fully embraced.
“A lot of the younger girls I’m working with are really emerging and that would have been shown in the semi-finals when there were four Queensland referees appointed to the series.
“That was pretty unheard of so a big accomplishment for women referees in Queensland.
“Throughout my career there’s not been too many females coming through. In this day and age being a female in a female sport is definitely an advantage.
“Our communication is relatable and it’s just a great time for women in sport.”
Townsville Basketball general manager Mark Wrobel said it was great to see the city have a strong representation in the grand final through Voevodin, Capitals star Keely Froling and coach Paul Goriss.
“Kylie’s been reffing for 29 years in Townsville Basketball and to see her finally get rewarded by getting to a grand final in the WNBL I’m sure is a highlight for her,” Wrobel said.
Game one of the grand final series will start tomorrow at 4pm.