Experience of a lifetime
Chris Spooney officiates in men’s basketball finals at Canada Games
Chris Spooney began officiating basketball in his home community of Sydney Mines as a pastime.
That was 15 years ago. Today, Spooney, who now lives in Blind River, Ont., continues to be involved in the basketball community as an official, working college and university games across Ontario.
This summer, Spooney added to his already impressive officiating career, being selected as one of 12 officials to participate in the 2017 Canada Games in Winnipeg, Man., something he considers to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“You don’t receive too many opportunities like this in your career, so I wanted to make the best of it and enjoy the opportunity that was provided to me,” said Spooney. “The games were extremely competitive throughout the tournament.”
Earlier this year, the 31-yearold was one of 25 Ontario officials selected to try out for the Canada Games. Evaluators attended the selection camp and ranked the officials based on games they worked during the weekend camp.
Spooney was ranked No. 1 on the men’s side of the evolutions, earning his spot to represent Ontario at the Canada Games.
“It was an extreme honour to represent Cape Breton and also Ontario on the national stage,” said Spooney. “I’m a proud Caper at heart, born and raised, so it is always nice to showcase where you’re from.”
Spooney, who played basketball during his high school years, graduated from Memorial High School in Sydney Mines in 2004, before later graduating from Cape Breton University in 2009, all during that time continuing to officiate the game he loved.
He moved to Ontario after
graduating with a bachelor of health sciences degree, majoring public health, and accepted a position with Algoma Public Health as a public health inspector. He’s now the manager of environmental health with the department.
During the seven-day tournament, Spooney officiated five round robin games, before being selected as one of three officials to work the championship game between Team Ontario and Team Alberta on Aug. 4, a game televised on national television, adding to his impressive resume.
Spooney didn’t find out he’d be participating in the championship game until the night before the national event.
“I was extremely humbled to be selected to referee such a prestigious game,” said Spooney, recalling the moment he found out he was doing the game. “I do believe that all 12 officials could have been selected to work that game and all would have done a great job.”
Spooney said although he was nervous, knowing the game was to be aired on TSN, he was more excited than anything.
“I was really just trying to enjoy the game and enjoy the opportunity,” he said. “I was trying to make sure that I was focused and that I was working just as hard as the players who were on the floor.”
“What’s better than having a front row seat watching some of the best athletes in Canada showcase their talent?”
On the court, Team Ontario defeated Team Alberta 108-65 to capture the men’s championship title.
The most memorable moment from the tournament for Spooney was meeting some of the best officials from across the country.
“They truly are great people that made the tournament so much fun to be part of,” said Spooney.
Spooney credits fellow basketball officials Mary-Alice Butts, Doug MacKenzie and Sandy Kearney for helping him get to where he is today in his officiating career.
Spooney, who visits Cape Breton at least twice a year, encourages young officials involved in the game to ask questions, work hard and to continue to improve each game.
“You may get yelled at but that’s part of the game,” said Spooney. “It’s a very competitive game and even more so at the higher levels — It’s a great way to challenge yourself.”