IN YOUR COURT: Finals need mature referees

Isn't it a shame that a spectacle as wonderful as a national basketball semifinal between what were the two best teams at the tournament was decided on circumstances beyond the control of the two teams?
To appoint two inexperienced referees for such a crucial game influenced the tone and eventual outcome of the game - a loss to Waikato by two points.
National semifinals in any sporting code are not the place to blood referees to gain experience. Rather, the referees at nationals, regardless of the age group, should be assessed throughout the duration of the tournament with appointments made on merit for the semis and finals.
This did not happen and it caused a hostile atmosphere during the Hawke's Bay/Waikato semifinal that would have been prevented should at least one experienced referee officiated.
Perhaps the broken arm of a Waikato player resulting from an intentional foot-tripping would not have occurred or the shameless abuse that came from the mouths of the players ignored by the coach and manager of the Hawke's Bay team and the referees.
Five months of work as a team were spoiled due to the officials' decisions that night.
I know the current argument in this politically correct world is not to apportion blame to the officials and that we need to encourage more referees to officiate the game of basketball, but at the same time they are accountable for their performances.
Even though these boys are competing at a young age (under 13) they still deserve the respect of the national basketball body and the tournament organisers to provide quality referees/officials for semifinals and finals. The referees (boys) that we had were clearly not at the level of controlling a fixture in the white-hot heat of battle and their judgement and control was not at the standard I, or any other parent, player or coach would expect from referees.
The level of refereeing should reflect the level of playing ability from the talented players we have playing this game, which was on show at the national tournament held in Napier this week.
Let us have a fair, disciplined and controlled game officiated by the leading referees at the tournament based on the merit of the officials.
Sadly, basketball is not the only sporting code to be affected by inexperienced officials at crucial stages of tournaments in the lower age groups.
Ross Shield, Tai Mitchell and Roller Mills rugby tournaments suffer the same problem.
I say this as a previous Tai Mitchell rugby coach in the Bay of Plenty.
Intermediate-age players, spend months together preparing for the major tournament of the year, only to be left disappointed due to an inexperienced referee making a crucial decision that cost one team from progressing through the tournament.
Tournament organisers need to get it right. Look after our kids and make sure the standard of refereeing reflects the talent on display at a national tournament, regardless of their age group.
Losing fairly is easier to accept than through circumstances surrounding the influence poor officiating can have on a game.
I know, my son knows, as does his team and coaching staff. Let's get it right.
Murray McKenzie, Hamilton
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