Ref Junkies Academy currently offers multiple programs for those interested.
New Officials - Brand new officials should plan on attending at least two Skill Clinics and one Mechanics Class. This will provide 8-10 training sessions in front of college clinicians to build the fundamentals required to officiate basketball at all levels.
Frank - New Officials: Ref Junkies recommends attending as many free training sessions as you can in your first year. We have 4 six weeks sessions in-conjunction with Hoops for Christ Skills Leagues. You will be taught by those that started Ref Junkies Academy and those that have gone through the program and have moved up the Officiating ranks. These free training sessions will help provide you with the fundamental foundation to begin Officiating and continue to build upon that foundation and move up the Officiating ranks.
Current Officials - Current officials should expect to attend two or three sessions during a clinic. Instruction will be specific to mechanics, communication and philosophy.
Frank - Current: Ref Junkies recommends attending 2-3 weeks out of 6 training. This can help one's Court presence, refining mechanics and coverage areas and becoming a crew chief. All things that can help lead to a better schedule, bigger games, postseason and more.
Officials Interested in NCAAW - These officials are specifically working towards NCAAW. Differences and nuance of women's game and mechanics discussed.
Frank - NCAAW: These sessions are specific to NCCAW mechanics, coverage and terminology. These sessions help prepare you for summer camps and increase on'es chances of getting hired to work College Women's. Ref Junkies has helped 10 of our current Officials in the past 2 years get into College Women's at NAIA & D3 Level and helped some add Conferences worked up to D2 Level.
Financial Aid - No individual will be refused training for lack of funds. All training provided is at no cost to the student.
Scholarship - RJA provides a scholarship to two students (male/female) each year to attend the college level camp of their choosing.
Frank - Provide Full or Partial?
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Ref Junkies Academy was formally established in 2022
Years before there was a name, referees from far and near, gather regularly to work on the craft of officiating as both teacher and student. As paths continued to cross and ideas continued to be shared it was realized there are three main fundamentally simple yet important points being neglected that has contributed to the problem of declining numbers of sport officials.
The three-points of emphasis addressing the situation to effect meaningful change are:
Recruitment of New Officials
Training New & Current Officials
Supporting Officials
As individuals, each official is accountable to address the three-points of emphasis for the betterment of their sports and communities. It is this idea that Ref Junkies Academy was born but had yet to be realized. New and existing officials were recruited over a years time to take part in training programs. Those that committed were provided with not only on court training but continuous support and opportunities to improve their craft in a healthy environment. It is these students growth and successes within officiating that was the catalyst for the formation of Ref Junkies Academy.