Ref Kailu named to travel to Las Vegas

Torres Strait referee Kailu Luffman was at loss for words when it was announced by Junior NBA Coach Carlos Barossa he’d be travelling to the USA to further his officiating skills.

Barossa made the special announcement during the awards and medals ceremony last weekend at the National Basketball Indigenous Tournament.

Luffman, along with Taimania Jones from West Australia, came forward to receive their Referee Achievement Awards when he surprised everyone with the good news and special reward – they will be both travel to Las Vegas to work with the best referees in the NBA and G League.

“It’s been decided this year that it’s not about the players and coaches, it’s also about the referees,” he said.

“You are to represent with all the passion you have done so throughout your career.”

Luffman and Jones were two of only five referees who travelled with teams to the tournament at the Gold Coast.

He was rewarded for his efforts by officiating the girl’s grand final game.

The 18-year-old has been officiating at the Indigenous Community Basketball League on Waiben at the Thursday Island Sports Complex.

ICBL Coordinator Mick Loban, who also travelled with the team, said Kailu had been a good choice for them to take and his trip to Las Vegas, “should be awesome”.

“He’s very passionate about reffing, at one stage he was passionate about playing basketball, but he told us if he doesn’t make it big in the game of basketball then he’d make it big by reffing, and his dream came true, just like that,” he said.