Good Day, MABO!
What a fantastic time of year—playoff basketball is upon us as we enter March and experience our own Manitoba March Madness! It’s truly one of the most exciting times of the season.
I want to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks to each of you who have contributed to basketball officiating during the 2024–2025 season. As we know, basketball is now a year-round sport, but March brings a whole new level of excitement with playoffs across multiple leagues.
Over the next couple of weeks, playoffs will conclude in various leagues across the province, including adult leagues, MHSAA, middle school leagues, WMBA, and Peg City Youth. If you’re officiating in these games, congratulations—it’s a testament to your dedication and commitment throughout the season.
As officials, let’s bring our best to these games. Remember, when you step onto the court, you’re not just representing yourself—you’re representing every official who wears the jersey. The reputation of all referees is shaped by individual experiences, so take that to heart in every game. Arrive early, prepare with your partner(s), apply consistent play-calling, control the game, work hard, and most importantly—have fun!
Last night, I had the privilege of watching an incredibly competitive game that went into overtime. The officials executed all of the above, and it was a joy to witness. Their efforts were recognized and praised by both teams and the crowd—a great reminder of the impact we can have when we bring our best. Let’s ensure this same level of professionalism and excellence is displayed across the province!
As we transition into spring, the basketball season remains as busy as ever, with adult leagues, youth leagues, provincial tournaments, 3x3 competitions, and many other events on the horizon.
MABO continues to grow, and we have some exciting things ahead! This spring, we’ll be rolling out more educational opportunities, so keep an eye out for updates.
One of our key initiatives this spring is MARCH to 100! This campaign is focused on growing MABO by adding 100 new officials to our ranks. This past season, we reached an all-time high of 276 senior members and 190 junior members—an incredible achievement! But we need to keep pushing. Our goal is to reach 376 senior officials!
More details will be shared soon as we ramp up the MARCH to 100 campaign. In the meantime, each of you can play a role in recruiting new officials. Talk to players, encourage friends and family, and send any interested individuals my way—we need everyone’s help to grow our officiating community!
Enjoy Manitoba March Madness, and remember—bring your best self to every game. Stay professional, work hard, and give teams the quality officiating they deserve.
I’m always available, so don’t hesitate to reach out anytime.
Follow MABO on Instagram and Facebook (@maboofficials) and please send any pictures and stories from Manitoba March Madness to media@maboref.com!
Once again, thank you all for your contributions to MABO and basketball officiating in Manitoba!
Yours in Basketball,
Reid Kenyon
MABO President