A passion for basketball has brought Kylee Howard around North America for training camps, but it has done more than spark travel opportunities, as she continues to explore the sport through the perspective of an official.

Growing up in Regina, Howard first got into basketball as an athlete in grade three, committing herself to the sport all the way through her attendance at Brandon University as a point guard. It was after her university career wrapped up that a long-time acquaintance suggested she take on the sport from another position, as a referee.

The path from athlete to official was not direct and came with a transition period, as well as challenges to how she was treated. However, Howard noted that there were lots of individuals and mentors eager to offer assistance both when she first started and now, helping to bolster her desire to continue officiating.

“I definitely think there is a learning curve when you first start. Usually you start with two officials, myself and someone else, so I had lots of good mentors who helped me if I wasn’t sure,” she said. “Coaches would say something to me but not [the other officials], so they help me work through it and defend my honour, so that I wanted to stay involved.”

With her continued learning and involvement in mind, Howard sought out ways to progress in the role.

As part of the Saskatchewan Basketball Officials Commission, Howard was eligible to apply for the Sask Sport Officials Professional Development Grant, funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund. She has since been the recipient of the grant on three occasions, taking each investment to attend various development camps around North America.

“I do not think that would have been possible without the [support of grant funding] to travel to Atlanta, Calgary, and Langley, B.C. Sask Sport’s grant helped me go to those camps and grow as an official.”

The Officials Development Grant’s purpose is to help assist officials in enhancing their skills through participation in professional development workshops, officials’ conferences and other educational opportunities. To apply for the grant, an official must be supported by a Provincial Sport Organization.

The most valuable aspect that Howard has gained from attending camps are the relationships she has built with others. It is through the conversations she has had with officials that she has learned most of her new techniques.

“As officials, we follow the concept that we are never going to be perfect. We all share our stories, so then others can apply it to [their] games, and we learn things from the videos [we watch at camp],” said Howard. “Once you become an official, you just want to help each other grow and learn.”

Interested officials, who are supported by a Provincial Sport Organization can learn more and apply for the Officials Professional Development Grant.