Northern California Officials Association — South Section
Basketball officiating built on training, integrity, and community.
NCOA South supports referees across our region with structured training, clear advancement paths, and experienced mentors who care about the game.
How to become a basketball referee
Officiating keeps you close to the game, active on the court, and part of a statewide community of professionals. Most new officials follow three practical steps.
- 1
Reach out and learn the path
Connect with NCOA South to understand local expectations, season timelines, and training requirements for new officials.
- 2
Complete training and onboarding
Attend meetings, classroom sessions, and on-court instruction so you are prepared for real game situations.
- 3
Get assigned and grow
Work games, receive feedback, and advance as an independent contractor official with mentors who support your progress.
Why officials choose the whistle
- Competitive pay for games as an independent contractor.
- Regular exercise and sharp decision-making on the court.
- Stay connected to basketball at every level of play.
- Mentorship, ratings support, and a pathway to advanced assignments.
- Flexible scheduling that fits around many careers and family lives.
- Leadership skills that translate far beyond the gym.
Meetings, training, and apparel
Current and prospective members will find meeting schedules, locations, instructional opportunities, and trusted sources for referee apparel in the member portal as we migrate content from the previous site. Administrators can replace this text anytime from the admin CMS.
Authenticated members
Sign in to access training materials, board contacts, rules Q&A, training hour tracking, evaluations, and committee information.