Beginning in 2025, new basketball officials will be wearing green whistles as part of the “Green Whistle Initiative”.  By wearing a green whistle, it should be widely understood that the official is new and developing, just like the players on the teams.  Basketball is an action packed, fast-paced sport that can be difficult for a new official to process everything that is happening on the court.

There has been a longstanding misconception that when an official takes a clinic and puts on the uniform, they are ready to become a referee.  Just like the teams learning their systems and in-bound plays, officials need time to learn their positioning, mechanics and application of the rules.  This comes with practice which occurs during games.

The goal of the Green Whistle Initiative is to:

• Protect New Officials
• Raise Awareness
• Encourage Respect
• Prevent Abuse and Harassment
• Promote Support
   

Through this initiative, teams and spectators will know that the official on the court is in the beginner stage of their officiating career.  They are working hard to develop and become a better official with each passing game.  But this will take time and patience from everyone involved. 

With everyone working together, new officials will improve their ability in a safe, abuse-free environment that will help the retention and recruitment of basketball officials.