BOOKING GAMES

How to book referees?

If you want to request OVBABO referees to officiate your games, you need to contact OVBABO Head Assignor – Eric Jordan.

Eric can help you with questions on availability and costs, can assign referees with appropriate experience to your basketball event and will work with you to accommodate your needs and requests as much as possible.

You may reach Eric Jordan at teamjordan005@aol.com 

Booking Guidelines

OVBABO typically books officials for school and club/adult leagues who provide a regular schedule for our Head Assignor ahead of the starting date for each league.  

We also book single games/events, tri-meets (3 teams/2 games per team) and small/medium tournaments (single day/one venue).  These events can usually be arranged by emailing Eric Jordan at least 3 weeks ahead of the proposed date (occasionally single games can be arranged with less than 3 weeks notice).  

OVBABO also provides officials for large tournaments (multiple days/several venues).

Each year, the dates for large tournaments must be established and confirmed by contacting Eric at least 2 months in advance (minimum).   

Black Out Dates/Weekends 2025/26

OVBABO officiates several large weekend tournaments throughout the year.  (Sometimes this involves bringing in extra officials from other associations to meet the demands of these high-volume weekends.) 

During these black out dates, OVBABO will not book other game(s) or tournament requests. 

At this point, for the 2024/25 season, we are anticipating the following black out weekend dates/tournaments (more specific dates TBA):

Chris Paulin Tournament (Kanata) 

Part 1 –  November 28, 29, 30 – 2025

Part 2 – December 5, 6, 7 – 2025

Part 3 – December 12, 13, 14 – 2025

Mike O’Connor Girls Tournament (Gloucester)

    January 30, 31, February 1  – 2026 

Mike Suys Boys Tournament (Gloucester) 

Part 1 – February 20, 21, 22  – 2026 

Part 2 – March 27, 28, 29 – 2026 

U12 Girls Provincial Championship

April 17, 18, 19 – 2026

U14 Boys Provincial Championship

May 1,  2,  3  – 2026 

U17- U19 Boys Provincial Championship  

    May 29, 30, 31 – 2026 

Other Busy Weekends

Aside from the established black out dates (see above) other busy weekends may arise during the basketball season (February can be a particularly busy month).  

Clients may be contacted by the Head Assignor in advance of their tournament and/or game requests to discuss all options in order to cover their events.  These options may include adjusting preferred dates/times, limiting tournament size and/or requesting officials from outside OVBABO to assist.

Important – if busy weekends arise, please remember that the final decision to contact another association to provide officials is always the sole prerogative and responsibility of OVBABO. 

Basic Fee Information

When booking games through our Head Assignor, please ensure that the requests are received in a timely fashion and the total cost payable is confirmed. 

For tournaments, you should receive booking confirmation 3 weeks ahead of the tournament start date.  If this has not happened, please contact Head Assignor – Eric Jordan immediately.  

Any late changes to tournament schedules must be reconfirmed by the Head Assignor.  It is vital that you contact Eric to discuss these changes before implementing. 

All games outside of the City of Ottawa (Club and Schools) will be subject to additional travel charges.

Cash Payments

Any series of games of 6 games or less must be paid in cash, including travel rates if applicable, at the game location prior to commencing the games.

The assignor will make assignments based on a cash basis.

Failure to pay officials at the game location will result in an administrative surcharge if follow-up invoicing is required.

Invoices

Tournaments for clubs, schools or leagues will be invoiced via email by the Treasurer to the tournament coordinator a few days in advance of the event and are payable immediately after the tournament ends.

School Leagues will be invoiced at the mid-season point and after the playoffs. Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.

Leagues will be invoiced at the end of each month.

Payment is payable upon receipt.