Vanessa Devlin 100 WNBL Games Milestone
Vanessa Devlin reaches milestone: Officiates 100th WNBL Game, adding another achievement to an impressive Refereeing career
Written by Corey Kennedy
An Olympic 3×3 referee, the 2019 and 2022 South Australian Official of the Year and now 100 games refereed in this WNBL, congratulations to Vanessa Devlin who hits the milestone tonight.
One of the most well-respected referees in the country, Devlin has also been a part of the Asia Cup and Commonwealth Games officiating the Men’s Bronze Medal game and the Women’s Gold Medal game.
Devlin becomes the seventh female referee to reach 100 games in the WNBL following, Sharon Arnold (201), Kylie Voevodin (189*), Carolyn Tsakalos (130), Melissa Andreola (118), Kellie Knight (105) and Clair Stevenson (100) and will become just the 19th official to reach 100 games.
Devlin says she really proud to reach the milestone.
“I’ve loved it, travelling around Australia, referee at the top level of Women’s basketball in Australia, I still get nervous before a game, even 100 later.”
“It’s funny how I am knowing officiating coaches who I used to ref as players, its just a great full circle moment.”
Being from Adelaide it’s fitting that Devlin’s 100th will be during a Lightning game.
“To have my 100th be in an Adelaide game makes it just the little extra special.”
Being just the 7th woman to officiate 100 games isn’t lost on Devlin.
“I have tried to always push the boundaries’ and help show the next generation of female referees that this is a job you can strive for, and I hope now when they see that I have done 100 that they can to.”
WNBL Referee Commissioner John Reardon says Devlin has been vital in not only being an excellent referee but also providing guidance to the next generation.
“Vanessa has consistently provided leadership, help develop and train other referees and has put in a lot of work into Basketball South Australia”
“She has and always will be helping support the women’s national pathways for referees and it’s a fantastic achievement for her to reach 100 games.”
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