Barcelona, Spain – The Federació Catalana de Basquetbol (FCBQ) unveiled ‘ÀrbitrA amb A’ (Referee with A) this past Friday, March 13th, at the Residència Esportiva Joaquim Blume in Esplugues de Llobregat. The project is designed to boost participation, retention and visibility of women in basketball officiating throughout Catalonia.
The initiative aims to address a long-standing imbalance in representation within the officiating ranks. While basketball enjoys broad popularity in Catalonia, the number of female referees has historically lagged behind their male counterparts. ‘ÀrbitrA amb A’ seeks to change that through a multi-pronged approach focused on recruitment, training, and ongoing support.
The launch event drew prominent figures from the Catalan sporting community, including Berni Álvarez, the Conseller d’Esports (Sports Counselor) of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Ferran Aril, President of the FCBQ; Lluís Vergés, President of the FCBQ’s Committee of Referees and Table Officials; and Yasmina Alcaraz, an international ACB referee and a key driver behind the project. Alcaraz, originally from Girona, brings a wealth of experience to the initiative, having officiated at the highest levels of the sport.
According to the FCBQ, the project will reinforce the growth of the Committee of Referees and Table Officials through a strategy that connects the recruitment of new referees with initial training and continuous mentorship. This will be integrated with the existing Mentoria d’Àrbitres (Referee Mentorship) program, providing a structured pathway for aspiring officials.
Conseller d’Esports Berni Álvarez praised the FCBQ’s initiative, calling it “a pioneering and encouraging project that is particularly exciting.” He emphasized the ambition of the plan and the need for collaboration from various stakeholders, including the FCBQ, to achieve real empowerment for women in the field. Álvarez highlighted the importance of organizations like the FCBQ taking the lead in fostering inclusivity within sports.
‘ÀrbitrA amb A’ encompasses several key components. These include targeted recruitment campaigns designed to attract women to officiating, a comprehensive training plan tailored to the needs of new referees, and a mentorship program pairing experienced officials with those just starting out. A communication campaign, built around the slogan ‘Dona’t a l’arbitratge – Fes-te ÀrbitrA’ (Offer yourself to refereeing – Develop into a Referee), will aim to raise awareness and promote the opportunities available.
Yasmina Alcaraz articulated the core vision of the project, stating, “ÀrbitrA amb A is not just a project, We see a determined commitment to the present and future of refereeing.” She further emphasized that it’s an opportunity to “open doors, generate role models, and build new paths so that more and more girls and women can find refereeing a space for growth, leadership, and passion for sport.”
The FCBQ’s move aligns with a broader trend in Spanish sports towards greater gender equality. In January 2025, the Federación Española de Baloncesto (FEB), the Conselleria d’Esports de la Generalitat de Cataluña, and the FCBQ signed a strategic agreement for the period 2025-2028 to promote major sporting events in Catalonia. Mundo Deportivo reported on the agreement, which aims to solidify Catalonia’s position as a hub for high-level basketball.
While the specific details of the training curriculum and mentorship pairings are still being finalized, the FCBQ has indicated a commitment to providing high-quality resources and support for all participants. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of female referees, ensuring a more diverse and representative officiating workforce in Catalonia. This initiative isn’t simply about numbers; it’s about fostering a more inclusive environment where women feel empowered to pursue careers in all aspects of basketball, including officiating.
The Residència Esportiva Joaquim Blume, where the project was launched, is a significant training center for Catalan athletes. Its selection as the venue underscores the FCBQ’s commitment to integrating ‘ÀrbitrA amb A’ into the broader ecosystem of Catalan basketball development.
The FCBQ has not yet announced a specific timeline for the rollout of all components of ‘ÀrbitrA amb A,’ but officials have indicated that recruitment efforts will begin immediately. Interested individuals can expect further details on training schedules and mentorship opportunities in the coming weeks. The project represents a significant investment in the future of Catalan basketball and a clear signal of the FCBQ’s dedication to promoting gender equality within the sport.
Next steps for the FCBQ include finalizing the training curriculum and establishing the mentorship program. The federation will also be actively promoting the initiative through its website and social media channels. Fans and aspiring referees can stay updated on the project’s progress by visiting the FCBQ website.
What are your thoughts on this initiative? Share your comments below and let us know how you think this will impact the future of basketball officiating in Catalonia!
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