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| Robert Shaul & Cory Connors |
Referees Robert Shaul and Cory Connors, both from MMBRA, were courtside to officiate the fast-paced action. The event featured teams made up of former U Sports and current College Division 1-level players, bringing elite skill and competition to the half-court format. With its 12-second shot clock and games played to 21, 3x3 basketball continues to deliver an electrifying experience for fans and players alike.
As the popularity of 3x3 basketball rises across the province, MMBRA has steadily expanded its presence in this growing format, with more of our officials taking part in tournaments and high-profile events each year. Our referees continue to adapt and excel in this dynamic environment, helping ensure quality officiating remains at the heart of the sport’s development in Quebec.
The Basketball Québec 3x3 Circuit runs through the summer, with several more stops scheduled across the province. MMBRA looks forward to supporting this initiative and contributing to its continued success.
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| Pierre Marion, Max Audette, Jayson Stiell, Yannick Payette |
On Sunday, May 26th, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) hosted the groundbreaking 2025 Summer Classic—an outdoor professional basketball game held at Stade IGA in Montreal. This event was more than just a game; it marked a historic first in Canadian pro basketball and drew an unprecedented crowd of 9,305 fans, setting a new attendance record for the Montreal Alliance.
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| IGA Stadium |
MMBRA was front and center in this historic moment, with three of our top officials—Jayson Stiell, Max Audette, and Yannick Payette—selected to officiate the event. Joining them was veteran referee coach Pierre Marion, who provided support and mentorship as part of the officiating crew.
The game between the Montreal Alliance and the Ottawa BlackJacks was held under the open sky in a bold outdoor venue, bringing together fans, athletes, and officials in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. From the moment of tip-off, the energy was electric, and the event stood as a symbol of the league’s growth and innovation.
Unfortunately, due to condensation on the court and concerns over player safety, the game was halted at halftime and declared a no contest. Despite the early ending, the event remains a milestone in Canadian basketball, showcasing the sport’s increasing popularity and its potential to reach new heights.
MMBRA is proud of its strong presence in this national showcase. We congratulate Jayson, Max, Yannick, and Pierre for their professionalism, poise, and representation of our association at this major event.
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| Shawn Alleyne, Charles Parent-Spioneck, Laurence Laviolette, Vincent Désilets |
MMBRA is proud to highlight the participation of one of our dedicated officials, Shawn Alleyne, at this year’s ModernPro Elite Referee Camp held in Calgary, Alberta from May 16–18, 2025.
Shawn was among a select group of officials from Quebec—including Charles Parent-Spioneck, Laurence Laviolette, and Vincent Désilets—who attended the high-level camp designed to develop and identify elite officiating talent from across Canada.
Hosted by ModernPro Elite, the three-day camp featured instruction and mentorship from some of the highest levels of the game, including active officials from the NBA, WNBA, G League, and FIBA—many of whom were at the Paris Olympics this past summer. The camp also attracted interest from the NBA’s Recruiting and Pipeline program, with an invitation extended to a member of their scouting team.
The camp opened with a classroom session on Friday, followed by two full days of on-court refereeing, real-time feedback, and video breakdown of game situations. Officials had the chance to apply what they learned immediately, with detailed post-game analysis and mentorship from elite-level clinicians. The weekend also included group meals and a Saturday night social, creating space for networking and community building among officials from all over the country.
Shawn’s participation in this elite development opportunity reflects the MMBRA’s ongoing commitment to excellence in officiating. We are proud to see our members continuing to pursue growth, sharpen their skills, and represent Quebec officiating on national and international stages.
Congratulations to Shawn, and the other Quebec officials for their involvement in this year’s ModernPro Elite Camp—we look forward to seeing the impact of your experience back on the court!
The Montreal Alliance tipped off its 2025 CEBL season with a high-energy matchup on Sunday, as the Brampton Honey Badgers faced off against the hometown Montreal Alliance. The game, held at Verdun Auditorium at 4 PM, brought together not only two of the league’s most exciting teams—but also three of MMBRA’s own on the officiating crew.
Representing the Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referees Association at the season opener were officials Max Audette, Yannick Payette, and Greg Southward. Each brought their professionalism, composure, and experience to the floor, setting the tone for what promises to be another competitive season in Canada’s premier professional basketball league.
Officiating a CEBL game is a significant accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and growth each official has demonstrated over the years. For MMBRA, it's also a point of pride to see local referees trusted with the responsibility of managing games at the highest level of Canadian basketball.
Quebec is proudly represented in the CEBL officiating ranks by six officials: Max Audette, François Brouillette, Maripier Malo, Yannick Payette, Greg Southward, and Jayson Stiell. Five of these six—everyone except Malo—are MMBRA officials. In addition, Quebec is home to two referee coaches working at the CEBL level: Pierre Marion and Mike Homsy, both of whom are also long-time contributors to MMBRA. Their presence highlights the strong foundation of officiating talent being developed right here in Montreal.
This Sunday, May 25, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) will host a landmark event in Canadian basketball history: the first-ever professional 5-on-5 outdoor game, dubbed Éclipse: Match Sous les Étoiles. The Montreal Alliance will face the Ottawa BlackJacks at IGA Stadium, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Originally set for May 23, the game was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Adding to the significance of this event, three esteemed officials from the Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referees Association (MMBRA)—Jayson Stiell, Max Audette, and Yannick Payette—will be on the officiating crew. Their participation underscores MMBRA's vital role in supporting high-caliber officiating within the CEBL and highlights the association's contribution to the growth of professional basketball in Quebec. Fans can witness this historic game live on TSN and RDS.
On Saturday, May 10th, the Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referees Association (MMBRA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Maz Hall in Lachine. The event brought together officials from across the association to reflect on the past season, recognize outstanding contributions, and look ahead to the future of officiating in our association.
This year’s AGM was not just about business—it was also a celebration of community. Members enjoyed a delicious Portuguese meal and the chance to reconnect in person after a long and busy season on the court.
One of the highlights of the evening was our annual awards presentation. We recognized several referees for their exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment to the MMBRA. These awards reflect the high standards and professionalism our members bring to every game.
🏆 2025 Award Winners
Shawn Alleyne - Harry Hus Award for Referee of the Year
Elias Najem - Nick Sidorenko Award for Rookie of the Year
Brian Stewart - President's Award
Jim de la Mothe - Tony Payne Award
Presidents' Awards
Shawn Alleyne, Wandy Beauzile, Cameron McGowan, Sheradyne Prosper, Gilles Eric Fotso, Loukas Armaos, Paul Gallant, Yves Dupuis, Hagop Iknadossian, Lilianne Benoit, Daniel Dupuis, John Geraghty, Mike Handinero, Winston Murray, Gavin Sealy
Years of Service Awards
Howard Liebman - 60 Years
Sandor Finklestein - 40 Years
Mike Homsy - 40 Years
John Neeson - 40 Years
Danny Raschella - 35 Years
Gilles Côté - 30 Years
Amy Bakos - 15 Years
Leslie Alleyne - 10 Years
Wandy Beauzile - 10 Years
Frédérique Lorrain - 10 Years
Dexter Maynard - 10 Years
Howard Wolfe - 10 Years
Everton Wuelfrath - 10 Years
Geneviève Pilon - 10 Years
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients! Your efforts do not go unnoticed and serve as a benchmark for excellence in our officiating community.
As we wrap up another successful year, we thank all members for their continued dedication to the game. Here's to another strong season ahead!
Consult the video album from the event here.
Consult the photo album from the event here.
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