In a groundbreaking moment for basketball in Canada, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) marked history with its first all-female officiating crew during a game in Ottawa. The trio, comprising Maripier Malo, Fei Xiang, and Christine Vuong, took to the court to officiate the game between the Ottawa BlackJacks and the Montreal Alliance. This event is a significant step towards gender equality in sports, showcasing the increasing presence and recognition of female officials in professional basketball.
MP Malo, a local Quebec official, is part of our neighbouring referee association in Montreal, COBB. Malo, Xiang and Vuong are counted among six of the CEBL’s 54 referees, up from four last season.
A few MMBRA officials were present in Ottawa to witness this historic moment, along with CEBL referee coach Mike Homsy, who is also a MMBRA official, assigned to work that night's game.
The historic game in Ottawa serves as an inspiration to aspiring female referees, demonstrating that opportunities are expanding, and barriers are being dismantled. The success of MP Malo, Fei Xiang, and Christine Vuong paves the way for more women to pursue careers in sports officiating, knowing that their efforts will be recognized and celebrated.
As we celebrate this landmark event, MMBRA reaffirms its commitment to supporting and promoting diversity within the officiating community. Since 2022, MMBRA has had a "women in officiating" program which aims at promoting and encouraging women in the field. The Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referee Association (MMBRA) celebrates this achievement and looks forward to the continued advancement of female officials in the sport.
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| Christine Vuong, MP Malo, Fei Xiang |
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| Robert Shaul, Mike Homsy, Fei Xiang, MP Malo, Christine Vuong, Shaun Pearce, Cham Fung Lau |
🏀Historic Night in the CEBL! Last night, the first ever CEBL game was officiated by an all-female crew: MP Malo, Fei Xiang, and Christine Vuong. These 3 FIBA officials made history on the court. Congrats!
Posted by Metropolitan Montreal Basketball Referee Association - MMBRA on Wednesday, June 12, 2024
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