MMBRA Referees Travel North for Cree School Board Championship

Cree School Board Championship

Eastmain, Québec | February 27 – March 1, 2026

Last weekend, five officials from MMBRA made the long journey north to officiate at the annual championship tournament hosted by the Cree School Board in Eastmain, Québec.

The officiating crew consisted of: Kailey Bundalian, Katherine Galli, Owen Kolinski, Bridget Mbaya, Shaun Pearce.

Among the group were two first-year MMBRA rookies, making the trip a valuable development opportunity and a memorable first experience officiating outside the Montreal area.

The officials departed Montreal on Thursday evening, beginning a 13-hour drive north to reach the coastal Cree community of Eastmain. After arriving on Friday, the crew worked throughout the weekend officiating games for the championship tournament, which brings together student-athletes from Cree communities across northern Québec.

This championship event is hosted annually in a different Cree community each year, and MMBRA referees are often selected to travel north to support the tournament. These trips provide valuable opportunities for officials to gain experience while contributing to the continued growth of basketball in northern communities.

Beyond the games themselves, the trip also provided the officials with a unique opportunity to experience the hospitality and culture of the community. Events like the Cree School Board Championship continue to strengthen the relationship between MMBRA officials and northern basketball programs.

Following a full weekend of basketball, the group began the long journey home on Sunday, arriving back in Montreal late Sunday night after an unforgettable trip.