Most of the time, referees and umpires of sporting events are considered to have done a good job when they’ve gone unnoticed.
But at a basketball tournament in Altona in Friday night, it was those wearing striped shirts and blowing whistles who garnered most of the attention.
In an Australian first, all the referees at the ‘Never Count Us Out’ women’s basketball event on November 29, were hijab wearing Muslims.
Billed as a women’s-exclusive event, ‘Never Count Us Out’ was organised by charity basketball organisation, Shooters Shoot, and along with hijabi referees and four all-female teams, the volunteers, DJ’s, MC, media team and even food vendors were all women too.
Off the court, a scavenger hunt, shooting contest and photo booth kept spectators entertained, while prayers times were scheduled for Magrhib (8.11pm) and Isha (9:48 pm).
Shooters Shoot’s next event will be its fourth anniversary basketball tournament at Seaworks in Williamstown on December 14 and 15.
All photos of the event were taken by Warda Amin and Sarah Pretty.
