HONIARA (Solomon Islands) – In the heart of the Pacific, a new generation of female referees is rising, whistle in hand and eyes on the international stage.
At the recent FIBA Melanesian Cup, the spotlight wasn’t just on the athletes. It was also on the women in grey shirts, blowing whistles and making calls with growing confidence and authority. Among them were participants of the Rising Whistle Program, a FIBA in Oceania initiative that is transforming the landscape of basketball officiating across the region.
Launched to identify and nurture talented female referees, the program is a cornerstone of FIBA’s Women in Basketball strategic priority with a clear goal; to support female officials on their journey toward obtaining elite-level FIBA referee licenses. Through mentorship, technical training, and international exposure, Rising Whistle is about building the skills, and confidence of emerging female referees.
Joanne Ratu of Fiji is one of the program’s participants in this year’s edition of the program.
“Females need to take the opportunity to do this,” Ratu said. “Back at home, women are always tasked to just stay home in the kitchen, and I want to challenge that stereotype for the next generation. I think we (women) can do the same thing as men, and male referees on the court.”
Ratu credits the program with boosting her confidence and sense of belonging.
“It’s teaching me to have confidence, first and foremost, in myself, and also to learn to be part of a team.”
The program’s impact is already visible. Natasha Ah-Hing, Rising Whistle alumni, recently made history as Tonga’s first-ever FIBA-licensed referee. Her achievement is a beacon for others across the Pacific.
Similarly, Tai Apeang of Tahiti has emerged as a respected figure in the officiating community, known for her leadership and commitment to mentoring younger referees. Her journey through the Rising Whistle pathway has inspired many in Tahiti, and beyond to see refereeing as a viable and empowering avenue in sport.
The Rising Whistle Program is more than a scholarship, it’s a movement.
It’s about rewriting the narrative of who belongs on the court, and ensuring that women from across Oceania have the tools, training, and belief to reach the highest levels of officiating.
“Never think that we cannot be referees,” Ratu said. “Have faith in ourselves that we can rise and take this opportunity to show our potential and our commitment to the game.”
With role models like Ah-Hing and Apeang leading the way, and with the Rising Whistle Program lighting the path, the future of female officiating in Oceania has never looked brighter.
The 2025 edition of the program has been supported by PacificAus Sports through FIBA’s Women in Basketball Strategic initiative.
About PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.