McKinnon Basketball Association is sharing the stories of our officials across our website and social media, recognising their achievements and celebrating the people who help make our games possible.
It's been a successful 2026 for McKinnon referee Mischa Murray, with appointments to the Under 14 Club Championships in Perth and the National Junior Classic highlighting a memorable year of officiating.
What initially started as an unexpected job opportunity has developed into much more for Mischa, who admits her introduction to refereeing wasn't necessarily part of a long-term plan.
“I started refereeing because it was the only job that got back to me,” Mischa laughed.
Since picking up the whistle, refereeing has provided opportunities well beyond the basketball court, with the friendships she's developed at McKinnon becoming one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“What I enjoy most is the friendships I’ve made along the way. The group at McKinnon feels like a second home rather than a workplace.”
Alongside her own development as an official, Mischa has become a familiar face supporting the next generation of referees at McKinnon.
Regularly supervising across both Saturday and Sunday domestic competitions, she provides guidance and feedback to developing officials, particularly those in white and green shirts taking their early steps in refereeing.
Mischa also works as a referee coach, supporting junior officials with their ongoing development and helping referees prepare for their C2 assessments.
Her commitment to helping others improve has been matched by her own achievements on the court, with appointments to two major junior tournaments in 2026.
At the National Junior Classic, Mischa was selected to officiate the Under 16 Boys Gold Medal game, a significant achievement and one of the highlights of her year.
“Being selected for the U16 Boys Gold Medal game meant a great deal to me because it was the highlight of the tournament and a big step in my refereeing,” she said.
“The atmosphere at every game leading up to the final was great, which made the whole tournament really enjoyable.”
Her trip to Perth for the Under 14 Club Championships provided another memorable experience, although it wasn't just the basketball that made the trip special.
“It was an awesome experience, and not just because of the officiating,” Mischa said.
“The memories I made outside the games, like late-night card games and getting ready each morning with my roommates while listening to music, are what made the trip so memorable.”
While 2026 has provided plenty of highlights on the court, Mischa believes refereeing has also helped her develop valuable skills away from basketball.
For those considering picking up a whistle, her advice is simple.
“My advice to anyone considering refereeing is to sign up and give it a try. It has taught me far more than the rules of the game, including how to stay calm and make clear decisions in high-pressure situations.”
Interested in becoming a referee at McKinnon Basketball Association? Visit our referees page to find out more!