McKinnon officials recognised following outstanding 2025/26 seasons

McKinnon Basketball is proud to recognise the referees, referee coaches, scoretable officials and statisticians who achieved accreditation milestones and earned major appointments throughout the 2025/26 seasons.

Four McKinnon officials progressed to Level 1 referee accreditation, while two achieved Level 2 accreditation. Four officials also completed their Level 1 Referee Coach accreditation, further strengthening the development pathway for officials across the Association.

McKinnon officials were represented at major tournaments and throughout the VJBL finals, including appointments across the VC, VC Reserve, VJL and Regional League Grand Finals.

Ten officials were selected for the National Junior Classic across refereeing, coaching and coordination roles. This included medal game appointments for Jake Lasnitzki and Mischa Murray.

The pathway continued into senior basketball, with Dominic Gehrig, Paul Morrissey and Maty Morrissey appointed to the Big V Finals. McKinnon officials were also represented on the NBL1 Development and referee panels.

McKinnon’s scoretable and statistics officials enjoyed success at state, national and international level. Paul Morrissey worked throughout the NBL and WNBL seasons, including the NBL Finals, and was reappointed to the National Scoretable Panel for 2026/27. He also received two international appointments.

David Nelson earned a VC Championship Grand Final scoretable appointment, while Finn McGrath was selected as the input statistician for the Big V Championship Men Grand Final.

These achievements were celebrated at the 2026 McKinnon Cougars Awards Night, where Dominic Gehrig was named Referee of the Year following an outstanding season.

McKinnon Basketball congratulates every official on their achievements and thanks them for their continued commitment to developing their skills and representing the Association. We look forward to seeing what they can achieve throughout the 2026/27 season.

MBA Referee Achievements 2025/26 Seasons

Accreditation and development

• New Level 1 referees: Jake Lasnitzki, Julian Rees-Marom, Lucas Hornblower and Zoe Taylor

• New Level 2 referees: Mischa Murray and Ruben Vella

• Level 1 Referee Coach accreditations: Abby Hayman, Malachy True, Mischa Murray and Zoe Taylor

Country Metro Challenge

• Referees: Jake Lasnitzki, Julian Rees-Marom, Lucas Hornblower and Zoe Taylor

VJBL VC and VC Reserve Finals

VC/VCR Grand Final appointments

• Under 18 Girls VC Reserve Grand Final: Dominic Gehrig

• Under 14 Girls VC Reserve Grand Final: Malachy True

• Under 16 Girls VC Championship Grand Final: Mischa Murray

• Under 14 Boys VC Reserve Grand Final: Ruben Vella

• Referee Coaches: Anne-Marie Barker and Maty Morrissey

• Finals Panel Referees: Dominic Gehrig, Julian Rees-Marom, Malachy True, Mischa Murray and Ruben Vella

• Under 18 Girls VC Championship Grand Final (Scoretable): David Nelson

VJL and Regional Development League Grand Finals

• Jake Lasnitzki: Under 14 Boys VJL2, Under 16 Boys VJL8 and Under 20 Boys VJL6

• Julian Rees-Marom: Under 14 Girls VJL1, Under 18 Boys VJL6 and Under 20 Girls VJL2

• Lucas Hornblower: Under 14 Boys VJL1

• Zoe Taylor: Under 12 Girls VJL4, Under 16 Boys VJL6 and Under 20 Girls VJL1

• Ashwyn Boag: Under 14 Boys Regional League 3

• Cohen Walters: Under 16 Girls VJL6

• Jasper Wilson: Under 16 Boys VJL9

• Jemima Boyle: Under 14 Girls VJL7

• Ori Paz: Under 16 Boys VJL10 and Under 16 Boys VJL6

• Mischa Murray: Under 20 Boys VJL1

National Junior Classic

• Under 12 Boys Bronze Medal Game: Jake Lasnitzki

• Under 16 Boys Gold Medal Game: Mischa Murray

• Under 12 Referees: Julian Rees-Marom, Lucas Hornblower and Zoe Taylor

• Under 14 Referee: Malachy True

• Under 16 Referee: Ruben Vella

• Under 18 Referee: Dominic Gehrig

• Referee Coach: Maty Morrissey

• Assistant Coordinator: Anne-Marie Barker

Big V

• Youth Championship Women Grand Final: Dominic Gehrig

• Youth Championship Men Grand Final emergency: Paul Morrissey

• Youth Championship Women finals panel: Dominic Gehrig

• Youth Championship Men finals panel: Paul Morrissey

• Senior Division finals panel: Maty Morrissey

• Championship Men Grand Final (Statistician): Finn McGrath

NBL1 South

• NBL1 South Development Panel: Maty Morrissey

• NBL1 South Referee Panel: Anne-Marie Barker

Australian Opals FIBA Women’s World Cup preparation games

• Opals against China:  Paul Morrissey - Shot Clock Operator

• China against Japan : Paul Morrissey - Timer

McKinnon Basketball Awards Night

• 2026 Referee of the Year: Dominic Gehrig