Life ban for boy ref hit

By Melissa Grant
A WOMAN has been banned from playing basketball in Victoria for life after allegedly striking a 15-year-old male referee at YMCA Cardinia LiFE.
The alleged incident happened at the end of an A-Grade women’s semi-final at the stadium on Thursday night.
Referee Lewis Vigliarolo said the woman, who he had tech- fouled for swearing at him during the game, approached him while he was sitting on the bench after the final siren.
Lewis said the woman was being offensive before taking “a full swing hit” at him.
“She struck me across the head twice,” he said.
Lewis said he was taken aback by the woman’s actions.
“I was thinking that’s over now, especially because I was surrounded by other refs,” he said.
“I’ve tech-fouled people before but they don’t usually react like that.
“She was just angry she lost.
“I got told to walk away. I went and filed a report card at the front desk.”
Centre manager Wade Mackrell said the life ban was decided during a tribunal hearing on Monday night.
“We have to protect our referees,” he said.
“There are codes of conduct that the players need to adhere to and there is a tribunal process.
“We have gone through the normal process of the tribunal and have given out penalty we’ve seen fit.”
Mr Mackrell said the woman was entitled to appeal the ban to Basketball Victoria.
Lewis said he would happily continue his refereeing duties at the stadium.