Carolyn Wilson

Who are you? What is your involvement in basketball?

My name is Carolyn Wilson. I am an IWBF zonal international wheelchair basketball referee. I currently referee nationally in wheelchair basketball leagues for British Wheelchair Basketball and the SBC. In addition, I am also a national league referee for the SBC in running basketball.

Why do you referee? What motivates you to keep doing it? 

I started refereeing to help develop my understanding of the game as a coach and player. Instead I ended up falling in love with the sport even more, and with refereeing.

Refereeing is a fantastic role, you are able to travel throughout the country and further afield, working as part of a team with a wide variety of colleagues. As a referee I am part of the best plays of the game. It’s fast paced and ever changing!

Tell us about a female role model who has inspired you?

I think this is a really hard question to answer as there are so many fantastic role models within the sport. One of my role models and a friend within the sport is Jan Timms, an international technical official/table official/tutor/mentor and all-round rule guru. Her knowledge and experience of the game is unbelievable, and her infectious humour with accompanying facial expressions make every game fun to referee!

Another role model for me would be fellow referee and friend Frances Kremarik, whose advice and international referee experience has been invaluable to me. I was lucky enough to have Frances as a referee colleague at my qualification tournament in Italy.