Toronto, ON — The Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) has announced a landmark partnership with RefMasters becoming the organization’s official officiating training partner.
Through this collaboration, OBA is launching a RefMasters Private Space — a digital hub dedicated to training, engaging, and retaining officials — alongside RefMasters University scholarships for allOBA referees and the integration of RefScore, RefMasters’ industry-leading evaluation and development system.
This strategic partnership underscores OBA’s commitment to innovation and excellence, setting anew standard for how officials are trained, supported, and developed across Canada.
“This partnership represents the next evolution of how we develop and support our officials,” saidCarmelo Mallia, Vice President of High Performance & Basketball Development at OntarioBasketball. “By joining forces with RefMasters, we’re combining our strong officiating foundation with the most advanced educational and digital tools available. Our officials will have access to personalized evaluations, interactive learning, and a thriving professional community, all designed to raise the quality of officiating and the level of competition in Ontario basketball.”
New Era for Officiating Development
Through the RefMasters Private Space, OBA officials will gain access to exclusive film breakdowns, expert-led courses, and community-based learning powered by RefMasters’ community education platform.
Every registered OBA official will also receive a RefMasters University scholarship , unlocking a curated curriculum built by professional referees from the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and FIBA. The RefScore platform — a performance analytics and evaluation tool used across North America — will serve as the new backbone for OBA’s official assessment process, helping leaders deliver objective, transparent, and data-driven feedback.
“Ontario Basketball is one of the most forward-thinking organizations in the sport,” said Sony Tiwari, Co-Founder & CEO of RefMasters . “They’re not just investing in technology, they’re investing in people. OBA understands that great officiating doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through building craft, connection, and community. With RefMasters University, RefScore, and our private digital space, we’re building a complete ecosystem for referee growth and retention.”
Leaders in Innovation and Education
The partnership reflects a shared vision between RefMasters and OBA: to elevate officiating through modern learning design, digital engagement, and professional mentorship. Together, the two organizations are pioneering a model that blends high-performance education with accessible, year round development opportunities.
By combining OBA’s leadership in athlete and official development with RefMasters’ technology and curriculum, the collaboration aims to inspire a new generation of confident, capable, and connected officials who are ready to meet the demands of the modern game.
About Ontario Basketball Association
Founded in 1974, Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) is the sport’s governing body in Ontario, dedicated to the growth and development of basketball across all levels of play. OBA serves over 185 member clubs, 25,000 athletes, and 3,000 coaches and officials across the province through grassroots programming, competitions, and high-performance pathways. Learn more at basketball.on.ca.
About RefMasters
RefMasters is a leading officiating education and technology platform that connects referees across sports with professional-level instruction, evaluation, and community. Through tools like RefMasters University , RefScore , and RefMasters Private Spaces , the company empowers officials and organizations to train, assess, and grow through immersive digital learning experiences.
Learn more at www.RefMasters.com.
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