Bill Mildenhall

1992 and 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES

Bill Mildenhall was born on the 10th of April, 1953. His early sporting interest was Australian Rules Football. He debuted with St Kilda in the then VFL in 1974 and played 77 senior games for the Club and was named the Club’s Most Improved Player in 1976.

Bill played basketball as a junior from Under 12’s to Under 18’s with the St. Kilda Police Boys Club.

He says, “I realised I was not good enough to play at a high level in senior basketball so I took up officiating at 17 years of age, mainly as a means of making pocket money.”

He was influenced at that early stage of refereeing by some of the great referees of all time in the game of basketball, including Les Dick, Dick Mason, John Holden, Eddie Crouch and Ron Burgess. Bill says, “John Holden returned from one of his Olympic Games and suggested I should seriously consider trying to be a referee at the Olympic Games. My thoughts were, maybe this is something to think about as it was quite clear I was never going to achieve my aim of being an athlete at an Olympics”

Bill soon began refereeing Victorian State League and the experiences gained were invaluable.

Refereeing became a large part of his life from around 1979. Basketball in Australia was taking off with the advent of the National Basketball league (NBL) that year and there were a lot more opportunities and experiences available for good referees.

He refereed his first NBL game in 1979 when Nunawading played St Kilda Saints. Some thirty two years and nine days later he would referee his last game in the NBL.

In all Bill refereed in 944 NBL games and every Grand Final from 1987 to his retirement in 2011. He won 16 NBL Basketball Referee of the Year Awards.

Bill obtained his International Officiating Rating (FIBA) in 1987 and was then able to referee international basketball games.

In 1987 Bill refereed at his first international tournament when he officiated at the Junior Men’s World Championships in Italy. He followed this in 1990 when he refereed at the Women’s World Championships in Malaysia (Gold Medal game).

Bill achieved his ultimate goal in refereeing when in 1992 he was chosen to officiate at the Barcelona Olympic Games.Bill recalls that in Barcelona, “I was officiating the USA Dream Team in a game, and I had a run in with superstar Charles Barkley when I was instructed to inform him that I would have to technical foulhim if he hung on the ring again. I appealed to the USA Coach Chuck Daley for his assistance. Chuck told me to throw Barkley out as he didn’t want him in there anyway!”

In 1994 Bill officiated at the Men’s World Basketball Championships in Toronto Canada and then in the 1998 Men’s World Championships in Greece (Bronze Medal game).

Of course the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was the big tournament for Australian players and officials alike. Bill, who had missed the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, was chosen to referee in the 2000 Olympic Games Basketball Tournament. Once again he had an excellent tournament and officiated the Women’s Bronze Medal Game.

Two incidents stand out in Bill’s memory from the Sydney Olympic Games. “One week out from the Games I was knocked over by Kevin Garnett from the USA in an exhibition game and fractured my elbow. Luckily I was able to get it protected and still went to the Games. In the Games itself I remember standing under the basket officiating in a game with the USA when Vince Carter slam dunked over the seven feet two inch German centre by literally jumping over him! That dunk is still regarded as one of the greatest ever, and I had a front row seat!”

After the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games the accolades and awards continued for Bill. These included being named in 2005 as the Confederation of Sport Official of the Year, acting as the FIBA Technical Official (Commissioner) for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and in 2009 acting as the FIBA Referee Supervisor (Coach) for the Under 19 Men’s World Championships in New Zealand.

In 2010 Bill was appointed as the FIBA Technical Commissioner for the Men’s World Basketball Championships in Turkey. That same year he was elected to the FIBA Technical Commission. In 2011 he was awarded the Victorian Sports Award Official of the Year.

In 2012 Bill attended his third Olympic Games, this time as the FIBA Technical Official

( Referee Supervisor/Coach) at the London Olympic Games.

He has been a member of the Australian Sports Commission Officiating Committee since 1991.

However like all great referees it was not so much what he achieved but more why he achieved what he did and what his approach was that made Bill an icon in Australian basketball officiating. As Bill explains, ''Part of it is being able to avoid conflict. My philosophy is to avoid it as much as possible, whereas some referees have the philosophy of getting in people's face. They ....players and coaches.... could talk to me and say what they liked within reason, so long as they didn't embarrass me. I couldn't care less if they swore in my ear. It's when other people hear it that you need to do something.'' He adds, ''People who are successful in officiating in basketball - and I'm sure it's the same in all sports – are usually successful in their own workplace as well. They're reasonably intelligent, good communicators, and can deal with conflict!”

When Mildenhall retired the then CEO of Basketball Australia Larry Sengstock said of Bill, "He has helped shape our game and took the standard of NBL officiating to a new, higher level. We congratulate Billy on what has been a truly amazing career." Sengstock went on to say, "Billy Mildenhall took on the toughest job in sport and always did it with utter professionalism, dedication and a sense of humour. It is a testament to his talents as a referee and his qualities as a person that he is popular with the players and coaches."

Bill Mildenhall has unquestionably been one of Australian basketballs best and greatest referees. His extensive career in the NBL where he won every accolade and award, some many times over, set the record for the most games officiated (which was ultimately broken by Ray Hunt) and set such high standards speak for themselves. At the international level he refereed at two Olympic Games and three senior and two junior World Championships.

His skill, knowledge, calmness, approachability, communication skills, and respect for the players-coaches-and the game, made him one of the outstanding referees of his era and of all-time. He was much respected for not only what he achieved as a referee in basketball, but for the way he did it.

Bill stayed in basketball and is currently the Referee Development Officer for Basketball Victoria.

(Bruce Postol/The Age)

(Herald Sun)

(Ian Knight/PBase Galleries)

His first NBL game was in 1979 (Nunawading Spectres v St Kilda Saints) early in the competition's first season.

After he officiates the Melbourne Tigers-Gold Coast Blaze game at The Cage, Mildenhall finally hangs up his well-worn whistle, 32 years and nine days later.

Was influenced very early by senior referees, in particular Les Dick, Dick Mason, John Holden, Eddie Crouch and Ron Burgess. In fact John Holden mentioned to me one day after he had just returned from one of his Olympic experiences, if I had ever considered referee at the ultimate level.

I was a frustrated athlete as I had always had a dream of representing Australia as an athlete, but that was never going to happen, so the next best was to be an official.

Started that process prior to the introduction of the NBL, by officiating in the Senior Victorian State League Championships for 5 years, officiating with those experienced referees mentioned above

Bill Mildenhall (born 10 April 1953) is a former in the who also played with in the (VFL).

Mildenhall, who debuted in 1974, made few appearances early in his career due to injury. He had his best seasons in 1976 and 1977, as a , playing 40 of a possible 44 games. For the rest of his career he was again in and out of the team, but this time it was because he had taken up basketball refereeing in 1979.

Since 1979, Mildenhall has refereed in the NBL and has also officiated in the and .

In 2005, Mildenhall went past Eddie Crouch's league record of officiating in 802 matches. He also holds the record for being awarded "NBL Referee of th

Basketball Victoria is proud to announce that Bill Mildenhall, Basketball Victoria Referee Development Officer, was awarded ‘Victorian Official of the Year’ at the 2011 Victorian Sport Awards conducted by VicSport. Held on Monday, 28 November at the Crown Entertainment Complex, the Gala 2011 Victorian Sport Awards function brought together Victoria’s best athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to celebrate the year’s sporting achievements both on and off the field, recognising success within Australia and on the world stage.

Bill recently retired from officiating after a long and storied career that spanned 32 years. Bill began his career as an official in the inaugural year of the NBL in 1979 and subsequently officiated 945 games, including 48 NBL Grand Final games. During his career as an NBL official, Bill was awarded ‘Official of the Year’ on 16 consecutive occasions.

In addition to officiating for the NBL, Bill also officiated at many prestigious International events, including Men’s and Women’s World Championships and the Olympic Games in Barcelona and Sydney. In September 2011, following the completion of the Men’s World Championships in Turkey, Bill was elected to the FIBA Technical Committee.

Bill had the following to say about being awarded ‘Victorian Official of the Year’: “It was a great honour to receive such an award, particularly when you see the calibre of the other nominees and in particular the other two finalists, Hayden Kennedy (AFL) and Harry Hannas (Surf Life Saving).

It is very gratifying to have officiating being recognised as an integral part of the sporting fabric. It was an experience to be presented alongside the cream of Victorian Sport, highlighted by the Athlete of the Year, Cadel Evans, and the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Awarded to John Bertram.”

Wayne Bird, CEO of Basketball Victoria, added the following in support of Bill’s achievements: “Bill has been a great role model to aspiring officials all through his career and the recognition he has now received with this award is indeed very fitting. When you consider his record at the NBL level, you wonder if it will ever be surpassed. But the most gratifying aspect is that he is still very keen to assist young officials.”

Further recognition of his contribution is that the international body, FIBA, has accredited Bill as a Commissioner to act at international events such as World Championships and Olympics, just adding to an already stellar career.

Hanging up the whistle: Bill Mildenhall, who retired last week, says players could swear in his ear but were not allowed to publicly embarrass him. Photo: Bruce Postle

BILL Mildenhall had no one else to blame for his demise. ''Very simply, I fell on my own sword,'' he told The Sunday Age, with not the slightest hint of regret.

Mildenhall, who retired last weekend after an astonishing 32 years as an NBL referee, was working as Basketball Australia's director of refereeing a few years ago when he introduced fitness testing. Just after Christmas, when he admitted to ''enjoying the break a little too much'', he failed his own test, meaning he could not be appointed to a game until he completed 10 minutes on the beep test.

Launching into a fitness campaign, he tweaked a calf. His ankles blew up. He is 57, and a grandfather, albeit in good shape. ''You can bluff your way through a game, but you can't bluff through a test.''

He still has not done the test. The NBL offered him alternatives as eight weeks passed, but he declined. ''I said to them, 'I'm not going to do it. I'll just fade away'.'' Fittingly, the NBL's general manager Chuck Harmison offered him a farewell game, which he called at The Cage last Sunday. The coaches were respectful. Larry Sengstock, BA's chief, made a presentation. With that, it was over.

(Bruce Postol/The Age)

Mildenhall was a decent footballer, playing 74 senior games with his beloved St Kilda from 1974 to 1982 in the era of Greg Burns and Geoff ''Joffa'' Cunningham. As a boy, he had burst through the gates at the Junction Oval each week to place the family blanket on their favourite seats. He is still secretary of St Kilda's past players' group, and watched the 2010 AFL grand finals with a passion. ''I fear it's passed them by,'' he said.

But in basketball he achieved legend status without playing at the highest level. A competent junior with St Kilda Police Boys Club, he quit after junior level. ''I realised I wasn't big enough or good enough to continue as a player. The next best thing to stay involved was to referee, plus it was for pocket money.''

As an official he was good. He had the right approach, calm but firm and communicative. In the NBL's inaugural year, 1979, he officiated in some games for $15. He has since clocked a record 945 games, 16 referee-of-the-year titles and every grand final since 1987. He officiated at the Olympics in 1992 and 2000, and at world titles.

It's some record. One of the many people who contacted him before his final game was Robbie Cadee, the Olympian who played for St Kilda Saints in the first NBL game that Mildenhall refereed. Cadee pointed out that his son, Jason Cadee, played for Gold Coast in Mildenhall's final game. Mildenhall started at the same time as Ray Hunt, who is still officiating in the NBL at 59 with almost as many games logged, and planning to continue. ''As Ray pointed out, we've been refereeing more than half our lives,'' said Mildenhall.

It is a record that speaks for itself. ''Part of it is being able to avoid conflict. My philosophy is to avoid it as much as possible, whereas some referees have the philosophy of getting in people's face. They [players and coaches] could talk to me and say what they liked within reason, so long as they didn't embarrass me. I couldn't care less if they swore in my ear. It's when other people hear it that you need to do something.''

In the middle of his career the league boomed on the back of a global surge in basketball's popularity. Then, as soon as the glory years came, the NBL declined again. Mildenhall sees parallels between the NBL and soccer's A-League; the loss of good players overseas and owners with financial difficulties.

''The thing that killed us after the '90s was that basketball lost its popularity worldwide, and that was largely to do with the Michael Jordan [retirement] factor … When the league went from free-to-air television to pay, people didn't even know basketball still existed. I've bumped into people and they say, 'I used to go to the basketball'. I usually say, 'Why don't you go now?' They don't know the answer.''

His day job with Basketball Victoria has him developing young referees. But it's a tough school. ''All sports face the same dilemma. It's getting harder and harder because of the amount of abuse that's levelled at domestic referees. It's increasing.''

What makes a good referee? He believes it is about finding the right characters, rather than addiction to the rule book. ''People who are successful in officiating in basketball - and I'm sure it's the same in all sports - they're successful in their own workplace as well. They're intelligent, they can communicate, they can deal with those issues.''

What now? Mildenhall has his job, and he is on the technical committee for FIBA, the world ruling body. He has four-year-old twins. ''They're so much fun. In all honesty, the last eight weeks, I haven't missed it.''

YOU could get a CSI specialist to forensically examine NBL history, and they would not find anybody in the 32 years of the league with a better record than Bill Mildenhall.

Bill Mildenhall has been the NBL's best referee and will officiate his last game. Source: Herald Sun

There are his 944 games, followed by being in the NBL grand final every year since 1987 and being voted the best among his peers for 16 straight seasons, even though Mildenhall has never won a game or scored a basket.

Some will claim he has caused their teams to lose games, but that's a referee's lot.

There is no question he has been the NBL's best referee, as well as a key part of and big contributor to the competition.

His first NBL game was in 1979 (Nunawading Spectres v St Kilda Saints) early in the competition's first season.

After he officiates the Melbourne Tigers-Gold Coast Blaze game at The Cage, Mildenhall finally hangs up his well-worn whistle, 32 years and nine days later.

As a referee, there is no such thing as love and affection, but he has the respect of the basketball community for his achievements and the way he has officiated games and conducted himself over the history of the NBL.

"Billy Mildenhall took on the toughest job in sport and always did it with utter professionalism, dedication and a sense of humour," NBL chief executive Larry Sengstock said. "It is a testament to his talents as a referee and his qualities as a person that he is popular with the players and coaches."

A former VFL (AFL) footballer, Mildenhall played 77 games for St Kilda between 1974 and '82, often rushing from footy field to basketball court and using his car as a makeshift change room to transform from player to referee.

Mildenhall officiated at the 1992 and 2000 Olympic Games and at five world championships.

"He has helped shape our game and took the standard of NBL officiating to a new, higher level," Sengstock said. "We congratulate Billy on what has been a truly amazing career."

MILDENHALL BLOWS TIME ON STELLAR NBL CAREEROne of Australia's greatest ever sporting officials, National Basketball League referee Bill Mildenhall, has announced his retirement from the iiNet NBL Championship and on Sunday will officiate the final game of his incredible career at the State Netball Hockey Centre (AKA 'The Cage’) in Melbourne. Mildenhall, who has officiated in the NBL since its inaugural season in 1979 and is the most decorated referee in NBL history, will blow the whistle at an NBL game for the final time when he officiates the Melbourne Tigers’ home game against the Gold Coast Blaze. Mildenhall has been one of the NBL’s best referees over four decades, winning an amazing 16 consecutive NBL Referee of the Year awards from 1988 to 2003 - a record for both the number of awards won and consecutive wins. It is fitting that Mildenhall’s final game will be at The Cage. It was at that venue on 6 January 2005 that he broke the legendary Eddie Crouch’s record for NBL games refereed by appearing in his 803rd NBL match when the Melbourne Tigers hosted the Hunter Pirates.Sunday’s game will be Mildenhall’s 945th and final NBL match, setting an incredible record that surely will stand for a very long time. Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said Mildenhall’s impact on the NBL couldn’t be underestimated."Billy Mildenhall took on the toughest job in sports and always did it with utter professionalism, dedication and a sense of humour," said Sengstock. “It is a testament to his talents as a referee and his qualities as a person that he is popular with the players and coaches. He has helped shape our game and took the standard of NBL officiating to a new, higher level. “While Billy will be greatly missed on the court, we are delighted that he will continue to help improve Australia’s already high standard of officiating through his role with Basketball Victoria as their Referee Development Officer. He will also continue to have a role internationally, particularly at future world championships, through his role on the Technical Commission of FIBA. “We congratulate Billy on what has been a truly amazing career.”Mildenhall's first-ever NBL match was on 11 March 1979, when he officiated the Nunawading Spectres versus St Kilda Saints game at the old Burwood Stadium in Nunawading. He has refereed in every NBL Grand Final series since 1987 and has also represented Australia at the highest level on the international stage. Mildenhall was selected to referee at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the home Olympics in Sydney in 2000. In Sydney he refereed the Semi-Final for the women and the bronze medal men’s game in Barcelona. He also officiated in five World Championships including the bronze medal game in the 1998 World Men’s Championships in Greece. Prior to his career as an NBL whistleblower, Mildenhall was also a successful AFL player, being a member of the St Kilda team from 1974 to 1982 and appearing in 77 senior games.The NBL will make an on-court presentation to Mildenhall prior to his final game.

(Ian Knight/PBase Galleries)

MEDIA RELEASE18 March 2011 MILDENHALL BLOWS TIME ON STELLAR NBL CAREEROne of Australia’s greatest ever sporting officials, National Basketball League referee Bill Mildenhall, has announced his retirement from the iiNet NBL Championship and on Sunday will officiate the final game of his incredible career at the State Netball Hockey Centre (AKA ‘The Cage’) in Melbourne. Mildenhall, who has officiated in the NBL since its inaugural season in 1979 and is the most decorated referee in NBL history, will blow the whistle at an NBL game for the final time when he officiates the Melbourne Tigers’ home game against the Gold Coast Blaze. Mildenhall has been one of the NBL’s best referees over four decades, winning an amazing 16 consecutive NBL Referee of the Year awards from 1988 to 2003 - a record for both the number of awards won and consecutive wins. It is fitting that Mildenhall’s final game will be at The Cage. It was at that venue on 6 January 2005 that he broke the legendary Eddie Crouch’s record for NBL games refereed by appearing in his 803rd NBL match when the Melbourne Tigers hosted the Hunter Pirates.Sunday’s game will be Mildenhall’s 945th and final NBL match, setting an incredible record that surely will stand for a very long time. Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock said Mildenhall’s impact on the NBL couldn’t be underestimated.“Billy Mildenhall took on the toughest job in sports and always did it with utter professionalism, dedication and a sense of humour,” said Sengstock. “It is a testament to his talents as a referee and his qualities as a person that he is popular with the players and coaches. He has helped shape our game and took the standard of NBL officiating to a new, higher level. “While Billy will be greatly missed on the court, we are delighted that he will continue to help improve Australia’s already high standard of officiating through his role with Basketball Victoria as their Referee Development Officer. He will also continue to have a role internationally, particularly at future world championships, through his role on the Technical Commission of FIBA. “We congratulate Billy on what has been a truly amazing career.”Mildenhall's first-ever NBL match was on 11 March 1979, when he officiated the Nunawading Spectres versus St Kilda Saints game at the old Burwood Stadium in Nunawading. He has refereed in every NBL Grand Final series since 1987 and has also represented Australia at the highest level on the international stage. Mildenhall was selected to referee at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the home Olympics in Sydney in 2000. In Sydney he refereed the Semi-Final for the women and the bronze medal men’s game in Barcelona. He also officiated in five World Championships including the bronze medal game in the 1998 World Men’s Championships in Greece. Prior to his career as an NBL whistleblower, Mildenhall was also a successful AFL player, being a member of the St Kilda team from 1974 to 1982 and appearing in 77 senior games.The NBL will make an on-court presentation to Mildenhall prior to his final game.

SB.1

MAJOR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS:

2012 :FIBA Technical Official (Referee Supervisor/Coach) Olympic Games, London

2011 :FIBA Technical Commission Meeting in Canada

(FIBA Technical Commission Member)

Victorian Sports Awards “VictorianOfficial of the Year"

2010 :FIBA Technical Official (Commissioner) for the Men’s World Championships, Turkey

Elected onto FIBA Technical Commission

2009 :FIBA Referee Supervisor (Referee Coach) for theUnder 19 World Men’s Championships, New Zealand

2006 :FIBA Technical Official (Commissioner) for the Commonwealth Games, Melbourne

2005 :Confederation of Sport “Official of the Year"

1979–2010:Sixteen times consecutive NBL Referee of the Year.

Forty- Eight NBL Grand Final Games

Officiated 945 NBL Games

2000 :Officiated at Olympic Games, Sydney – Bronze Medal Game (Women)

1998:Officiated at Men’s World Championships, Greece - Bronze Medal Game

1994 :Officiated at Men’s World Championships, Toronto

1992 :Officiated at the Olympic Games, Barcelona, Spain.

1990 :Officiated at Women’s World Championships, Malaysia – Gold Medal Game

1989 :Officiated at Junior Women’s World Champs., Spain

Officiated NBL Grand Final, NBL Referee of Year

1987 :Officiated at Junior Men’s World Championships, Italy

1979 :Awarded an International Basketball Officiating Rating (FIBA) Commenced Refereeing in the NBL.(inaugural season)

1972-1982:Played 77 Senior Games with St.Kilda Football Club.

Most Improved Player in 1976.

1969-1975:Played Sub-District Cricket with Elsternwick C.C.

1991 – Present

Member of Australian Sports Commission Officiating Committee

INTERESTING SPORTING EXPERIENCES:

Achieving a Dream - Playing football with the team I had barracked for and followed since I was 2 years of age.

Experience of having many different senior coaches at St.Kilda. (some legendary)

Alan Jeans

Ross Smith

Mike Patterson

Alex Jesalenko

Experience of seeing the football change so much, particularly with professionalism, which was highlighted when sharing a house with Carl Ditterich for a year and half, when he went to Melbourne as a Playing Coach (the last playing coach in VFL/AFL) and the way he prepared the tema to the way the teams are prepared now.

Played at St.Kilda in the “Blond Rinse era”. (Trevor Baker, Michael Roberts – also played with AFL coaches Michael Malthouse and Grant Thomas.

Able to combine playing footy and officiating basketball. (Sneak off from footy training to go an officiate games at Albert Park. Also after having played a VFL game rush off to officiate a State League or an NBL game either that same day or the day after)

Lucky enough to travel a lot with basketball. (2 Olympic Games, 5 World Championships – plus numerous other international tournaments as a referee and 1 Olympics and 2 World Championships as a FIBA Commissioner)

As a referee, both Olympics were my greatest highlights. Both had interesting stories attached;

Barcelona – Officiate the original Dream Team – where I had run in with Charles Barkley.

Told to Technical Foul Barkley if he hung on the rim (as he had done that in the previous game) In an attempt to avoid any confrontations I approached Chuck Daley the coach to ask for his assistance. Only to be told “throw the mother out of here, we don’t want him anyway.”

Sydney – One week out, I was knocked over by Kevin Garnett and dislocated and fractured my elbow – Thanks to the professionalism of Surgeon, David Young I was lucky enough to be able to get there and officiate with specialised protection and taping. Also was officiating the game when Vince Carter slam-dunked over the 7 foot 2 inch German centre by literally jumping over him. (This was regarded as the best slam-dunk seen in a competitive game)

BASKETBALL OFFICIATING HISTORY:

Played basketball as a junior from Under 12’s to Under 18’s with St. Kilda Police Boys Club. (with Ray Hunt)

Realised not good enough to continue playing at a high level in Senior Grade, so I took up officiating at 17 years of age purely as a means of earning pocket money plus still being involved in a sport which I liked.

I was a frustrated athlete as I had always had a dream of representing Australia as an athlete, but that was never going to happen, so the next best was to be an official.

Started that process prior to the introduction of the NBL, by officiating in the Senior Victorian State League Championships for 5 years, officiating with those experienced referees mentioned above.

Attended a number of National Junior Championships and Senior Men’s and Women’s Championships around Australia. (Shared a room at U/16 national championships with captain, Ian Stacker……)

Officiated 7 NBL games in 1979, the inaugural NBL season.

Funded by NBL to attend NBA Summer Pro League camp in Los Angeles.

Officiated in the NBL from 1979 to 2011/12 season.