Game Decorum Notice to all Members and Participants

BNB Note to Members - Behaviour In Gyms

Effective December 15, 2025

Dear Members,

Recently, we have received multiple reports of officials leaving the sport because of how they are being treated in our gyms. Coaches and spectators are crossing lines, and the behaviour being reported is serious. It is now affecting our ability to run games. This is a direct threat to basketball in New Brunswick. Continued poor behaviour will not be tolerated. We all must take responsibility for ensuring a positive environment and setting the proper example for the youth in our sport.

An official shared the following with permission. It highlights how damaging the environment has become:

“It is a problem that has wormed its way so deep into the basketball community that it has ruined the game I love, and has made me dread every time I step into the gym to officiate, because I never know if I'm going to have a coach approach me after a game, or have a parent scream at me from the top of the bleachers, or have coaches try to intimidate me during games. All of this has happened multiple times within the last 12 months.”

This is not an isolated case. We are losing officials at all levels. Without officials, we simply do not have games.

There needs to be zero tolerance for verbal abuse, intimidation, or confrontational behaviour toward officials. Coaches must show leadership and stay composed. Spectators who cannot behave must be removed by the Gym Supervisor or site staff. If this continues, BNB will consider further sanctions including removing teams or groups from events, issuing fines to individuals or member groups, loss of hosting privileges, loss of eligibility for Provincial Championships, and spectator bans for specific teams or groups.

To try and curb some of these behaviours the following steps are being taken:

New mandatory requirements for all member groups: Member Groups are responsible for tracking compliance and ensuring completion to BNB that the following groups watch these webinars:

Parent/Guardian, Member Group Admin, & Host Monitors & Managers

BNB Parental Role in Sports Link

Coaches, Member Group Admin, Host Monitors & Managers

Rules and Officials Interaction Link

Please note: Everyone registered in RAMP will receive an email (sent directly from RAMP) containing a waiver form. This waiver will include the specific video link that must be watched, and it will require the individual’s signature to confirm completion.

If BNB does not receive confirmation, the group will not be eligible for competition starting January 1, 2026, until completion is verified.

Every game must have a Gym Supervisor. This is mandatory. It is the first line of prevention. The supervisor manages spectator and bench behaviour, supports coaches, scorekeepers, and officials, and steps in before situations escalate.

Effective immediately, officials have been instructed not to officiate any game where a Gym Supervisor is not present. If a supervisor cannot be identified before the game, the officials will leave, the game will not be played, and the full officiating fee will still be charged to the host group.

Groups booking officials through local assignors should provide the name of the designated Gym Supervisor at the time of their request. This allows assignors to share the information with officials in advance.

Ongoing failure to meet this requirement may result in: Loss of hosting privileges for BNB events, inability to book officials through assignors for home games, additional disciplinary action as required

We need to do better. The behaviour being reported is unacceptable and is harming the sport. We cannot grow basketball if we cannot retain officials. Your immediate action and cooperation with these requirements are necessary to provide a safe and respectful environment for athletes, officials, and volunteers.

If you need assistance implementing any of the above, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Alyssa Lebans

Executive Director

Basketball New Brunswick

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Game Decorum Notice to all Members and Participants

BNB Note to Members - Behaviour In Gyms

Effective December 15, 2025