Promising young Northern Suburbs Basketball Association official Lara Scholz has been selected to referee at the 2015 Ivor Burge Championships to be held at Dandenong Basketball Stadium, February 23 – 28.

The Ivor Burge Championship is a national championship for players with an intellectual disability and Scholz was selected to officiate after impressive performances in the Metropolitan Junior League and junior state events in recent years.

A committed referee, Scholz officiates at both the junior and senior level in the NSBA local competition and also assists with the development of junior referees through coaching and support in the Mini-Ball and Under 13 competitions.

The selection to referee at the 2015 Ivor Burge Tournament will be her first national championship appointment, after refereeing the gold medal game of the 2014 Pacific Coast Slam in Port Macquarie and performing consistently through the MJL in recent seasons.

As well as her officiating, Scholz is a committed volunteer, coaching the Norths Bears Under 12 Girls Division One representative, along with a host of junior local competition and school teams.

NSBA Chief Executive Michael Haynes said the appointment to a national championships was reward for Scholz’s commitment to the sport.

“Lara is one of our terrific young volunteers and this is a great reward for her commitment to not only her refereeing, but the NSBA as a whole,” he said.

“We are thrilled she has received this recognition as an official and it is an indication of the improvement, commitment and desire to improve that Lara approaches her refereeing.

“She also contributes to the association as a coach and is always keen to put up her hand to help, so it is fantastic she has this opportunity and we wish all the best for the tournament,” he added.