BASKETBALL

  1. KEY STATISTICS

Events Offered: 2 (a. Basketball Team (Male and Female), b. Unified Basketball Team)

Competing Teams: 70 (Men: 38, Women: 14, Unified: 18)

Competition Days: 9

Competition Schedule: 25/06-03/07/2011

25/06/2011: 09:00-13:30 Divisioning (Female & Unified)

26/06/2011: 10:00-14:00 Divisioning (Male) & 14:00-17:00 (Female & Unified)

27/06/2011: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Competition (Male, Female & Unified)

28/06/2011: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Competition (Male, Female & Unified)

29/06/2011: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Competition (Male, Female & Unified)

30/06/2011: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Competition (Male, Female & Unified)

01/07/2011: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00 Competition (Male, Female & Unified)

02/07/2011: 10:00-17:00 Semifinals & Finals / Awards Ceremonies (Male, Female & Unified)

03/07/2011: 10:00-15:00 Semifinals & Finals / Awards Ceremonies (Male, Female & Unified)

03/07/2011: 15:00-16:00 Unity Sport Event

Head Coaches Meetings: Daily meetings, (starting 40 minutes before the start of competition)

Technical Delegates: 2 ( Mr. Jacky Loube & Mrs. Bernie Priestley)

International Technical Officials (Referees): 25 (2 of them SOOPA with their 2 mentors)

National Technical Officials (Referees): 22

National Technical Officials (Score table): 36

Paid Staff: 13

Volunteers: 128

Contractors: 3

  1. HIGHLIGHTS

Overall, the Basketball competition was conducted very smoothly according to the original schedules (in a total of 175 games: no cancellations; only 4 games were rescheduled for 1 or 2 hrs later at the same day). In most cases, competition operations did not face important issues and the level of service to the teams was high. The awards ceremonies were also conducted successfully and were enjoyed by the athletes and all people involved.

At many games the spectators’ attendance was very high (some of the morning sessions numbered more than 1.200 people at the main arena during pool competition and around 800 people at Court 2 during the finals).

Volunteers participated and contributed to the event very enthusiastically. A unique element regarding this area was the active participation of Special Olympics athletes as volunteers (13 athletes from the Greek Program were assigned as Ball Persons or Field of Play Assistants).

  1. AFTER ACTION COMMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Competition Schedule

After Action Comments

For the pools’ (round robin) games, the schedule allowed 28 games per day at 4 courts (7games percourt). A 1-hour break (13:00-14:00) was used in order to allow breaks for the volunteers and to make up for any delays during the morning session. The total hours scheduled for round robin, semifinals & finals were adequate to serve the needs of the competition for the participating 70 teams.

Regarding the scheduling of divisioning, the fact that the male teams had to play in the morning after the Opening Ceremony was an issue for some teams. However, from the side of the Competition Management there was a provision to start the divisioning process 1 hour later than the regular start of daily competition activities (at 10:00 instead of 11:00).

Regarding the scheduling of the awards ceremonies, it was decided to use 1 hour at a time for 3 or 4 divisions and to allow at least 1 hour for the teams to be prepared after the end of their last game.

Regarding the scheduling of the Basketball Unity Sport Event, it was scheduled after the completion of all games and awards ceremonies, in order not to conflict with any of them.

After Action Recommendations

Continuous and very careful planning is needed throughout the Games preparation phase. It is vital to constantly communicate with all parties involved regarding the implementation of the schedules.

  • Staff and Volunteers

After Action Comments

The Basketball Team consisted from 13 paid staff and 3 contractors (Sport Presentation), plus 128 Volunteers[1]. The organizational chart is attached. The majority of the Sport staff (excluding Technical Operations & Administration Coordinators)came on board in June 2011, but the induction seminars and training sessions had started a couple of months ago. There was a very good relationship and cooperation between all the members of the team, which was the foundation for ensuring smooth operations and the timely and effective handling of issues during the event. It should be also noted that the Sport Manager was also Venue Manager and this helped to ensure the close cooperation between both teams.

After Action Recommendations

It is imperative to give enough time for staff and volunteers training. Flow of information through regular meetings and other forms of communication is also vital to ensure that everybody shares the same vision for the event and that that they are all at the same page.

  • Staging

After Action Comments

The successful operation of the staging process was a very difficult task because there were 4 courts at the same venue and the number of teams arriving for competition or to attend the games was very high. Despite the above, it run very well due to the excellent work of the staff and the volunteers and the good training they had received before the Games. The teams were escorted within the venue by a Basketball volunteer; when needed, a language services volunteer assisted the teams with their communication. Moreover, the tracking system for the teams with the help of the Sport Information Desk proved to be very efficient. Regarding the staging process before each game, the teams were given instructions and assistance in order to line up, shake hands with the athletes of the other team, etc. and this part also worked very well.

After Action Recommendations

Inform the coaches beforehand (Technical Manual, 1st Head Coaches Meeting) that it is their responsibility to attend their athletes at all times in the venue.

The use of a check list (e.g. team, time of game, changing room, duration of stay, uniform color, bench, etc) is an extremely helpful tool for the volunteers to avoid confusion and to minimize questions and delays.

Proper training of the volunteers is a key to success.

  • Sport Equipment & Uniforms

After Action Comments

The sport equipment list is provided below (table 1). All equipment was according to the international playing standards. Regarding the uniforms, the vast majority of the teams had proper uniforms available. However, there was provision for alternate sets of uniforms at the venue, in case of color clash or other unexpected need. Also, the teams had received information in advance regarding the type of basketballs that were used for the basketball competition.

After Action Recommendations

It is important for the teams to review the information regarding uniforms included at the Registration Information Booklet.

Table 1: Sport Equipment List
Wooden Floor / Unit / 4
Backboard Units / Unit / 4
Rings / Unit / 4
Nets / Unit / 16
Balls – Men (size 7) / Unit / 40
Balls – Women (size 6) / Unit / 20
Ball Carriers / Unit / 8
Ball Pump - Electric / Unit / 1
Personal foul marker Sets / Unit / 4
Team foul marker sets / Unit / 4
Floor wipers / Unit / 10
Direction Indicators (arrows) / Unit / 4
Alternate Bibs / Sets of 12 / 4
Scoreboards / Unit / 4
  • Head Coaches Meetings

After Action Comments

Daily meetings were held before the start of competition. A sign-in procedure was used to verify attendance. In general, the meetings had poor attendance (only on 25.06 and 02.07 the attending coaches exceeded 20). As a result, some of the issues raised during the meetings could not be discussed with the coaches/teams concerned and some important information had to be repeated or it was missed by the teams.

After Action Recommendations

There has to be a way to reinforce the importance of the participation of the coaches at the meetings.

  • Sports Information Desk

After Action Comments

The Sports information Desk (SID) at the venue operated very efficiently. There were pigeon holes for each Delegation and all relevant information was placed there for the teams to pick up upon arrival (or departure, if there was an important update during the day). At the SID, teams could find: Daily Competition Schedule, Teams List, Divisions List, Results, Protest Forms, Transportation Information for Athletes and Officials, Incident Report. Also available: Head of Delegations phone list, SID contacts at the Village, Sport contacts.

An issue noted during the first 2 days of competition was the difficulty in communication between the venue SID and the Village SID, which created problems in the flow of information to the teams.

After Action Recommendations

Close cooperation of the SID staff and volunteers with the Staging staff and volunteers is critical. Also, need to ensure in advance that proper communication with the SID at the Village has been established.

  • Divisioning

After Action Comments

Many teams (almost half of them) did not submit the Basketball Skills Assessment Test (BSAT) scores at all and some of them submitted inaccurate scores. This fact made the job of the Divisioning Committee very difficult. The divisioning process for the female teams was conducted on June 25 at the main arena (Court 1) and for the unified teams at Court 2. For the male teams Courts 3 & 4 (one next to the other) were used at the same time (with the curtain that was separating them lifted up). Also, a balcony was used by some members of the divisioning committee in order to have better overview of the teams.

Most of the divisions were not made final until the end of the 5th day of the event and in some cases divisioning was not finalized until the start of the medal round games.

Although the coaches were clearly informed about the divisioning meaning and process and that divisioning was not to be protested, many of them still kept making complaints about their teams’ division.

After Action Recommendations

Given the number of male teams, which is often too big, maybe it would be better to allow a whole day for divisioning, in order to have a chance to better review all teams. Also, it would be stressed again to the coaches (before the Games) that they need to contribute in the divisioning process through the BSAT scores.

  • Awards

After Action Comments

Awards staging was excellent and the ceremonies were conducted very smoothly. All ceremonies took place at the main arena in order to have a better setting and to provide the best photo opportunities. After the fist ceremony, a small modification was made by bringing 5 meters back the line for official photographers, so that the spectators had a most clear view to the podium. The ceremonies were enjoyed by the athletes and after each ceremony there was a chance for the coaches, families and friends to meet their athletes at a designated area and take photos and celebrate together.

After Action Recommendations

It is most important to train the awards volunteers properly and to schedule at least 2 rehearsals at the venue, in order to work together with the Sport Presentation staff.

  • Protests & Appeals

After Action Comments

There were a very limited number of protests during the event. All of them were discussed and the issues were resolved at the venue by the Technical Delegates and the Sport Manager.

After Action Recommendations

All staff and volunteers if possible (Staging and SID staff and volunteers primarily) need to be aware of the protests procedures, so they can instruct coaches accordingly when needed.

  • Unity Sport Event

After Action Comments

One Basketball match was conducted (2x20' running time with 10' half-time break) with the participation of former basketball stars, celebrities, ASF guests, basketball fans,youth leaders and Special Olympics athletes. The SO athletes and the fans enjoyed the game and the event was conducted smoothly, however it would be better if some small operating details were communicated earlier, in order to avoid last minute pressure.

After Action Recommendations

Scheduling the game after the end of the competition and ceremonies maybe is a risk in terms for spectators’ attendance, but in the case of basketball it seems that it is not an issue given the participation of famous ex-stars. It is important to also schedule the strongest divisions’ finals last at the respective day, so that more people will at the venue by the time of this event.

  • Planning

After Action Comments

A 2-years’ planning period was the basis for organizing the competition effectively. The size and complexityof the event requires detailed planning in all aspects and interaction with all relevant FA’s.

After Action Recommendations

Key sport personnel needs to be identified as soon as possible and adequate time should be given to have them prepared in order to perform their duties properly and support the sport Manager.

  • Results

After Action Comments

For the Basketball competition GMS did not work. Despite the fact that SOI experts were informed and they made an effort after the 4th day to make things right, until the end of the competition it was not possible to produce results through the system. This fact created a lot of trouble and the Sport Team had to use the contingency that was planned for this situation. Excel files were put in place in order to record the results of the games and to produce outputs for the information of the teams. Same system was used for the final ranking of the teams and for the awards teams’ ranking (from bottom to top).

Apart from the above, the procedure of collecting the score sheets with the official scores, the records keeping and the distribution process to the various recipients operated as planned.

After Action Recommendations

The GMS for Basketball needs to be restructured, as it cannot support the competition. The incapability of the system to cope with different formats used during competition (round robin and then double or single elimination round) is the major issue that needs to be dealt with. Moreover, a lot of improvements in less important aspects can be achieved for the next editions.

  1. BASKETBALL MAJOR ISSUES & RECOMMENDATIONS

No / Issue Description / Recommendation
1 / GMS operation – please see above section / Please see above section

1

[1]30 awards volunteers appear at the Basketball org. chart; however, they are not included in the sum of the 128 basketball volunteers as they were recruited by the Sports & Venues Team.