Basketball On The Internet.

YES, no huge surprise today, the NBL tasking “Head of Operations” Bret Mactavish with ensuring the refereeing situation keeps moving forward and him appointing NSW’s Alby Joseph.

Alby will take over where Mal Cooper, Bill Mildenhall and Ray Hunt – three of our all-time greatest referees who worked for the past two years to turn the NBL back into a basketball league - left off.

His NBL background is minimal and some might argue, it mirrors Mactavish’s achievements in his role. Of course, that would simply be churlish.

And to suggest giving the authority over NBL referees to someone based in NSW – thereby maintaining some degree of relevance in having a Sydney office – had anything to do with the decision would be cynical anti-Melbourne speculation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Albert into the NBL family, and we look forward to his contribution to our competition,” Mactavish enthused in today’s NBL press release.

“He brings proven leadership skills and has a strong passion for excellence, which will undoubtedly resonate with all of our referees.”

Joseph attended the FIBA World Championship last year as a referee supervisor and joins the NBL after apparently being involved with numerous programs at state, national and international level.

His new role as Senior Referee Manager for this season is effective immediately.

If he can do half as good a job as Cooper-Mildenhall-Hunt, the NBL should be pleased, if not relieved. The officiating occasionally has been a headache.

So in some good news for migraine sufferers, the NBL has signed a deal with Chemist Warehouse as its official chemist retailer and partner.

“We are excited to welcome Chemist Warehouse as our official chemist retail partner,” league GM Jeremy Loeliger said.

“Playing elite sport requires our athletes to look after their bodies and live a clean, healthy lifestyle.

“Chemist Warehouse is the premier destination for people who practice a fitness lifestyle in a healthy way, providing great synergies with the NBL brand.”

Not sure if Jeremy is being considered for Chemist Warehouse’s next advertising campaign but he should be!

Chemist Warehouse Chief Operating Officer Mario Tascone said he is pleased to be supporting the NBL and working with Executive Director Larry Kestelman and his management team.

(I’m guessing that’s probably not anyone based in Sydney though.)

“We are right behind Larry and his organisation and are confident he will reinvigorate and secure the future of the national basketball competition,” he said.

And if not, he knows where to get pain relief at discount prices.