Bendigo's hardworking technical officials never set out to be recognised for their contributions to basketball.
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They do it because they love it and enjoy the challenge.
Two Bendigo referees have been awarded by Basketball Victoria for their technical service to the sport.
Basketball Victoria's Technical Officials Commission has awarded the Sharon Arnold Award (Country Interstate Referee of the Year) to Nathan Williams and the Bob Scott Award (Country National Referee of the Year) to Tayla Flint.
Williams grew up in Shepparton and started his career as a referee when he was 14.
"I started out on the domestic basketball pathway, eventually went into representative games and then into bigger leagues," Williams said.
RELATED: Referees represent Bendigo
Now based in Bendigo, Williams was most recently a referee in the inaugural NBL1 season.
"It's an honour to represent the association," he said.
"Just as there are pathways for the players it's the same for the referees, we constantly strive to do our best to get to the next level."
Williams' aim is to go one step further and become a referee within the NBL.
Regardless of what level he is officiating, it's something that is close to his heart.
"It's nice to be recognised by the award, but it's not why we do it," he said.
"We do it because we enjoy it and the challenges that come with refereeing."
The award for Flint is the second in recent months, on the back of being named as the NBL1 Female Referee of the Year in August.
Flint first became a referee back in 2005 with the Bendigo Basketball Association.
Since, Flint has gone on to referee in the BigV, SEABL, NBL1 and WNBL.
The same as Williams, her goal is to referee in the NBL.
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