Every CVL game needs referees on the court and officials at the table. Both roles are paid, both come with a real development pathway, and both start with a three- to six-hour course. Which one calls you?
Whether you're a player looking for a new angle, a parent who already knows the rules, or completely new to the sport – Surrey Basketball has a development route that takes you from your first whistle to the national stage.
Every basketball game needs a scorer and a timer at the table. It's one of the quickest ways into the sport, the lowest-barrier qualification to earn, and for many officials it's the start of a real journey – right up to the National League.
At every CVL game there's a scorer and a timer sat side by side. You'll start with one role, learn the other, and eventually work both comfortably.
Keeps the official record of the game – who scored, how many, when they fouled, and which team has possession. In the Surrey CVL we use e-scoring through PlayHQ, so it's all done on a tablet rather than paper.
Runs the game clock – starting, stopping and resetting it in response to the referees' whistle and the action on court.
Refereeing is hard, especially at first. So we built a programme where no new official is ever left on their own, and every referee has a clear route to the next level.
Every newly qualified referee starts with a dedicated coach on site. You'll get feedback between quarters and a written note after every session – not just "good game" and a payslip.
Four structured tiers take you from U10 development games through to U18 senior junior competition, and on towards the Basketball England Level 3 award.
You earn match fees from your very first fixture. As you progress through the age groups, fees increase – up to £25 a game at U16 and U18.
You don't need to have played. You don't need to blow a whistle. You need to pay attention, learn the e-scoresheet, and you're in.
The Basketball England Level 1 Table Official course takes about three hours – two hours of online modules and a one-hour scoresheet assessment. No playing experience needed.
Surrey CVL uses e-scoring through PlayHQ. You score on a tablet and results flow straight to the league table – much more intuitive than a traditional paper scoresheet.
Many of our table officials go on to become referees, progress to the Junior NBL, or reach the National League table. The pathway starts right here.
Click through each tier to see where you'd referee, who mentors you, and what you need to move up.
You start with our pre-season tournament – short games in a low-pressure environment, with Miguel coaching you through the experience as it happens. You'll get structured written feedback on what you did well and two or three things to work on.
From there, you're deployed to U10 CVL games, where Miguel is on site every session as your mentor. As you find your feet, you'll be encouraged to step up to U12 games at the same venue – still within reach of your coach, but more demanding on the whistle.
Your home is U14 games, where our second referee coach Max is based every session. The game is faster, the players are bigger, and you'll be managing bench behaviour more actively – so the support on the sidelines steps up to match.
During this tier you'll be preparing for the Basketball England Level 2 course. Two of your three BE Level 2 assessment games can actually be completed inside the CVL itself – meaning your progression happens in the league you already know.
You're now refereeing U16 games, with U18 on the horizon. Both age groups run on full FIBA rules with two-person mechanics – lead and trail positions, rotations, and full-court coverage. Miguel and Max attend these sessions on rotation to coach you through the transition.
For referees wanting extra development, we also appoint officials to senior men's and women's CVL games. Level 2 referees are preferred, though experienced Level 1s who have shown real progress may also be appointed. The adult tempo, more vocal benches, and full-regulation format are excellent preparation for Level 3 assessment work.
At this tier you're working towards or holding the Basketball England Level 3 award – the qualification that opens up senior National League refereeing. Within Surrey you'll officiate our biggest games, including U18 fixtures, and you'll start supporting the development of the referees coming up behind you.
CVL finals day is the highlight of our season, and appointments are earned – officials who have shown progress, commitment and expertise across the season will be appointed to these games.
Click through each tier to see which role you'd start on, which age groups you'd cover, and what you need to move up.
You start on a single role – usually the scoresheet, because it's where most people's confidence grows fastest – alongside an experienced table official who already knows both jobs. You'll work U10 and U12 games where the tempo is manageable and there's space to think.
The Commissioner at each CVL session keeps an eye on new table officials and is there to answer questions between games. Because we use PlayHQ e-scoring, you won't need to learn a paper scoresheet to get started – you'll pick up the digital version as you go, with the experienced official walking you through it.
You'll switch between scorer and timer as needed across U12 and U14 games, and start being appointed to U16 fixtures too. The tempo is quicker, fouls accumulate faster, and good communication with the referees and your table partner really matters.
This is also when you start preparing for the BE Level 2 Table Official course. It requires four assessment games – two as scorer and two as timer – and two of those four can be completed in approved CVL fixtures. Your progression happens inside the league you already know.
You're now deployed across U16 and U18 CVL fixtures, where the games are full FIBA rules and the stakes are competitive. You'll work both roles confidently and often partner with developing table officials, passing on what you've learned.
At this tier you can also be appointed to senior men's and women's CVL games. Level 2 officials are preferred for these fixtures, though experienced Level 1s who have shown real progress may also be appointed – excellent experience of adult-tempo basketball, and a strong foundation for the next step.
CVL finals day appointments are earned – table officials who have shown progress, commitment and expertise across the season will be considered for finals fixtures.
Basketball England requires two full seasons at Level 2 across the scorer and timer roles before you can enrol on the Level 3 course. Surrey is where you build that depth of experience – officiating our highest-intensity games and mentoring the table officials coming up behind you.
Level 3 introduces a third role: the shot clock operator. We don't currently use a shot clock in the CVL – our referees manage the time rule verbally – but the committee is reviewing whether to purchase one to support officials in training. For now, shot clock operation is learned through the Level 3 course itself and applied at NBL fixtures.
A qualified Level 3 table official can work all NBL competitions and below. At Surrey, Tier 4 officials continue to support CVL finals day and are role models for the rest of the programme.
Referee fees are paid in cash at the end of every CVL session. As you progress through the age groups, your fees grow with you.
Referees typically officiate multiple games in a single session, so a morning or afternoon at the CVL usually means two or three games worth of fees.
Table official fees are paid in cash at the end of every CVL session. As the age group rises, so does the fee.
Most CVL sessions run several games back-to-back, so a morning or afternoon at the table usually means two or three games worth of fees.
Before your first game, there are a handful of essentials to put in place. We'll guide you through each of them.
The Basketball England Level 1 course is the starting point. It covers basic rules, mechanics and signals, and takes around six hours including a practical session.
You'll need an active Basketball England membership and a referee licence at the appropriate level to officiate any CVL game.
If you're 16 or over, you'll need a DBS check and a safeguarding self-declaration. Over 18s also need a safeguarding qualification. We help you through the process.
We'll register you on PlayHQ and add you to our referee WhatsApp group so you can pick up Sunday appointments across the September to April season.
The table official route has the lowest barrier to entry in basketball. Here's everything you need.
The Basketball England Level 1 Table Official course is about three hours long – two hours of online modules, one hour of scoresheet assessment. No prior experience needed.
Once you've passed the course, you'll need an active Basketball England membership and a table official licence to officiate any CVL game.
If you're 16 or over, you'll need a DBS check and a safeguarding self-declaration. Over 18s also need a safeguarding qualification. We'll help you through the process.
We'll register you on PlayHQ and add you to our officials group so you can pick up Sunday appointments across the September to April season.
Surrey is a starting point. Referees who develop through our programme go on to work across the Basketball England pyramid – and for the most talented, internationally.
Local and youth league games. Your first whistle, your first paid fixtures. Level 1 course →
Opens up local league, schools, colleges, BUCS and Junior National Basketball League fixtures. Surrey CVL counts for two of your three assessment games. Level 2 course →
The senior National League pathway – NBL Division One and Two, WNBL, senior cup competitions. Applications open annually through Basketball England. Level 3 course →
The highest domestic award. Level 4 referees work the British professional leagues. The course is split into pre-assessment and assessment phases over two seasons. Level 4 course →
The international qualification, awarded to the very best domestic officials and re-licensed every two years. The top of the ladder, and all of it starts with a first whistle in a CVL game.
Surrey is a starting point. Table officials who develop through our programme go on to work across the Basketball England pyramid – all the way to the senior professional leagues.
School games, youth local leagues and recreational level. Your first fixtures, with a mentor beside you. Level 1 course →
Opens up local league, Junior NBL, and senior NBL competitions up to WNBL Division One and NBL Division Two alongside Level 3 colleagues. Surrey CVL counts for two of your four assessment games. Level 2 course →
Introduces the shot clock operator role. Qualified Level 3 officials can be deployed to all NBL competitions and below. Prerequisite: two full seasons at Level 2. Level 3 course →
The highest domestic qualification, working the British professional leagues. The course is split into pre-assessment and assessment phases. The top of the ladder, and all of it starts with your first CVL game. Level 4 course →
Get in touch and we'll talk you through your next steps – whether that's signing up for a Level 1 course or joining our referee pool straight away.
Email the CVL team →Get in touch and we'll walk you through your next steps – whether that's booking onto a Level 1 course or joining our table officials pool straight away.
Email the CVL team →