Girls Ref the World – Basketball Officiating Internships
EPIC for Girls has partnered with Jeffrey Williams of J’s Braintrust to launch Girls Ref the World (GRoW), an innovative approach to increasing representation of girls of color in the administrative area of sports. This program will provide participants with the skills necessary to begin a career in basketball officiating in the state of Nebraska.
Next Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 12, 14 19, 24, December 3, 5, 10, 12.
Make up/Snow Dates: December 17th and 19th.
Location: Omaha North High School
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Contact: j.williams@jsbraintrust.org or racquel@epicgirls.org
Important: Enrollment is NOT guaranteed. All applicants must participate in a structured interview (between November 1-8th). This will determine youth readiness and motivation. All youth under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian for this portion of the program.
Target Audience: BIPOC Girls/Young Women 14-24 living in N/S Omaha
Goal: Provide BIPOC girls/young women the opportunity to learn a technical trade that will:
- Place them on par with their white counterparts (in West Omaha) and young men.
- Be transferable to adulthood and create potential for extended opportunities in sports.
- Allow flexibility and avoid systemic traps of poverty and redlining.
- Potentially provide academic credit toward graduation (check with your school for approval).
Program Description:
- $15/hr.
- 3 cohorts per year
- 4-week (2x/wk.) seminar and practical skills sessions
- Evening classes (6:00-8:00pm)
- Graduation celebration
- Located in North and South Omaha
- BIPOC led
- Personal and Professional Development: Confidence Building, Leadership Skills, Time Management and Financial Literacy.
- NSAA registration
- All supplies provided
- Participant stipend – participants will receive a stipend at the end of the academy for each hour of in-class instruction.
Eligibility Requirements:
- In high school, college (includes 2-year and 4-year), trade school, and/or enrolled in a GED program at the time of application.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. U.S. citizens may apply if they are enrolled at least half-time in high school. U.S. permanent legal residents must be enrolled in a high school in the U.S. to be eligible.
- Parent or Guardian Authorization
For more information about this program and/or to inquire how you can become a sponsor/partner, please email Jeffrey Williams at j.williams@jsbraintrust.org or Racquel Henderson at racquel@epicgirls.org.
Class size is limited to 30 participants each session and facilitators will make efforts to address any transportation barriers.
Next Steps:
- Complete this application: Application
- Complete this liability waiver and bring to your first class: Liability Waiver
- Complete this W-9 and bring to your first class: W-9 Form
EPIC for Girls is proud to partner with Simple Foundation’s Pathways to Success; a transformative initiative designed for our youth. Pathways to Success addresses the needs of disconnected youth through impactful components such as Work-Readiness Skills Training, Paid Internship Placement, Career Coach/Mentoring, Case Management, and Ongoing Support. Through this collaborative effort, EPIC for Girls and Simple Foundation are making a collective impact in reducing violence and enhancing workforce training, setting the stage for the empowered success of Nebraska youth.
