500th milestone a family affair for Melissa Andreola

Written by Julia Montesano

Nunawading referee Melissa Andreola has notched up a very special milestone in the Spectres’ NBL1 clash with Sandringham.

Not only has she officiated her 500^th senior game, but Sunday’s match also marked the first time she refereed alongside both her children, Jordan and Brittany.

After taking up refereeing due to the influence of her father, Melissa said she was honoured to not only notch up the milestone but continue to keep the family name involved in the sport.

“My Dad and I are both life members of Nunawading, having both been referees with the association,” she said.

“Now with my kids also involved, it’s great that it’s a family affair.

“I’m glad the TOD and NBL1 allowed me to officiate with my kids because this may have been the only chance for me to do so.”

This is because 2021 will be Melissa’s final season as a senior referee.

She initially officiated her last game in 2017 but was asked to come back in 2019 when the NBL1 formed.

With a need for senior referees and the fact that she was sitting on 479 games at the time of her retirement, Melissa decided to come back to the sport to reach that illustrious milestone and be part of a new era of second-tier basketball.

“I’m a personal trainer so I’ve always been into fitness,” she explained.

“When I first got asked to come back, I was fit and healthy, so I thought why not.”

Since her return to refereeing, Melissa has had to endure a COVID-19 affected season, multiple close games and the close calls that come with it.

Just last week, she officiated an NBL1 South Men’s game decided by a game-winning three-pointer and an NBL1 South Women’s game won in overtime.

But while those situations may be daunting for some, Melissa says she is thankful for them.

“I don’t referee for the money, I do it because I love it,” she said.

“I don’t take anything for granted and take my opportunities with two hands.

“At the moment, I’m just taking it one game at a time and enjoying my last season in the sport.”

Melissa will bow out from the sport with one of the most decorated refereeing careers.

In her 20 years of involvement, she has officiated over 120 WNBL games, countless finals and international tournaments such as the World University Games, World Championships and friendly matches between countries like Australia and the U.S.A.

Now after such remarkable service to the sport and the Nunawading Basketball Association in particular, Melissa is hoping to pass on these memorable experiences to her children, hoping they can carry the family name up the refereeing ranks for the next 20 years.

“Initially, I told Jordan and Brittany that refereeing was a good opportunity to make a bit of pocket money,” she said.

“This led to them saving up their money and buying their first cars.

“But now, like me, they don’t officiate for the money, they do it for the love.

“I just encourage them to take it one game at a time and see where it takes them.”