Vale Brad Giersch

The National Basketball League (NBL) is deeply saddened by the passing of long-time referee Brad Giersch.

Giersch refereed more than 400 NBL games, starting in 1995, before his retirement during the 2018 season.

He officiated six NBL Grand Final Series, as well refereeing at the Commonwealth Games, FIBA Olympic Qualifiers, the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany, among a raft of established international and domestic competitions.

Giersch was inducted into the Basketball NSW Hall of Fame in 2021.

He began his journey as a referee at the age of 14.

Giersch also had an established career as a firefighter, most recently as the Station Officer at Fire and Rescue New South Wales.

NBL referees will wear black armbands during Game 5 of the Championship Series on Sunday, in honour of his passing.

The NBL sends its heartfelt condolences to Brad’s wife, Louise, and their three children, Renee, Tara and Josh in this difficult time.