Jacqui Dover

A proud Yugambeh woman, Jacqui Dover is changing the game as a trailblazing referee.

She became the first Indigenous woman to officiate in the NBL and earned a place as one of six scholarships holders in the NBA’s Referee Development Program.

Growing up in stadiums managed by her parents, Jacqui played basketball and refereed as a teenager. She’d work for WNBL club Townsville Fire as a community engagement officer before returning her focus to the whistle and making a career out of it.

She officiated locally in Townsville, graduating to the QBL then earning a place on the WNBL referee panel in season 2019-20. She made her NBL debut during Indigenous Round in May 2021.

Jacqui runs JD8 academy and hosts the She Talks Sports podcast with her sister Cass.

She is also an ambassador for She Hoops.