Oleh Vdoviak is charting a unique and inspiring path in basketball refereeing. Originally from Ukraine, Oleh began his referee journey not in his homeland, but in Kraków, Poland — and this year, he successfully passed the Polish Basketball Federation’s promotional exams, earning the right to officiate in both the Men’s Second League (third tier) and the Women’s First League (second tier) for the upcoming season.

What makes Oleh’s journey stand out is that he is probably the first foreign referees who began their refereeing careers in Poland as beginners and progressed entirely within the country’s system to reach the National Leagues level.

Oleh’s dedication is evident in his year-round engagement with the officiating world:

• Survival Camp alumnus (2024)
• Lundaspelen Tournament (Sweden)
• Referee development events across Poland

Off the court, Oleh’s impact is just as notable. Formerly a Ministry advisor in Ukraine, he now works in the Internationalisation Office at Krakow University of Economics, driving cross-border collaboration in higher education.

“For me, refereeing is not just about the game. It’s about discipline, growth, and building bridges — between cultures, people, and perspectives.”

We are proud to welcome Oleh back to Survival Camp 2025 — a referee whose journey reflects determination, adaptability, and global vision.