This year, Survival Camp welcomes Jergus Valachovic, a dedicated referee from Pezinok, Slovakia. With nearly two decades of experience in officiating, Jergus brings not only a wealth of knowledge but also a deep personal story rooted in resilience, passion, and continuous learning.
Author: Oleh Vdoviak
Maciej Czajka Heads to Survival Camp Once Again – With Clear Goals and Family Legacy
Meet Maciej – a 19-year-old regional referee from Stalowa Wola (Poland) who’s about to embark on a new chapter in Kraków, both academically and officiating-wise. As he prepares to start his studies this autumn, he’s equally focused on continuing his development as a referee — a journey he began two seasons ago.
From Krakow to the National stage: Oleh Vdoviak joins Survival Camp once again
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.
Camper Ioannis Misioulis from Greece: From fighting fires to facing the flames of the court
Meet Ioannis Misioulis — a 26-year-old firefighter from Kozani, Western Macedonia (Greece) — whose resilience and composure under pressure extend from emergency response to the basketball court. This May, Ioannis passed the Hellenic Basketball Federation’s promotional exams, officially earning the opportunity to officiate Men’s National League 2 games, the fourth tier in Greece, starting this September.
Yuta Takaoka returns to Survival Camp, bringing global perspective to the court
Originally from Japan, Yuta Takaoka is a truly international referee whose refereeing journey has spanned continents. Currently based in Luxembourg, Yuta officiates primarily adult-level competitions while preparing for his long-term goal: to return home and build a career as a professional referee in Japan.
Mateusz Soboń from Poland joins Survival Camp 2025: on the road from regional to national
Hailing from Stargard and now based in Warsaw, Mateusz Soboń is a regional basketball referee in Poland, actively building his path towards the national level. Since starting his officiating journey in 2020, he has combined his growing experience on the court with a sharp analytical mindset — no surprise, as he also works as a software developer in the finance sector.
Marcin Lewandowski, Camper from Poland: from the court to the whistle
At just 20 years old, Marcin Lewandowski from Poznań, Poland, is stepping into a pivotal stage of life — and career. Fresh off completing technical school and his final exams, Marcin is enjoying what he calls “the longest holiday of my life” before embarking on a new academic path in Management Engineering this October.
But while school is on pause, basketball isn’t.
Julia Karamovic, camper from Sweden: Where Science, Sport, and Officiating Converge
Born and raised in Borås, Sweden, with proud Balkan roots, Julia Karamovic has forged a path that bridges high-performance sport and scientific precision. Now living in Halmstad, Julia is pursuing a degree in Biomedicine with a focus on Exercise Physiology, while simultaneously building a strong presence on Sweden’s officiating circuit.
Camper Rohit Poudel: A Multidimensional Path from Nepal to National League Ambitions in UK
Born in Nepal and now based in Sutton, Surrey, just south of London (United Kingdom), Rohit Poudel represents a new generation of referees bringing global perspective, community focus, and relentless drive to the court.
The Walravens Brothers: Two Paths, One Passion
From Roosdaal, near Brussels, meet Remko and Yorben Walravens — two brothers at different stages of life, yet united by a common love for basketball officiating and a shared ambition to grow.