Basketball Wales Referee Ben Hutchinson Officiates at Prestigious Scania Cup in Sweden

Basketball Wales referee Ben Hutchinson represented Welsh basketball on the international stage over the Easter holidays after travelling to Södertälje to officiate at the prestigious Scania Cup.

Held annually in Sweden, the Scania Cup is widely regarded as one of the largest and most competitive elite youth basketball tournaments in the Nordic region. The 2026 edition took place from 2–6 April and featured more than 500 games played across 16 venues, with teams competing in U13 to U19 age groups.

The tournament attracts top youth basketball talent from across Scandinavia and Europe, providing players, coaches and officials with a high-level international basketball environment. Ben’s involvement at such a prestigious event highlights both his continued development as a referee and the growing recognition of Welsh officials on the international stage.

Throughout the week, Ben officiated games involving elite youth academies and national-level talent, gaining valuable experience in a fast paced and highly competitive tournament setting. Opportunities such as the Scania Cup are invaluable for referee development, allowing officials to learn from experienced international colleagues while working within a professional tournament structure.

Speaking about his experience, Ben said:

“Scania was a fantastic experience learning from the best officials across FIBA, EuroLeague and NCAA. There was lots of valuable learning which I’m looking forward to implementing in my own officiating across Wales. I also look forward to being able to share what I’ve learnt with other officials across Wales.”

Everyone at Basketball Wales congratulates Ben on his achievement and looks forward to seeing his continued progress both nationally and internationally.