International Women’s Day is this Sunday March 8th. Over the years, women have held senior roles in Israeli men’s basketball, but they are not many but hopefully more will follow in their footsteps.

One of them is Noa Konfino. This season, Konfino known in Israeli basketball circles as a Hapoel Holon fan works for Segev Sport the statistics company which is present at every Israel Premier League game. Konfino, who attends many games, can often be spotted in the arenas around the country sitting at the scorer’s table.

In honor of Women’s Day, Konfino spoke about everything in a special interview: entering the world of sports and men’s basketball, the challenges along the way, working at Segev Sport, balancing it with demanding studies, memorable anecdotes and touching reactions, artificial intelligence, her dream, the most controversial statistic, Holon of course and much more in a fascinating conversation.

Disclosure: Konfino wrote for the website Sports Rabbi during last season.

1. First of all, how are you managing during these challenging times as the war with Iran rages on and how does it affect your work?

“People had been talking for a long time about the possibility of a war, so I kind of prepared myself for the idea that it might happen, but it’s still tough when it actually arrives. Regarding work, of course when a war breaks out all basketball games are postponed and with them a large portion of my work. But the company itself does many other things.”

2. How did you first get into the world of basketball? Were there other sports you were interested in before?

“My late father always watched basketball and soccer at home and I watched a lot with him. But I only really got into it in recent years. In high school I was on the volleyball team, another sport I think is amazing.”

3. How did you become a fan of Hapoel Holon?

“Honestly, I ended up at a game completely by chance once, when Stefanos Dedas was the coach. From the first moment I fell in love with the atmosphere, the crowd and it just felt right. The next season I bought a season ticket and Holon became an inseparable part of my life and my enjoyment.”

4. As a woman, did you feel different in the world of men’s basketball?

“There are some unpleasant things, like hints about the ‘real reason’ girls are in the crowd. But most reactions are normal and accepting, especially once people realize I understand a thing or two about the sport.”

5. I read posts where you insisted on becoming a combat soldier in the army. Did that help you integrate into a male-dominated field like basketball?

“In the army it actually felt a bit different, because by my time it was already fairly accepted that women are combat soldiers just like men. The struggle was because they assigned me to a different unit than the one I wanted. But when I started working and arrived at arenas to do my job, which includes setting up a station and connecting technical equipment, there were some raised eyebrows. There hadn’t been a woman in my role before, so it was unusual for people. Usually the first reaction was ‘Oh, are you the sideline reporter?’ But very quickly it became normal once people realized I was just as professional.”

6. How did you get to Segev Sport?

“I received a message about a job on Twitter. I was right in the middle or close to finishing my degree and worried I wouldn’t be able to combine everything. Luckily, throughout the entire process they were considerate about my studies and exam periods, so it worked which is great.”

7. Was this something you aimed for?

“When I worked with you guys, I really enjoyed doing something beyond ‘just’ attending basketball games as a fan. I knew I wanted basketball to be part of my life, even if not as my main job. Then I received this offer and it sounded like a dream. I’ve never had a full-time job that I truly enjoy waking up for like this one.”

8. What exactly is your role at Segev Sport and how do you work with the Sports Channel?

“The company I work for handles, among other things, the statistics for Israeli Premier League games, as well as EuroLeague and EuroCup games. I manage the statistics department, which has about 30 employees and I assign them to games. In addition, I work games myself. Sometimes I do statistics if needed, but usually I handle broadcast graphics for television. Basically everything you see on screen besides the camera, the clock, stats that appear during the game I’m ‘broadcasting’ the game without speaking. I want a viewer who turns on the game in the middle to immediately understand what’s happening. That’s also our connection to the Sports Channel. When I connect the equipment, I connect to them and everything happens live. I speak with their director through an earpiece and everything is coordinated.”

9. What statistical data do you deal with? Basic or advanced? Do you feel like you know everything? Are there times when it’s unclear which player should get credit for a stat?

“We cover every statistical action, even ones the EuroLeague doesn’t count as official stats, like deflections. The most common controversial stat is assists. There are assists that by the strict rulebook are always assists, but others where one person will give credit and another won’t, it really depends. Also, in the arena you don’t always have the same viewing angles as someone watching at home, which can affect things.”

10. What did you feel when you became a EuroLeague game supervisor? Were you surprised things happened so quickly?

“I knew it would be part of the job. The surprise was that the games returned this year as I didn’t think it would happen while the war was still ongoing. But it’s amazing that it did and I’m glad I got to experience it. I mean, where else would I get the chance to make small talk with Svetislav Pešić? Of course, with the current situation there won’t be more games in Israel this season, but there are far more important things and the main thing is that everything ends safely without injuries.”

11. How do you combine work with studying psychology and management at Bar-Ilan University?

“I’m basically at the very end of my degree, just one more exam left. But it was definitely challenging and I’m proud that I managed it. My study schedule was pretty tough, because during exam periods a new semester already starts, so there’s no real break. But actually, the busy routine helped me focus. When there’s never a dull moment, things just flow and work.”

12. Do you know other women working at Segev Sport? Is it still mostly men?

“Unfortunately it’s still mostly men. There’s one other statistician working with us right now. We’re definitely looking to bring more women into the company, both for statistics and graphics. So girls, send me a message! :)”

13. Share a special story from your work so far.

“I’ll tell you the most recent one. In the last EuroLeague game that Hapoel Tel Aviv played in Israel against Olimpia Milano, I met Bryant Dunston and exchanged a few words with him. I wasn’t a fan yet during his time here and only heard stories or saw some YouTube clips, but seeing someone almost 40 who played here over a decade ago still get excited hearing the word ‘Holonia’ that was special.”

14. Are there difficult moments too?

“I don’t really use the word ‘difficult,’ maybe ‘challenging.’ Sometimes there are technical issues, like right before a broadcast the graphics suddenly don’t work and there’s pressure from the channel and everyone. Or an employee cancels at the last minute. But at the end pf the day we’re not doctors and no one’s life is at stake. Most of the time it’s really a fun experience and things always work out.”

15. What’s the most touching reaction you’ve received about your work?

“My job includes sitting near the commentators and announcers from the Sports Channel. They always compliment me and say they enjoy working with me. But what really moved me is that some of them said I should move to the front of the camera, that my knowledge is being wasted and that I’d be good at it. I’m shy and it probably won’t happen because just thinking about a camera makes me sweat, but it’s very flattering to hear that from former coaches or TV professionals.”

16. In a world of artificial intelligence, what value do Segev Sport and you personally bring to the table? Are you worried AI might replace statistics work?

“I don’t think there’s a substitute for human eyes in the arena. I also don’t think AI will harm our work in any way, if anything, it will only improve it.”

17. What do you think about Hapoel Holon this season? Has your new job given you a different perspective?

“It’s no secret that this season hasn’t been as good professionally as previous ones, but that happens. I don’t think anyone in the club management wants the team to fail, quite the opposite. Everyone works 24/8 for the team. I believe things will be fine. I did get a different perspective, for example when I worked a preseason scrimmage before the season started. Those games usually don’t say much, but they’re without fans, so it was nice seeing things ‘before everyone else.’”

18. How much do you enjoy expressing opinions about Holon and Israeli basketball on Twitter?

“Sometimes it’s fun and sometimes less so. The best balance for me is writing a mix, emotion, frustration, humor and general thoughts about basketball, not just Holon.”

19. More broadly, how do you feel about the presence of women in men’s basketball and men’s sports overall? Is it improving?

“Definitely. Over time I’ve met friends in the stands, including from other fan sections. I hope it only continues to grow. It’s an amazing sport and the fan communities are very welcoming, it really feels like a family.”

20. Do you feel you can be a trailblazer for other women?

“I don’t think there’s anything special about me. But when I have a goal, no one can stop me from achieving it, it might take time, but I’ll get there. That’s what makes me unique. Even in the army when I heard things like ‘the boys will do this,’ I purposely volunteered for that task not to prove a point, but because I truly believe there’s nothing we can’t do. It’s all in the mind.”

21. What do you like to do in your free time besides basketball?

“I really love video games, I even stream sometimes when I have time. I’m addicted to the gym, I really enjoy cooking and of course eating.”

22. What’s your biggest dream?

“Hmm, tough question, but actually the simplest answer: to be a mother. To build my family, cook meals for them and of course go to Holon games together.” 😊