Match Assessors

An assessor working for PGMOL has been an active match official in the professional game who has trained as an assessor and has been accredited to work in The FA Premier League, The Football League and The Football Conference as well as in Reserve Team Competitions.

He reports to a Divisional Manager who in turn reports to The Management Team including the General Manager and has two key functions: 

• Guardian of standards in terms of the Application of Laws of Association Football
• Acknowledgement of good practice and advising on strategies for improving performance and developing the skills of referees, assistant referees and 4th officials

Each match official’s performance has to be measured against a national standard and percentage marks awarded to inform a merit table.

In order to carry out this role, an assessor has to be present pre match to make contact with the refereeing team and then observe all 4 officials in action from a position over the halfway line thus having a clear and unobstructed view of the four officials. Relevant information is recorded as the game is played to facilitate the recall of events to inform both the verbal and the written feedback.

What does the assessor look for during the game? 

• Accuracy of Law application
• Player management skills
• The overall quality of teamwork between the four members of the referee’s team
• Technical skills displayed by referees and assistant referees

Post match, the assessor de-briefs the team in their dressing room, alluding to the above areas of the performances of the four officials offering praise for those aspects of their performances that were demonstrated well and giving practical advice to address any shortcomings that have been noted.  Accuracy of decision making regarding key incidents, such as penalty kicks awarded or not awarded, are later checked against a video / DVD before completing the written report which is usually compiled within 24 hours of the game and fed back to the individuals concerned, their coaches and the appropriate League or Competition.  Speedy feedback is important to enable the recipients to consider the advice contained in the report prior to the next game and it is a fundamental requirement that there will be no surprises in the written report as everything that is written should have been discussed in the de-brief at the ground immediately after the game.  

All PGMOL assessors are accredited having attended two full day training Seminars each season, and their written reports are appraised twice a season to ensure that they continue to meet the standards expected by PGMOL of its assessors with their position on the National List reviewed twice per season.    

Assessors play a vital part in the training and development of the match officials operating in the professional game and PGMOL insists that they, too, are accountable to the Management Team for maintaining their own high standards so that the active match officials are supported in their endeavours to produce high quality on field performances week in, week out.

Derek Bray, PGMOL Assessment Co-ordinator.  20.05.08.

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