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PGMOL STAGE SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE

Eighth annual event is attended by over 450 officials

The eighth – and biggest yet - PGMOL Conference was successfully staged at the weekend. Attended by over 450 officials, assessors, referees and assistant referees, the two-day event covered a variety of topics that will have benefitted the audience, who will be in charge of professional matches in the country throughout the 2008/09 season.

The first day served as an induction for newly promoted referees and assistant referees. They were given a fitness session and advised on their diet and nutrition before covering a range of topics which included discussing the expectations of the official, post-match management through to the role of the coach.

Whilst this was going on Assessors were reviewing amendments to the assessment scheme and looking at appraisal feedback, practical exercise and group work and considering the view of the coach.

On day two, the group came together to be officially welcomed by PGMOL Chairman Peter Heard. This was followed by a presentation about the new ‘Respect programme’ from Jonathan Hall from the FA and Select Group Referee Chris Foy.

David Allison provided a review of 2007/08, identifying the key areas everyone can learn from to make the new campaign even better, before the group then broke off for a series of workshops during the afternoon session.

After viewing some example video clips the Workshop groups discussed:

• Movement and Positioning.

• Unfair Challenges

• Offside

• Assisting the Assistant

• Persistently Infringing the Laws

• Respect Programme

Everyone in the afternoon returned to the main hall to hear from the FA’s Ian Blanchard who explained the changes that were taking place at grass roots level that they hope will encourage more people to take up refereeing.

The Conference then came to a close when Keith Hackett provided a summary of the conference.

In reviewing the event, he commented: “We have had the opportunity to discuss and consider your movement and positioning during phases play. You have used the opportunity to exchange skills sets and I want that to continue.

“We have demonstrated that we can deliver to the PFA and the LMA their requirement regarding serious foul play. Challenges that endanger the safety of an opponent are unacceptable and you had the courage, quite correctly, to go to the straight red.

“The player has to have control over the speed and intensity of the challenge. It is your duty to see, think and act.

“You cannot buck the responsibility.

“I believe that we are getting the message over and you have had the opportunity to discuss how we can improve detection of these offences.

“In this room we have a lot of skill, a lot of excellent, experienced officials. The PGMOL are committed to continuing to develop excellence in our officials.

"We are committed to improving on field performance. If we stand still we regress.

“The PGMOL will not be complacent; we want that standard to increase.

“Many challenges lay ahead and we need to deal with them correctly and in an efficient manner.

“The PGMOL is here to support you.”