ISL kicks off premier skills referee development programme in Mumbai

Premier Skills, a partnership between the British Council and the Premier League, launc h ed its hugely successful Referee Development initiative, in Mumbai in partnership with the Indian Super League and All India Football Federation on Monday. The training will continue until March 1.

Premier Skills uses football as a tool to help develop both community coaching and English language skills. The programme trains sports coaches, referees and youth leaders to return to their own communities and enhance their existing football sessions, whilst also developing their leadership skills and a greater understanding of the role football can play in tackling other social issues.

The referee development programme will be led by Ray Olivier, Head of Professional Referee Development for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). He is now responsible for the training and development of all the match officials within the professional game. Ray will be supported by Iain Williamson, Match Observer & CORE Performance Coach, PGMOL.

The training will involve participants who are interested in becoming or further developing as a referee within their communities. The programme strongly advocates gender equality through sport and strives to maximise the female participation. The 30 participants in the programme have been selected from the Maharashtra Football Association.