Edge Hill University has partnered with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to deliver the Elite Referee Development Plan, a collaborative project aimed at enhancing the physical performance and training of professional football referees. Founded in 2001, PGMOL is responsible for managing referees and officials across all professional football matches in England, including the Premier League. Central to their mission is the improvement of refereeing standards through the appointment, training, and physical preparation of match officials.
The challenge facing referees mirrors the demands placed on professional footballers. Each week, referees cover approximately 10km per match and, similar to players, may officiate multiple games, including international fixtures and tournaments. To maintain high standards, referees must sustain rigorous fitness levels, routinely assessed throughout the season. Ensuring that referees meet these physical demands is critical to the integrity and quality of professional football.
Since October 2025, Edge Hill University has hosted a group of referees from the North West region, providing a bespoke strength and conditioning programme. The University’s unique combination of academic sports science labs, sports therapy clinics, and Sports Centre facilities has allowed the team to deliver comprehensive physical training.
Peter Bankes, Premier League and FIFA referee, said of the collaboration:
“At Edge Hill, we have access to a range of facilities, including a private suite for strength & conditioning training, the on-site gym, track & pitches, and our recovery needs. It is a high-class facility with excellent coaches and helps me keep my performance at a high standard.”
Referees participate in two strength training sessions per week, supported by sports therapy staff who provide soft-tissue massage and recovery guidance. Additional training takes place across pool, track, and pitch-based sessions, utilising the full range of the University’s Sports Centre facilities. This hands-on approach has also created opportunities for sports therapy students to gain experience working with elite athletes in a live setting.
A highlight of the collaboration has been the application of Edge Hill’s ‘pracademic’ expertise, combining academic research with practical experience. Staff, all of whom have worked in elite football, have adapted their knowledge to meet the novel challenges presented by referees, offering insights distinct from those typically focused on players. The project has also contributed to academic progression: one BSc and MRes alumna, herself a match official, secured a funded PhD studentship with PGMOL as a result of her involvement.
Looking ahead, the collaboration aims to expand beyond strength and conditioning, incorporating recovery, rehabilitation, and research initiatives.
Prof Matt Greig, Associate Head, Dept of Sport & Physical Activity explained:
“This project has been a great opportunity to showcase what we can do, and the real value of our pracademic staff and our campus. It has also been a great example of how different parts of the University can come together to support a project… Our sports therapy students have also benefitted from a live project, and staff have really enjoyed the opportunity.”
Future plans include applying research on player workload, fixture congestion, and injury risk to officials, as well as engaging referees in discussions with students to share their experiences.
The Edge Hill University and the PGMOL partnership demonstrates the impact of collaborative knowledge exchange in sport. By integrating practical training, academic expertise, and student engagement, the project ensures that referees maintain peak performance while contributing to the broader development of sports science and referee education.
If you are interested in speaking to Prof. Greig and his team about how Edge Hill can support your project, please contact: [email protected]
