The Memorandum of Understanding between NZF and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) will see an annual visit of up to four New Zealand referees to England each year to take part in seminars and workshops run by PMGOL, as well as referee in Premier League Reserve fixtures.
The visiting referees will also get access to training material and technical analysis as used by top English referees.
New Zealand referees including World Cup officials Michael Hester and Peter O’Leary have previously visited England on similar visits, and NZF referee development officer Ken Wallace is excited to have formalised the arrangement.
“The English are leading the world in many aspects of referee development, especially in the areas of education and the application of technology and sport science, so to tap into that knowledge and experience is a great opportunity for our referees,” Wallace says.
In future years, PGMOL general manager Mike Riley and a select group referee will visit New Zealand to present at NZF referees workshops.
Chairman of the NZF Referees Committee Rod Pelosi is delighted to see the fruition of several years of close cooperation and ongoing relationships with Riley and his predecessor Keith Hackett.
“The support that Mike Riley, Keith Hackett and their organisation have shown is great for the sport and this agreement will enhance the capabilities of our referees,” Pelosi says.
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