Leeds drone specialist Coptrz has been helping refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to introduce drones into its match official training as the new Premier League season gets underway.
Coptrz has been holding sessions with PGMOL referees and assistant referees overseeing practice matches, then analysing their movements from above with views captured by DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI M30 drones.
The training aims to help referees work on refining their positioning during key moments of matches, while assistants can look at how to improve their line of sight for incidents such as offsides.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has been striving to improve refereeing since taking charge in his role last season, which has led to more investment in coaching of officials than ever before, as well as a concerted PR push by Webb over the opening Premier League weekend to explain some of this season’s new rule changes and innovations across the football media.
Adam Carter, head of performance analysis at PGMOL, said: “The use of technology in sport is constantly evolving and we are committed to ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of innovation.
“The introduction of drones into our training programme has meant that we can now capture game scenarios from a new and beneficial viewpoint, which is playing an important part in preparing our officials for their fixtures both at home and across the world.”
Coptrz business development director George Burne added: “Teaming up with the PGMOL is a key milestone for Coptrz as a business and will really demonstrate the positive impact drone technology can have at the highest level of the professional game.
“We look forward to working with PGMOL to provide referees and assistant referees in football with even greater analysis within their regular training scenarios.”
