Ahead of the Premier League Asia Trophy the PGMO officials at the tournament have been helping to train the next generation of referees from Hong Kong through the Premier Skills programme
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongBefore the Premier League Asia Trophy started, match officials from the PGMO went to Hong Kong early to participate on a Premier Skills course with the Hong Kong FA
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongLed by Select Group official Bobby Madley, they have been helping to train 50 local referees from a new Under-19 academy
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongWorking in the classroom and with practical sessions at Happy Valley Racecourse, the Hong Kong officials have been learning from the best
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongThe 50 local referees feature a number of female officials, hoping to emulate Gigi Law (not pictured) who has become a FIFA referee
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongOne thing they have learnt at the sessions is the importance of controlling their body language to help maintain calm at key moments
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongAs well as learning the basics of offside from PGMO assistant referees Marc Perry and Matthew Wilkes (pictured) the local referees have been taught about player management
Premier Skills referee course in Hong Kong“I have been impressed by their high technical ability and enthusiasm,” said Madley of the young officials
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongPGMO's Paul Tierney explains an important point to the local referees
Premier Skills referee course in Hong KongPremier Skills has been active in Hong Kong since 2009 and the next generation of the island's referees are enjoying the benefit of the British Council and Premier League programme
