The PGMO will now be known as Pro Ref as a ‘new chapter’ for refereeing in England was announced.
The organisation responsible for match officials in the Premier League and across England is formally changing its identity.
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Having previously been called Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), it will now adopt the title Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref).
Chief Operating Officer Danielle Every said: “The extensive change happening within the organisation has been supported by the competitions and is being enabled by a fully-funded three-year plan.
“Our new name signifies these changes and progress, giving us a more modern, professional and relevant identity which is more representative of the organisation we are now and want to be in the future.
“Working in partnership with The FA, we are determined to make the refereeing pathway clearer, stronger and more accessible than ever before, connecting grassroots, semi-professional and professional football, and removing historical barriers to progression.
“For the 41,000 referees already operating across England, and for the next generation coming through, these changes are about showing that there is a genuine pathway, a clear ambition and a real opportunity to progress to the very highest levels of the game.”
Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb added: “Our focus is always on delivering the highest possible level of on-field performance and, through close collaboration and the support of the Premier League, EFL, FA and WSL Football.
“We’re modernising our structures, better supporting referees and making our pathways more dynamic to recognise high-performing and talented officials – something we believe will stand us and the game in good stead now and in the future.
“An environment focused on high performance is fundamental to enhancing refereeing standards whilst a clearer and more contemporary representation of professional refereeing in England is vital to support the ongoing development in our area of the game, attracting the best people to fulfil the integral role officials play each and every week.”
What else is changing?
The change of name from PGMO to Pro Ref comes amid significant switches to the organisation to help refereeing as a whole.
The FA state that the organisation is going through a ‘period of transformation’ to deliver the highest level of officiating.
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A new three-year agreement with the Premier League, EFL, FA and WSL has led to increased funding to help with coaching and performance support for match officials.
The Premier League-driven Elite Referee Development Plan (ERDP) is now entering its fifth year of funding, which will help continue to create a pathway to elite officiating across all levels.
As part of the ERDP, a revamped programme will help educate the next generation of referees coming through, as well as educate academy players about officiating.
A section of the FA’s statement reads: “These initiatives will continue to complement The FA’s model across grassroots and semi-professional levels while strengthening the refereeing pathway both now and in the future.”
On top of that, there have also been structural changes to create ‘greater competition and flexibility in appointments’.
Officials will no longer be split into multiple groups and instead be part of the ‘Professional Referee Group’ in the men’s game, all working on Premier League and Championship from next season.
And it is due to the multiple changes that the switch of name has been agreed upon to create a new identity.
