IMPROVING REFEREEING AT BIRMINGHAM FA

BACKGROUND

Birmingham County FA (Football Association) is responsible for the training and development of referees in the county. They have 1,200 referees under their jurisdiction, who officiate in games from the grassroots level up to the Premier League. In order to improve the performance of its referees, Birmingham FA has chosen Pixellot’s AI-automated system to accomplish its goals.

CHALLENGE

One of the key challenges that Birmingham FA faced in its referee development program was the lack of accurate and objective assessment of referee performance. This made it difficult for the federation to identify specific areas where referees needed to improve and provide targeted feedback and training. Additionally, the cost and time associated with manual filming and analysis of games was a major limitation.

SOLUTION

Pixellot’s AI-automated sports production system is comprised of a multi-array camera unit that is either permanently installed at a venue or a portable camera unit that can be set up easily when needed at a distant or temporary location. Using advanced algorithms to capture and analyze the games, the system captures a panoramic view of the whole field, automatically tracking the movement of players and the ball. The system was purposely designed to make generating highlights and other video content quick and easy for training and monitoring.

IMPLEMENTATION

Birmingham FA has implemented Pixellot in its training and development program for referees. The system is used to capture and analyze games across all levels of play, from grassroots to the Premier League. The Federation and the referees themselves are using the video and analysis provided by the Pixellot system to identify areas where they can improve as well as provide targeted feedback and training.

OUTCOME

The implementation of Pixellot has significantly improved the accuracy and objectivity of referee assessments. The system has been providing automated video footage for the analysis of referee movement, decision-making, and other key performance indicators, enabling the federation to identify specific areas where referees need to improve.

The panoramic view allows trainers and the referees to see the bigger picture; movement on the field, how they cover distances and position themselves to make accurate decisions.

Having the Pixellot system at all competitions allows the Federation and its referees to have a standardized video format for analysis and evaluation and the use of video highlights and in-game footage has made the training and development process more efficient.

In the future, Birmingham FA plans to continue using Pixellot in its training and development program and may explore other ways to incorporate the system’s data and analysis into its operations.

BENEFITS

• Improving the quality of the refereeing: Pixellot’s system provides high-quality footage for the training and evaluation of referees, helping to improve their accuracy and consistency.
• Quick turnaround saves time and manpower while making the information highly relevant for use.
• Standardizing the oversight of the referees: Pixellot’s system records matches at all levels to ensure all referees are held to the same standard.
• Allowing self-improvement for the referees: Pixellot’s system provides consistent footage for referees to review their own performance and improve.
• Supporting disciplinary committees: Pixellot’s system provides a neutral view of events on the field, useful for disciplinary proceedings, especially in contentious incidents.

Keiran Forest, Referee Development Officer

“Using video with the full panoramic view is a massive benefit to identify areas to develop and also allow referees to reflect on their own performance. Without it, we may have missed key incidents and challenges occurring beyond what’s happening around the ball.”