Images: Populous
Architecture and design firm Populous has unveiled its newly created Video Assistant Referee (VAR) facility at Stockley Park, with the space to serve as a hub for match officials working in the Premier League.
The bespoke facility has been built by the Populous EMEA Design & Build team, with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) organisation having an input into the design.
The space includes preparation and debrief areas for pre- and post-match, and a dedicated VAR hub for each match being covered by the VAR and assistant video referee. It also includes an elite conditioning space and a designated recovery area for officials to maintain physical training in line with schedules.
The opening of the new building has been facilitated by investment in the Elite Referee Development Plan. It is hoped the facility will provide an “elite environment” for VAR teams to best support on-field officials.
PGMOL also worked with Instinct Laboratory and the IMG agency on the creation, design, build and technical aspects of the facility, which opened in time for the start of the Premier League season on Friday.
David Land, managing director of Populous EMEA Design & Build, said: “This has been an exciting project to work on with PGMOL. From initial space planning through to the final buildout, we collaborated closely with Instinct Laboratory and IMG to create a bespoke facility that is designed to help the VAR officials perform to their optimum level.”
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer, added: “It’s a cutting edge and completely bespoke elite performance facility, an environment where the best possible outcomes can be achieved in the VAR space to benefit the game.
“It’s not only the perfect space for our officials to work when they are acting as VAR or AVAR though, there are other areas for our officials to focus pre-game and debrief post-game, whilst there’s a gym and a recovery area, as well as a training centre, both for VAR work and for general refereeing development.
“Good officiating always starts on the field of play and we expect good performance, but VAR plays its part to ensure that outcomes of games are not decided by clear and obvious errors – we want VAR to be a positive influence.”
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