David Elleray On Refs

Are you sure ref? World cup fever hits the Science Museum’s Dana Centre

Legendary international referee, David Elleray, will debate whether crowds influence referees’ decisions with a leading research scientist at the Dana Centre in London.

Elleray, former international football referee, rejects any notion that crowds play a part in decisions. He’ll discuss how referees ignore external influences on their decision-making with Professor Alan Nevill whose studies of football crowds and referees show that home advantage is huge and that referees are affected by their environment.

The debate will be taking place at the Dana Centre – the Science Museum’s ambient adults-only bar and café for discussing contemporary science & technology – on Thursday 25 May.

It is part of a one-off free evening looking at the science and psychology of football in the run up to the World Cup. Visitors will also get the chance to have to test the latest technology to see if their kicking ability is up there with the best and discuss the importance of nutrition in performance.

Football Fever· Date: Thursday 25 May, 18.30-22.00 · Venue: Dana Centre, 165 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5HD· Tube: Gloucester Road· Tickets to all events are FREE and open to anyone over the age of 18, but you must register on: 020 7942 4040 or tickets@danacentre.org.uk· Check out the website for full listings www.danacentre.org.uk.

Can you kick it? d.cafe – all night
Cutting-edge motion-sensing technology will be on trial all night in the Dana Centre bar and café area for visitors to test their ball skills. This is a unique opportunity for members of the public to use such new technology.

Developed by Loughborough’s sport technology research centre, the QuinSpin captures images of the ball in flight and uses image recognition and 3D analysis software to compute the ball flight parameters. It provides instantaneous measurements of ball velocity, elevation, spin rate and spin axis orientation and is used by coaches in training sessions.

Robot football d.cafe – all night
Visitors will also be able to have a go at robot football by programming robots to compete in a game.

Are you sure ref? d.studio 19.00-19.40 & 20.15-20.55
A must-see talk for any football supporter – this event gets straight to the heart of the psychology of football. Professor Alan Nevill, University of Wolverhampton and loyal Arsenal fan, has conducted research which seems to prove what every fan has long suspected: that refs are influenced by crowds and a home game is a massive advantage for a team. Does this mean Germany will win the World Cup? And what does an internationally respected referee have to say about such as claim?

David Elleray, former international and Premier League football referee, will be taking the stand to talk about the pressures of being a ref. Elleray was there when Ryan Giggs scored his wonder goal and when David Beckham scored from his own half, and he’ll present his side to the story.

How Not To Become A Couch Potato d.study 19.15-19.55 & 20.30-21.10
As Spurs stomachs its recent devastating loss, the Dana Centre looks at nutrition, health and the role they have on performance. A leading sports nutritionist reveals all.

Round-Up d.cafe 21.20-21.50
Has the appliance of science really improved football? Can science really help win the match? David Elleray and Professor Alan Nevill debate the influence of science and technology on football, past, present and future.

Kat Nilsson, Events Manager at the Dana Centre and Science Museum said: “In the World Cup build-up, the Dana Centre will move beyond hype and look at the hard science and psychology behind the game. David Elleray has been at the sharp end and visitors will get a unique insight into the world of the ref.”

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