A group of up-and-coming young referees and assistant referees have been urged to reach for the top at a UEFA course – and are being given every help by European football's governing body to achieve that ambition.

The match officials were at UEFA headquarters in Nyon for the latest annual talents and mentors course, in which promising young referees are taken under the charge of former international referees. Practical sessions, discussions and a fitness test were among the items on the agenda.

The referees and assistants – the talents – are fostered by experienced mentors, who themselves are seasoned former international referees. The mentors remain in constant contact with their junior counterparts by email or phone, and by either visiting them or inviting them to their respective countries. Their conversations focus on on-field performances as well as other matters such as diet and general conduct.

UEFA took great pains to emphasise the opportunity that the young referees are being given to stride forward in their careers. "Use this chance, use it well," UEFA vice-president and UEFA Referees Committee chairman Angel Maria Villar Llona stressed to participants. "Many of the referees who have refereed club and national-team finals have followed this same programme." He also thanked the mentors for the dedicated work they are undertaking to uphold the quality of refereeing in Europe for the future, UEFA official website reported.