Sports Technology: An evolution into the future

Tom Hill, Director of Sport and Performance (K to 12), Wenona School

Tom Hill, Director of Sport and Performance (K to 12), Wenona School

Over the past decade, technological evolution has zrevolutionized the sports industry globally, with a proliferation of sport-related apps and platforms transforming the way we play, watch, and enjoy the sport.

Today, even grassroots clubs, associations, and competitions have access to sophisticated data management platforms. They have simplified the capture, storage, integration, analysis, and sharing of data, turning laborious tasks into manageable chunks and easing the administrative pressure on a shrinking volunteer workforce. This technology has also helped to satisfy the ‘need it now’ generation of sport participants, hardwired to expect instant gratification.

The advent of wearable technology like the Apple Watch has effectively put a personal trainer on our wrists, enabling us to track things like activity, sleep, nutrition, and heart rate, all at the flick of a button. The benefits of this extend far beyond sport, enabling us to monitor our health, lifestyle, and wellbeing 24/7.

In the world of elite sport, both individual and team performances are now routinely analyzed via video, statistics, and GPS from an endless number of angles. Sophisticated technology such as real-time simulation, biomechanical movement tracking, and in-depth data analytics help to dissect technique and performance, and more accurately pinpoint opportunities for improvement or the exposure of an opposition’s weakness.

The physiological data that is now captured ‘live’ has not only enhanced the information available to coaches, players, sport science and medical staff but is also now streamed into the lounge rooms of sports fans. Today, a proliferation of team and league apps have enabled armchair critics to dissect each player’s performance from the comfort of their own home. And of course, there’s the meteoric rise in ‘fantasy’ teams and leagues, empowering fans to handpick their squad of players based on statistics.

The amount of data available since the start of the millennium, primarily facilitated by the growth in the performance analysis industry, is remarkable. At the current pace of change, I imagine it will soon be possible to measure, compare, and track intangible factors of performance such as culture, attitude, resilience, and psychological state. And with the workforce population of tertiary-educated, tech-savvy, entrepreneurial Generation Z influencers predicted to rise from 14 percent to 33 percent within the next decade, these trends are likely to continue.

Where it could go wrong

In today’s world, data is a commodity, and the sports industry is no different. Across every sport, data is routinely being used to guide decision making, but I question if there is a thing as too much data? And do we all have the ability to critically analyze the information we are capturing? As the saying goes, the stats don’t lie in sport, but they can also tell many stories.

While technological advancements in sport have increased the capacity to collect more data, do we have enough people with the knowledge or skills to effectively interpret the numbers and tell the story we need to hear or want to sell?

Today, even grassroots clubs, Associations, and competitions Have access to sophisticated data Management platforms

Often when working with performance teams, I would hear statements such as, “Have you seen this latest report? Look what I’ve added to our game capture! I think this data and system I’ve created is the way forward.” On the flip side, I would hear coaches and players asking, “Why are we collecting this information? When will the data I’m inputting lead to a change in behavior or performance? Will this report help the players and team improve, change, learn…win?” Naturally, this can be applied to any environment and not just elite teams.

In an environment overloaded with data, it’s imperative to consider the problem you are trying to solve carefully. What is the purpose of capturing specific data? Coaches and athletes need to have absolute clarity about this so that the right solution can be tested and implemented. Once this is established, it is much easier to determine how to store, manage, and zanalyze data.

With so much technology on offer, consumers must identify a platform and methodology that is responsive to change, provides reliable data via time efficient inputs, is easy to administer, and provides immediate feedback. It must also be user-friendly so that it can be used simultaneously by different members of a team or club. And of course, it’s imperative to employ or train someone with the skills to interpret the information in a meaningful way.

The other challenge to consider in the age of ‘data overabundance’ is the privacy and ethical security of data. This is particularly important when storing sensitive and personal information. This pertains to where data is stored, how it is used, and who can access it, as well as determining who actually ‘owns’ the data! In professional sport, these issues are generally well managed by contractual agreements; however, for the community association or local club looking for a shiny new tool to help get the job done quickly, it can be risky. My suggestion: always do your due diligence and read the fine print!

Predicting the future…

So where is sports technology headed? Think Augmented Reality (AR) and the expansion of eSports into the traditional sports space to connect with younger generations. The International Olympic Committee is constantly evolving its competition inclusions, and eSports is well and truly on its radar, which will fundamentally shift the meaning of ‘sport.’

Similarly, with so much technology competing for our attention, the way sporting venues and stadiums attempt to engage spectators will be radically different. Not only will this include ‘in the seat’ dining, commentary, data analysis, and video replays, but one day spectators may also be able to customise their experience via headsets and ‘in-game’ apps, even ‘controlling’ the result or creating scenarios they want to see. In comparison to Australia, the fan experience is much more sophisticated in other countries, but with new stadiums scheduled to be built on Australian soil in the near future, hopefully, we will see significant technological advancements coming to the fore here too.

On the performance side, expect and Virtual Reality (VR) to be routinely used to fast-track a player’s decision-making ability and game awareness. As the speed and physical impact of elite sport increases, there’s a growing demand to balance players’ time and wellbeing. Players recovering from injury and time out from the game often struggle to instantly regain their match responsiveness. The continuation of cognitive connection to the game in readiness for when they physically re-join the team via VR technology could be a solution that will decrease lag time between world-class performances.

Finally, as a relatively new entrant to the billion-dollar school sport sector, I can see huge and exciting potential for innovation. While schools are large, complex organisms that evolve slowly to ensure the foundations of what they represent are maintained, there are significant technological advancements already occurring. Whether that be microchipped bibs and automatic timing systems for athletic events, exposure to the latest sports science testing protocols or video integration and learning, there is a definite appetite for change.

At Wenona, we are in the final stages of building a new high tech, sporting, and STEM facility that will revolutionize the way we deliver our programs, launching us forward to meet the changing demands of the modern students and stakeholders. Having said that, there is still a growing need to streamline the integration of data to better support the successful organization of sport with the limited education platforms available.

So over to you, the budding creators of the future! I can’t wait to see where you lead us.