Newry sports analytics firm scores with US Soccer Federation deal worth £1bn
A NORTHERN Ireland sports analytics firm has secured a £1bn deal with the US Soccer Federation.
STATSports, based in Newry, has secured a deal which will see millions of registered footballers wearing its performance technology.
The firm uses a combination of GPS, accelerometers and magnetometers to allow coaches and athletes to measure the minutiae of their performance.
The technology was developed by entrepreneurs Alan Clarke and Sean O’Connor.
Innovator: STATsports
STATSports already supplies clubs in the English Premier League, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hot- spur and the Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and England football associations.
NFL, NHL, Rugby Union, NBA, Track and Field and Hockey also use the company’s APEX Team Series GPS units which provide real-time data to players and coaches to drive improved performance.
STATSports Group managing director Jarlath Quinn said: “Players, parents and coaches are looking for data that can really help them improve and the APEX Athlete series GPS units do just that.
“Our expectation is for millions of registered players in the US to be wearing these devices by 2022 and this will revolutionise the way young players train, recover and perform.
“This will be the world’s largest data collection programme on athletes in any sport across both professional and recreational levels. The information is so rich it enables everyone to make better decisions on training and performance.
“Key performance indicators are emerging by position that will assist with developing national standards, player development initiatives, national team selections, in-game tactical considerations, reviewing training responses in real time and adjusting practices based upon environmental change and conditions.”
Ryan Mooney, US Soccer director of sport development, said: “This technology will drive our support, improve performance, and better monitor health and safety across all of our national teams.
“By partnering with a world leader in wearable performance tracking, we will help drive and improve player environments through the exchange of data between clubs and US Soccer as players enter and leave national team camps. Over time, this information will be used to research, support and educate the entire landscape.”