STATSports land major US deal
LOCAL company STATSports, which has just signed a ground-breaking £1billion deal to partner with the U.S. Soccer Federation, is already taking on extra staff.
Founded by Bellurgan native Sean O’ Connor and Dundalk man Alan Clarke, the company has become a world leader in performance tracking systems in just a decade, and has revolutionised the way in which players train and sport is analysed, coached and viewed by combining cutting edge technology and sports science.
Head quartered in Newry, the company has offices in Dundalk, London, Chicago and Florida, and supplies clubs in the English Premier League, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Brazil, Germany, Portugal, Belgium and England football associations, as well as Ireland’s Grand Slam winning team. 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.
STATSports Group Managing Director Jarlath Quinn said: ‘Our expectation is for millions of registered players in the U.S. 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.’
U.S. Soccer will roll the technology out in two tiers. 6,500 APEX Team Series systems will be deployed across the U.S. Men’s National Team, Women’s National Team, Paralympic National Team, Futsal National Team, Beach Soccer National Team, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Youth National Teams and Development Academy clubs.
The company also announced plans to roll out the first version of its Apex Athlete Series, a consumer-focused product that will eventually go on sale to the general public
The Apex device is worn in a vest and positioned between the shoulder blades during training and matches.
The company currently employs around 50 peopwle and hopes to grow its workforce to 300. Fra Byrne, Newtownbalregan winner of the VW Golf in the Dundalk Credit Union Car draw receiving his keys from Pauline Crosby, Dundalk Credit Union with Mark Conlon of Gerry Cumiskey Main VW Dealer. A charge of assault causing harm against a St Patrick’s Gaelic footballer has been struck out, following the payment of compensation.
The matter arose from a game between the Pat’s and Sean O’Mahony’s in Lordship on 9 October, 2015.
Sean Connor, Moneymore, Carlingford was charged with assault causing harm to the O’Mahony’s Stephen Fisher.
A previous court hearing heard of a head butt which resulted in a scar to Mr Fisher’s face, just under his left eye, that was inspected by the judge before he commented on the difference in height between the two men.
Sean Connor has no previous convictions, and Stephen Fisher is a member of the Defence Forces.
At Dundalk district court last week, defence solicitor Conor MacGuill said ‘a sum has been paid’.
There is €1,000 outstanding, which is being held in a solicitor’s account.
Solicitor Niall Breen, representing Mr Fisher, indicated his satisfaction at the arrangement.
Judge Coughlan struck out the charge