Global performance technology developer for in elite sports, Catapult Group International Limited (ASX:CAT) has teamed up with Super League (SLE) and Sky Sports to break new ground with a UK first in delivering real-time player statistics direct to the viewer at home.
This is a significant milestone for the sport as it will be the first time this information has been broadcast live in the UK.
Whilst players at all 12 Betfred Super League clubs wear Catapult devices, Dacia Magic Weekend will be the first time Catapult’s player data will go direct to the broadcaster via Catapult’s SaaS offering, deepening fan engagement and growing Catapult’s exposure.
Elite athletes rely on Catapult’s wearable solution, Vector, for the most accurate and efficient data to empower critical decisions about performance, risk, and return to play.
Vector is the world’s smallest GNSS/LPS device, delivering live algorithms, communications, and enhanced functionality. Indoors and outdoors, Vector combines advanced GNSS capability with Catapult’s ClearSky LPS to set new standards for tracking accuracy and reliability.
The insights will focus on only three metrics, distance covered by each player (metres), top speeds achieved (km/h) and game intensity, measured by how many metres a player runs each minute (m/min).
The data will be delivered in real-time to Sky Sports and broadcast direct to viewers during the game. Dacia Magic Weekend is the perfect opportunity to showcase this technology given that all six matches in Round 23 of Betfred Super League will be played at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
These statistics will showcase the outstanding athleticism of Super League players and highlight stand out individual performances.
The development will give Sky Sports’ Super League commentators immediate access to intricate tracking detail, meaning already comprehensive analysis can be even more exhaustive, showcasing to viewers the extreme athleticism of the players on the pitch.
“Super League is an exciting league with a track-record of innovation,” says Will Lopes, CEO of Catapult. “We’re excited to show fans a glimpse of the performance analytics that empower their athletes and coaches with actionable insights regarding player performance, health, and wellness with our data.”
The UK broadcast achievement adds to Catapult’s successful track record of partnering with other professional sporting codes and broadcasters to drive greater fan engagement. In Australia, this has long been exemplified by the Telstra Tracker, which features in AFL and NRL broadcasts and is powered by Catapult’s data and technology.