When it comes to embracing technology in sports, most people would cite tennis, cricket, the NBA, F1 or rugby as having the most impressive track records. Certainly, the governing bodies and some of the teams in these sports have led the way but, industry-wide, football is not just finding its way out of the shadows, in many cases it is heading to the fore.

There are two bases for this claim, firstly the sheer volume of football technology being produced – largely by dynamic young businesses who understand the scalability of a successful proposition within the space. Secondly, the prevalence of impressive budgets gives marketers scope to embrace fresh creative thinking – which inevitably means turning to high tech solutions.

Based on the findings of the 2018 Yahoo Sports Technology Awards, football is shouldering its way to the front of tech in ways that span fan engagement, player performance, grassroots participation and marketing.

Many entries caught the judges’ eye, here are just a few:

• After winning, P&L is probably the second greatest consideration for most sports clubs, brands helping brands maximize their bottom lines include Sports Engineers, Nielsen and Kore
• The challenge of continuing to impress sophisticated fans is ever-present, the organizations doing this through embracing technology were Audi (who can forget the Jurgen Klopp hologram press conference), the EFL, Juventus, rivals Swansea and Cardiff (which made for some cross-table banter at the awards ceremony), BT and UEFA
• Player performance is crucial but balancing this with proper management of their welfare is increasingly an issue finding tech-led solutions, the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards’ judges particularly rated the work being done by care, Gait Up and Catapult

With so much technology talent on show, it is almost invidious to highlight specific brands, but omission of any organization shortlisted is no reflection on the excellence of their work. The standard of entries to the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards is as impressive as it is varied so it takes knowledgeable judges to determine the eventual winners. Fortunately, this is something that the Sports Technology Awards Group has in spades, with industry giants including Gareth Southgate, Richard Bevan, David Dein, Graham Poll, Louis Saha and Thomas Hall Robson-Kanu having served on the panel.

Whilst the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards celebrates tech-led innovation in sports, its sister award, the STA Startups, celebrate sports innovation from inception. Established in 2017 and aimed at sports technology companies which are less than five years old, it is also finding that the sports tech start-up market is favouring football.

Entries to both awards close on 23^rd November 2018 (with a week’s extension for a late submission fee); details on categories, judges and entry forms can be found at www.sportstechgroup.org/awards/ or call the sales office on +44 (0) 20 3150 2080

Click to learn more about the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and Sports Technology Awards Startups.

ActiveLab is ukactive’s global launchpad for innovation in physical activity, supported by Life Fitness and Jonas Software. ActiveLab is looking for technology-focused businesses who are willing to scale their product throughout the United Kingdom in an effort to get more people, more active, more often.  Applications for the 2019 programme are open now, closing on 9^th December.

 

ActiveLab is a cost and equity free accelerator programme and constitutes an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded people who strive to bring technology to the forefront of the fitness and physical activity sector. Our workshops and events provide actionable insight and connections specifically aimed at Sport and FitTech start-ups looking to grow their businesses.

 

2019’s programme will be featuring:

• Bespoke insight sessions into the UK’s physical activity market
• 1:1 mentorships with key sector leaders
• ukactive insight, connections and support needed to scale throughout the UK
• Headline presence at key sector events including pitching to over 600 people at Active Uprising and showcasing at other key sector events
• Bespoke investments into growth packages to tackle your greatest growth challenges

 

Information about the programme, including information about applications and last year’s cohort can be found here.

 

About ActiveLab

Since its founding year in 2017, ActiveLab has supported 23 start-ups, enabled businesses to raise over £3million in investment and engaged over 45 experts in programme delivery.

For more information about ActiveLab, please contact Jack Connors on 02074008616, or jackconnors@ukactive.org.uk

www.activelab.co

About ukactive

ukactive is the UK’s leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector, with almost 4,000 members from activity providers to major consumer brands, training facilities and equipment manufacturers. Members come from across the private, public and third sector and are united by ukactive’s longstanding and uncompromising commitment to getting more people, more active, more often.

ukactive facilitates big impact partnerships, conceives and drives breakthrough campaigns, conducts critical research and galvanises key stakeholders to develop and deliver key projects that support and champion the physical activity agenda. The organisation’s efforts are centred on supporting a national ambition to “Turn the tide of physical inactivity”.

For more information about ukactive, please contact Rob Gibson on 02074008631, or robgibson@ukactive.org.uk

www.ukactive.com

Today 31^st October, the Sports Technology Awards Group unveiled Ticketmaster Sport, the global leader of sports ticketing, as the latest Partner in its Global Group Partner program.

The relationship sees Ticketmaster provide ticketing resources for all the Group’s initiatives via its Universe platform, spanning the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards, the Sports Technology Startups and the Sports Technology Talks international series as well as all the Group’s networking events.

Adam Newsam, Managing Director of Ticketmaster Sport, added ‘At Ticketmaster we have a track record of working with the best brands to give fans exceptional service, and this means being at the forefront of technology. The work of the Sports Technology Awards Group is fundamental to the evolution of the sports sector, and we are pleased to be aligned to this. We look forward to working with the Group and its network and providing an outstanding ticketing experience to match an outstanding portfolio of events.’

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of the Group, added ‘We are delighted that Ticketmaster Sport is our Global Ticketing Partner as we now know that guests at our events worldwide will be accessing the best ticketing platform available. Ticketmaster, without doubt, leads the sector. As a Group we are committed to be as tech-forward as possible and Ticketmaster ensures we are on-track with this ambition in this area.’

The Group now has an impressive portfolio of partner brands which includes its Global Legal Partner, international law firm, Charles Russell Speechlys, leading data company Sportradar which powers the Startups, and headline sponsor of the Sports Technology Awards – Yahoo Sports.

A calendar of Group events can be found on the brand’s website – www.sportstechgroup.org – and its biggest event of the year, The Yahoo Sports Technology Awards, will be taking place in London on May 2^nd 2019. Entries for the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and the STA Startups powered by Sportsradar are open now until 5^th December 2018.

Universe, a division of Ticketmaster, is a global platform for anyone to discover and create events. Currently operating in +150 countries, the platform provides event organizers with access to insights, unmatched flexibility, and seamless channels to sell more tickets.

Today sees both the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and STA Startups open entries for 2019. Amongst the perennial favourites, we’ve introduced new categories for sports betting and eSports in the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and, after the success of its inaugural year, the Startups will be expanding so entries can be received by businesses funded from seed capital all the way through to Series C.

For more information, see some of our past winners, or enter either of the Awards right now.

A message from Yahoo Sport, Headline Sponsor of the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards

Yahoo Sport UK will bring football fans closer to the World Cup in Russia this summer with a global daily video series presented by sports journalist and broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury and broadcaster Toby Tarrant. ‘The 32’ will stream live on the Yahoo Sport app and yahoo.co.uk at 8.30am BST every match day during the tournament in Russia, making ‘The 32’ the perfect place for your football fix on the move. The series will also be available to fans around the world via Yahoo’s international editions. Each episode will be available immediately following the live show to stream online or via the Yahoo Sport app, and will feature big-name guests from across the world of football.

Filmed in front of a live studio audience including fans from, and supporting, each of the 32 participating nations, the series promises to bring insight, analysis, irreverence and fan views. Alongside the latest football news from the tournament in Russia, ‘The 32’ will bring fan culture and flavour direct from the venues in Russia with reporter Peter Hall as well as fan reactions in London. The studio in London will welcome big-name guests from the world of football, who will discuss the major tournament news, results, team selections and gossip, whilst the team behind live show and podcast Jim & Dave Have Lost The Dressing Room, Jim Daly and Dave Bibby, will bring their unique take on the tournament.

Reshmin Chowdhury says, “This tournament is always an exciting mix of football, culture, and often a career pinnacle for players. It’s also when friends and families unite to enjoy the beautiful game. Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, or new to the sport, we look forward to sharing your World Cup adventure and bringing you up to speed with all the big news from Russia. We can’t wait to see you every morning!”

Raj Mannick, Head of Sport, Yahoo UK, says, “‘The 32’ will make Russia a tournament to treasure, and we’re delighted to bring this show to audiences wherever they may be on mobile or desktop. If you can’t be in Russia, then ‘The 32’ is a fun show with a super line-up of talent including Reshmin Chowdhury, Toby Tarrant, Jim & Dave and a slew of other big-name guests.”

For your daily football fix, visit Yahoo to watch ‘The 32’ live every day throughout the tournament on the Yahoo Sport app and yahoo.co.uk at 8.30am. You can also follow #The32 via @YahooSportUK.

About Yahoo Sport

Yahoo Sport is connecting fans every day to the sports they love and new sports they are going to love. We’re building a powerhouse of sports content and delivering it on every mobile device.  We deliver a best-in-class mobile experience with original content optimized based on how today’s fan consumes throughout the day.

About Oath

Oath, a subsidiary of Verizon, is a values-led company committed to building brands people love. We reach one billion people around the world with a dynamic house of media and technology brands.

Bright New Businesses Deemed ‘the Ones to Watch’

Today the Sports Technology Awards (STAs), in conjunction with presenting partner, Sportradar, revealed the winners of the inaugural 2018 STA Startup Awards. The line-up of victors featured new businesses representing all aspects of the sector.

The Startups, which attracts entries from around the world, was judged by a panel of 23 industry-leaders including former NFL Kicker and Starters co-founder John Potter, MD for Microsoft Startups, Warwick Hill, and Sports Connect Africa CEO, Cynthia Mumbo.

The categories and winners are:

Best Startup App Company – Find a Player

Best in Coaching, Athlete Performance and Welfare – ATO-GEAR

Best Equipment and Apparel – Morpher Flat-folding Helmet

Best Web, Digital or Integrated Platform – ATO-GEAR

Best Broadcast and Emerging Media – Metaliquid

Best Fan Engagement – Spalk.TV

Best Sport Commerce – SeatServe

Best in eSports – Drone Racing League

Best Participation – Kinetic Insight Ltd

Best Wearable – REFSIX

Best in Gaming and Betting – PROOF OF TOSS

Best in Fantasy Sports – Sport Whispers

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of the Awards said ‘We started this initiative because the Start Up category of the Sports Technology Awards was always very oversubscribed, suggesting that there was a clear opportunity to service this sector of the industry better. The system of judging we use has become recognized as an international mark of excellence within the industry so we hope that the companies who have been successful here today will go onto become major players within sports.’

Alex Inglot, Sportradar’s Commercial Director, added ‘Sportradar was delighted to have the opportunity to work with the STA StartUps as this enables us to deepen our link with innovative technology. Technology is at the heart of everything we do as a business so we wanted the chance to demonstrate this as well as showcase our ongoing support of young businesses and entrepreneurs.’

Click to learn more about the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and Sports Technology Awards Startups.

The Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and the TechTalks are two days away. The aim of the STA TechTalks is to facilitate privileged access to the minds and learnings of international visionaries from across the commercial world. If you are serious about the future of sport, you will want to be in the audience to listen to the insights these visionaries will give you:

 

Benjamin Lickfett, Head of Innovation, Diageo

Transforming Physical Experiences Through AI and Digital Innovation

 

Xavi Cortadellas, Head of Innovation and Design, Gatorade

Unlocking Innovation Working with Pro Teams

 

James Hewitt, Head of Science and Innovation, Hintsa Performance

The Attention Paradox – Improving Cognitive Performance

 

Bill Johnson, Senior Vice President and Design Principal, HOK

How the Latest Architectural Technology is Transforming the Stadium Experience for Fans and Athletes

 

Closing the day will be a Technology and Athlete Welfare panel discussion where the key injury and health topics affecting elite sports people will be reviewed. The panellists are:

 

Bradley Simmonds, former QPR footballer, turned celebrity trainer and social influencer

Wayne Barnes, International Rugby Referee

Mick Fitzgerald, former National Hunt Jockey and TV pundit

Lance Walker, Global Performance Director, Michael Johnson Performance

The event will be opened with a Welcome Introduction from Swiss Ambassador to the UK, Alexandre Fasel. Closing the event will be a roundtable discussion on athlete welfare, featuring industry experts and elite athletes. The mix of industries present on stage will drive a different atmosphere for networking; this isn’t the normal sports industry event where people in sports talk to people in sports about sports. The dynamic will be different in every sense and aims to inspire, inform and entertain.

 

The TechTalks are taking place on 3rd May at the Roundhouse, London. Buy your tickets for the Talks here, or gain free entry by purchasing premium tickets to the STAs, taking place later that same evening.

International Celebration Sees UK Score Five Winners, ROW Achieves 10

Last night (3rd May: London) the winners of the 2018 Yahoo Sports Technology Awards were revealed in a ceremony attended by industry leaders and elite athletes. The event, which has been dubbed ‘The Oscars of Sports Technology’ once again proved its global status with international brands outscoring UK domestic talent by 2:1.

 

The Awards, which celebrates tech-led innovations across all sports, attracts entries from over 30 countries representing 50 sports, in 15 categories which are reviewed by 32 leading industry-figures spanning players, athletes, sports governance and business visionaries.

 

The winners, by category, are:

Best App: Ordnance Survey

Best Broadcaster or Live Sports Experience: LevuroAG

Best Digital Development: The AELTC, Wimbledon and IBM Interactive Experience

Best Elite Performance Technology: OptaPro and TruMedia Networks

Best Elite Sports Facility or Venue: Michael Johnson Performance

Best New Concept or Innovation: Modius

Best Participation Technology: ETH Zurich: Cybathlon

Best Technology for Athlete Welfare: Catapult Sports

Best Technology for Fan Engagement: Tata Consultancy Services

Best Technology for Sports Commerce: Adi.TV and Supponor

Most Innovative Sponsor, Rights Holder or Governing Body: ATP and ATP Media

Most Innovative Sports Equipment or Apparel: Carestream Dental Ltd

Most Innovative Sports Partnership: BT Sport and Yospace

Most Innovative Wearable: Fitbit

Sports Technology Agency of the Year: yoveo and UBS

 

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of the Awards explained ‘We are immensely proud that the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards has become the international mark of excellence of the sector, the global nature and stature of the winning brands confirms this. We are also delighted that in partnering with Yahoo Sports we can deliver an even greater worldwide reach for the brands who are shortlisted and win.’

 

Nicholas Petche, Editor in Chief of Yahoo UK, added ‘Technology is shaping sports like never before which is why Yahoo Sport, on behalf of our audience, is so committed to it. The Sports Technology Awards understands this sector like no other event and we are proud to be title partners. The insight and detail available now enables the industry to inform fans everywhere about the latest news and innovations affecting the sports they love.’

 

Owners of the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards, The STA Group, also announced at the ceremony that Charles Russell Speechlys has become its Global Legal Partner in a three-year deal. Keir Gordon, Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, said ‘This was a great evening to confirm our involvement with the STA Group. Charles Russell Speechlys has a significant track record operating throughout the world across the sport and technology sectors. We look forward to bringing this experience to bear in supporting dynamic, visionary businesses in these fields with their growth – not least of all starting with the STA Group itself.’

Leading Celebration of Tech-Led Innovations in Sports Renamed

Today, The Sports Technology Awards confirmed a partnership with Yahoo Sport, the mobile destination for sports superfans.  Yahoo Sport will become the Awards’ headline sponsor, meaning the event will be known as The Yahoo Sports Technology Awards throughout 2018 and 2019. The Awards will be hosted at The Roundhouse in London on May 3rd.

 

Rebecca Hopkins, CEO of the STA Group, said: ‘We are delighted to announce the deal with Yahoo Sport, not only is it a meeting of two brands highly committed to showcasing sports innovations, Yahoo Sport’s reach ensures the work of our entries, winners, judges and partners will be seen by an even bigger audience globally.’

 

Nicholas Petche, Editor in Chief, Yahoo UK says: ‘Committed to delivering best-in-class live mobile experiences, we’re proud to bring The Yahoo Sports Technology Awards to sports fans across the globe, with the STA Group. We’re intrigued by the way technology influences every aspect of sport and are excited to facilitate unrivaled insight into this dynamic sector. The Awards reveal worldwide sports innovations unlike any other body and this relationship ensures we are uniquely positioned to inform our millions of Yahoo Sport readers of these game-changing technologies.’

 

The Yahoo Sports Technology Awards ceremony will be hosted at The Roundhouse in London on May 3rd, an experience set to be enjoyed by leading industry figures, innovators and international athletes from around the world.

 

Click to learn more about the Yahoo Sports Technology Awards and Sports Technology Awards Startups.

May 3rd 2.30pm, The Roundhouse, London

The aim of STA TechTalks is to facilitate privileged access to the minds and learnings of international visionaries from all walks of life, not just sports. These will give delegates the chance to hear extraordinary stories of innovation, examples of daring tech-led implementation, and learn and be inspired by people leading disruption across the world. STA TechTalks consists of presentations given by senior figures, from a range of sectors, who are tangibly changing their worlds through technology. These presentations won’t promote hype and attendees should leave the talks better informed and inspired as to ways they can embrace technologies which have radically altered other sectors, businesses or consumer experiences.

 

Bill Johnson, Senior Vice President and Design Principal, HOK

Bill Johnson is a senior vice president and the design principal for HOK. Recognized as a visionary in the design of sports and entertainment facilities, Bill’s portfolio of work includes professional, civic, and collegiate sports facilities across the country. His approach is defined by his ability to develop integrated solutions that achieve the unique objectives of each client and contribute to the vitality of the broader community.

 

Over the course of his career, Bill has applied his expertise and future thinking to a wide variety of project types to create award-winning projects like Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, MetLife Stadium and collegiate sports facilities across the SEC and Power 5 conferences. Sports Business Journal named Bill on its list of ‘power players’ in sports facility design and development, and he was a member of Sports Business Journal’s inaugural ‘Forty Under 40’ class, which recognizes the best and brightest in sports business. His talk is on the subject of How the Latest Technology is Transforming the Stadium Experience for Fans and Athletes.

 

Benjamin Lickfett, Head of Technology and Innovation, Diageo

Benjamin has over a decade of experience in using technology and innovation to unlock the brand potential of Fortune 500 firms and startups. In his current role at Diageo, he is driving the ‘test & learn’ agenda, and championing digital transformation across a world-class spirits portfolio in Europe.

 

Prior to Diageo, he co-founded the leading financial services comparison site in the Nordics, an e-commerce retailer for non-medical allergy products and the first user-generated cause-marketing platform (one exit, one survivor, one implosion). Benni also spent several years as an innovation consultant for industry leaders including Hilton Hotels, Best Buy, ExxonMobil, Cartier, and Tetra Pak. He holds an MBA from IE Business School and a BA in International Relations from Tufts University. His talk will discuss Transforming Physical Experiences through AI and Digital Innovation.

 

Xavi Cortadellas, Global Head of Design and Innovation, Gatorade

Xavi is in charge of driving the vision, development, and innovation of Gatorade and Propel, and oversees their expansion into technology platforms. Xavi also leads the Brand Design team spearheading the brand look across different consumer touch points including retail theatre, packaging, and build-outs.

 

Xavi was born in Barcelona, where he earned a degree in Architecture. He has a strong sports performance and design background stemming from his 11 years of experience with Nike in Spain, Mexico and Brazil. Xavi’s talk will be on Unlocking Innovation Working with Pro Teams.

 

James Hewitt, Head of Science and Innovation, Hintsa Performance

James is a speaker, author, and scientist. He brings complex concepts to life to explore and enhance human performance. James’ areas of expertise include the ‘future of work’, human performance in a digitally disrupted world, and methods to facilitate more sustainable high-performance for knowledge workers. His work spans consulting for Formula One drivers and teams, advising Fortune 500 C-suite executives, and giving frequent keynotes and workshops in Europe, the United States and Asia.

 

James is based in Switzerland and the UK. In addition to his role as Head of Science and Innovation at Hintsa Performance, James is an active researcher at Loughborough University, ranked as number one in the world in Sport, Exercise, and Health Science by QS World University Rankings. His talk is titled The Attention Paradox – Improving Cognitive performance.

 

Closing the TechTalks will be a panel discussion on athlete welfare. With elite athletes from all sports so vulnerable to a range of issues – head trauma, depression, doping, career or life altering injuries – the STAs are highlighting this with a view to inspiring innovation. Speakers on the panel include ex-QPR footballer, Bradley Simmonds…

 

Bradley Simmonds

Health and wellbeing coach Bradley Simmonds has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Through the power of social media, Bradley has engineered a wellness platform like no other – providing fitness enthusiasts around the world new workout routines and daily motivational posts.

 

Bradley aims to motivate millions of people every day to live and maintain a healthy sustainable lifestyle, whilst working with more of the countries credible brands and the worlds’ greatest athletes. His positive attitude and unique approach has attracted many high-profile clients, including the UK’s leading sports and entertainment stars.

 

Bradley’s introduction to fitness comes from his background as a professional footballer for clubs such as Chelsea FC and Queens Park Rangers. From there, he learnt from the best nutritionists and strength and conditioning coaches, which inspired him in his pursuit for a new career as a personal trainer, 3 years ago, aged 20. Several years on, Bradley released his first book this year, Get It Done, an Amazon bestseller and has become an ambassador for brands such as Adidas, TAG Heuer, Maxi Muscle and has appeared in campaigns with Nivea and GQ.

 

The STA TechTalks London series will be brought to you by Switzerland, the partner nation at this year’s Awards. The Swiss Business Hub UK & Ireland is part of Switzerland Global Enterprise the federal invest and export promotion agency supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises from Switzerland and Liechtenstein wishing to export and develop their market presence in the UK and Ireland. The TechTalks will open with a Welcome Introduction from Swiss Ambassador to the UK, Alexandre Fasel.

For anyone serious about sport, the TechTalks are not to be missed.