Future of EPTS

FIFA has partnered with Victoria University to assess the further implications of EPTS in football (Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia, 2017)

The applications of electronic performance tracking systems (EPTS) in football are endless. They are primarily used for injury prevention and performance assessment; however, they open numerous opportunities for the media and supporters.

Television broadcasts will be more than just watching players play football. With the integration of wearable EPTS, player statistics can be delivered straight to viewers’ homes. Catapult has already partnered with the National Rugby League and the National Basketball League to deliver wearable data through broadcasts. Just recently, the company partnered with The Ashes to deliver similar data to cricket fans behind the television screen (“Catapult creates Gatorade Tracker to deliver Live Broadcast Data for Ashes test, ODI and T20 series,” 2018).

Catapult recently delivered live player statistics during the fifth Ashes Test in 2018. Photo courtesy of Catapult (“Catapult creates Gatorade Tracker to deliver Live Broadcast Data for Ashes test, ODI and T20 series,” 2018).

Wearable EPTS providers can partner with sports broadcasters to deliver similar data during football matches. Some of this data is already projected through the use of optical-based camera systems, such as the distance travelled by players. However, wearable EPTS can provide viewers with more data. It would be fascinating to see how hard a player kicks a ball or the impact of a slide tackle when a player is on the ground.

This dissemination of data will grow with the advancement of smartphone technology. In 2016, the English Football League announced that free WiFi and interactive mobile apps would be available to fans in stadiums affiliated with The Football League (“Fans set to benefit from revolutionary new mobile apps,” 2016). Hence, player statistics calculated from wearable EPTS can be delivered straight to spectators’ phones during a match as well.

With increased access to player data, supporters and viewers have more ways to be engaged with a football match. In the realm of gambling, viewers would be able to bet on more aspects of a match than just the amount of goals scored. The distance a player sprinted or the amount of time they spent in the red zone could be future subjects for betting.

It will be fascinating to see what football clubs and nations decide to do with wearable EPTS. The opportunities that arise from the technology are endless. However, the first major barrier that companies and clubs must surpass is convincing players to wear such devices during matches.

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How to Cite this Article

“Future of EPTS,” Written by Noor Tasnim (2018). World Cup 2018 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/mens-world-cup-2018-guide/gear/electronic-performance-and-tracking-systems/future-of-epts/ (accessed on (date)).


References

Catapult creates Gatorade Tracker to deliver Live Broadcast Data for Ashes test, ODI and T20 series. (2018, February 26). Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://www.catapultsports.com/blog/catapult-creates-gatorade-tracker-deliver-live-broadcast-data-ashes-test-odi-t20-series

Fans set to benefit from revolutionary new mobile apps. (2016, March 31). Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://www.efl.com/news/2016/march/fans-set-to-benefit-from-revolutionary-new-mobile-apps/

Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. (2017). VU FIFA Research Project – Electronic Performance Tracking Systems. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHscCsShz4