SocaLoca: Revolutionising talent identification and tournament organising

Staff Writer

SocaLoca co-founders Lionel Foy and Sayf Ismail are providing more opportunity for footballers across the world with their innovative platform.

The concept was born in 2016 when the two first met, and now the SocaLoca app is used by national federations in Belize and Cameroon for tournament organising.

There are two main goals of the platform. Equalising talent identification and becoming a hotspot for football tournaments and data.

Foy and Ismail recognised that the pathways for footballers in some countries weren’t as equal as others. Smaller or less resourced countries and continents simply don’t have the infrastructure that the big footballing powers do globally.

The app operates in a similar way to statistics platforms like FotMob or Transfermarkt, where player profiles and stats are collated for fans and other interested parties to view. However, there is also a self-management aspect to it.

Footballers can download the platform and build their own profile, showcasing their achievements, statistics, results and more for anyone to see. This goes from juniors all the way up to seniors.

This gives those players from lesser resourced regions the opportunity to be seen and scouted like any other player, from when they’re first starting out to battling their way up through the footballing pyramid.

Co-founder Arif Sayuti.

While there are concerns around the data-sharing implicit to the platform, measures have been put in place. Players aged between 7 and 12 must be registered by their guardians and have a limit on what information can be displayed on their public profiles.

The global interconnectedness that an app like SocaLoca offers is unlike anything seen in world football to date.

The other side of the platform is its use in tournament organisation. This links in with the player profiles, where players are registered within tournaments and competitions and have their results and statistics linked to their profiles.

SocaLoca’s Competition Management Module has already seen successful use in Uganda, Belize and Cameroon, and can be used by anyone on the platform.

Football Federation Belize is now using the SocaLoca app to organise and run all regional competitions, while Cameroon’s national football academy is now a partner of SocaLoca.

Results and statistics in countries all over the world are now available to recruiters and talent identifiers, making it easier for those who would be otherwise overlooked to get their chance.

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Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

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Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

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