i-BrainTech: Enhancing the way footballers train and develop

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i-BrainTech
Image via i-BrainTech

i-BrainTech is a software company specialising in the provision of brain–computer interfaces for motor control neurofeedback therapy.

As a relatively new company that was founded in 2019 by entrepreneur and computer scientist Dr. Konstantin Sonkin, the business has achieved global expansion, forged partnerships with elite sports clubs, and earned recognition from leading organisations.

The i-BrainTech system is a sports video game you control entirely with your mind, with real-time feedback on how well you focus and visualise and unlocks new frontiers in brain analytics, providing unparalleled insights for progress tracking and talent identification.

It has three methods to improve the way people play football which include:

Performance – Enhance ability to plan, concentrate and execute sport actions successfully.

Return to play – Allows you to train core skills and retain muscle memory whilst you are recovering from an injury which is hugely beneficial and convenient.

Player analytics – Using brain analytics that were previously inaccessible, players can improve specific skills and manage certain situations for them to improve on matchday

i-BrainTech’s technology is considerably unique to anything that has been produced before in sport and brain technology.

It offers an elite level mental training system that is available on a computer so athletes can reap the benefits of the system at any time and fitness level. The platform has 100’s of drills spanning every position and adjustable difficulty levels with the goal to consistently challenge yourself as you improve.

Unique brain data to this specific platform can be used to track performance and identify strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, it is a very immersive environment that attempts to accurately represent real-life scenarios, enabling athletes to master the mental game in advance.

How the i-BrainTech system works

  1. Put on brain sensory cap – Wearing the EEG cap measures brain activity in real time
  2. Select training program – 100’s of training programs suited for the specific position and role you play with a new feature of being able to create a customized program.
  3. Visualise – Control your virtual avatar by visualising completing the drills on screen. 10-25 minutes, twice a week is all it takes to improve.
  4. Strengthen brain – When completing the visual drills, the brain physically rewires itself, leading to enhanced performance. Over time it has a huge benefit with visual learning.
  5. Track results – Track your progress and see measurable improvement in brain capabilities and athletic performance on the pitch after just a few months.

i-BrainTech technology has been adopted by leading clubs and players in Major League Soccer, Premier League, and the Bundesliga. However, it wasn’t until recently that they partnered with their first professional football club. With the company based in Israel, i-BrainTech have an existing partnership with local club Maccabi Netanya F.C.

It has been an early success with the club releasing in a statement that they saw performance improvement after only a few months.

With the lack of existing partnerships, proven success by players and coaches within the big five European leagues, and it being an easily implementable system, Australian football and the A-League in particular has a big opportunity to get ahead of the pack.

i-BrainTech have suggested they want to expand their football partnerships before branching out into basketball, making this a bigger opportunity than ever to partner with the industry 4.0 company.

Development in Australian football has become a huge issue, as the lack of talent from the A-League into Europe and the transition into the national team is something that needs to be highlighted. The statistics suggesting the improvement in cognitive ability as well as physical performance from this revolutionary system would go a long way in Australia.

To see all that i-BrainTech has to offer, you can click here.

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Project ACL: The initiative leading the way on injury research

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Image credit: FiledIMAGE / Shutterstock.com

Launched in 2024, the research project recently welcomed two US-based organisations: the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

 

About Project ACL

Led by FIFPRO, PFA England, Nike and Leeds Beckett University, Project ACL aims to research ACL injuries and understand more about multifactorial risk factors.

After piloting in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL), Project ACL will expand to the NWSL in the US, reflecting the global importance of the project’s research and outcome.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the NWSLPA and NWSL to Project ACL,” said Director of Women’s Football at FIFPRO, Dr. Alex Culvin, via official press release.

“Overall, we believe that player-centricity and collaboration with key stakeholders are central to establishing meaningful change in the soccer ecosystem and that players, competition organisers and stakeholdersaround the world will benefit from Project ACL’s outputs and outcomes.”

Interviews with over 30 players and team surveys across all 12 WSL clubs provided the project’s research team with valuable information about current prevention strategies and available resources.

Furthermore, the project tracks player workload and busy schedule periods during the season through the FIFPRO Player Workload Monitoring tool, therefore gaining insights into the link between scheduling and injury risks.

 

Looking to the data

Project ACL’s partnerships with the WSL – and now the NWSL – are immensely valuable for the future of player welfare in women’s football.

Although ACL injuries affect both male and female athletes, they are twice as likely to occur in women than men. However, according to the NWSL, as little as 8% of sports science research focuses on female athletes.

In Australia, several CommBank Matildas suffered ACL injuries in recent years: Sam Kerr was sidelined from January 2024 to September 2025, Ellie Carpenter for 8 months after suffering the injury while playing for Olympique Lyonnais, and Holly McNamara came back from three ACL’s aged 15, 18 and 20.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. The 2025/26 ALW season saw several ACL incidents, including four in just two weeks.

 

Research, prevent, protect

Injury prevention and research are vital to sport – whether professional or amateur.

But when the numbers are so shocking – and incidents are so common – governing bodies must remember that player welfare comes above all else. Research can inform prevention strategies. Prevention means players can enjoy the game they love.

The work of Project ACL, continuing until 2027, will hopefully protect countless players across women’s football from suffering long-term or recurring injuries.

How Husqvarna Is Helping Stadiums Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality

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Image Credit: Husqvarna

At a time when operational costs are rising across global sport, stadiums and football clubs are being forced to rethink one of their most overlooked expenses: turf maintenance.

From diesel consumption to labour hours, maintaining elite playing surfaces has traditionally been both resource-intensive and environmentally taxing. But new data emerging from venues like CBUS Super Stadium suggests a smarter, more sustainable model is already taking hold.

Leading that shift is Husqvarna, whose autonomous turf technology is quietly reshaping how professional venues manage their playing surfaces. Their product delivers measurable cost savings without compromising quality.

Cutting fuel consumption costs

At CBUS Super Stadium, the introduction of Husqvarna’s CEORA™ robotic mowing system has reduced diesel usage by approximately 20–30 litres per week. Over the course of a season, those savings compound into a significant reduction in both fuel spend and carbon emissions. This is particularly efficient for stadiums hosting regular fixtures and large-scale events.

CBUS Super Stadium General Manager Kristian Blundell said the robotic mower was a game-changer for the venue:

“This technology is not replacing staff but rather giving our grounds team the ability to do what they do best by helping to improve turf management processes, better manage fatigue and decrease our environmental footprint”

But the impact goes beyond fuel.

 

Time efficiency

By automating routine mowing, Husqvarna’s technology enables grounds teams to focus on higher-value maintenance tasks, from pitch recovery to detailed surface management. The result is not only greater operational efficiency but also improved turf consistency, which is an increasingly critical factor in elite football performance.

The benefits are being mirrored beyond stadium environments. At Oatlands Golf Club, Husqvarna’s autonomous mowing has delivered savings of up to 60 litres of fuel per week while freeing up staff for precision work. Quiet, round-the-clock operation also ensures surfaces are maintained without disrupting play—an advantage that translates directly to multi-use stadium settings.

Image Credit: Husqvarna

Importantly, Husqvarna’s lightweight robotic systems reduce the wear and tear typically caused by traditional heavy machinery. This not only protects the integrity of the playing surface but also reduces the need for costly repairs over time.

Football clubs navigating tight budgets at grassroots and semi-professional levels could benefit from such cost savings.

With rising energy prices, increasing sustainability expectations, and limited staffing resources, the ability to cut costs while improving performance is no longer optional. Solutions like Husqvarna’s CEORA™ are positioning clubs to operate more efficiently today, while preparing for a more environmentally accountable future.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, one thing is becoming clear: the next competitive edge may not just come from what happens on the pitch—but how it’s maintained.

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