Metrica Sports: Revamping data extrapolation and analysis

Metrica Sports - PLAY

In 2023, every inch counts. Whether it be on the field, the gym, or the training pitch. Coaches and players alike are desperate to obtain as much information as they can on their game, in a way in which they can digest and utilise to better their performance.

Metrica Sports is revolutionising the data analysis space, with applications across a variety of sports, including American football, basketball, rugby, and football. Using the Metrica Cloud Engine, Metrica Sports PLAY unleashes the potential from automated tracking data, with data packs suited to all levels of the game, enriching presentation, and video sessions. Metrica Sports offers a free version of the software, to allow smaller teams to test this out to determine the best possible options for the success of the club.

Metrica Sports has partnered with more than 300 professional teams across 80 countries worldwide.

PLAY goes one step further than the competitors. It visualises data in more than just graphs and charts. PLAY shows live 2D fields with moving markers to outline structure in play, in reference to where the ball and opposition is. This can be beneficial to coaches to determine if there is a hole that can be exploited more so by the opposition, such as being too compact in transition allowing the opposition to nullify counter attacks.

PLAY offers 3 methods of tracking players in game, each of which have their own benefits. Manual tracking takes the longest and allows coaches to manually select what in any given frame they want to analyse. However, what they select only covers a single frame, and must go through and select what they want across different frames.

Automatic tracking takes almost 1/3 of the time, with the ability to manually opt in or out of selected targets on the field to track. Metrica uses the example of tracking a defensive line as the ball is shifted onto the sideline, as one defender is engaged, showcasing the distance between the other defenders, and their direction changes to suit.

Automated tracking is similar to automatic but is simply effortless. Everything is tracked already, the ball and all players are tracked, and you can choose what to extrapolate from the data it collects, as well as how long into a recording the software needs to extrapolate the data from.

But with so much data and analysis, will some things may be overlooked? No chance. PLAY allows for playlists of clips from a match can be generated with tags to filter out of highlights and clips exactly what a coach or analyst wants to extrapolate. For instance, PLAY can allow generate tags for all clips that include building out from the back, by determining when there is possession in the defensive third. Along with attacking clips, transition etc., the ability to phase these out and only select the building out from the back will save an abundance of time, allowing coaches to further zone in on what is really important in these clips, and develop a strategy to overcome any issues found.

PLAY has a variety of analysis options for how coaches and staff want to structure a video session with players in preparation for the next match or look back at last weeks. Coaches have the ability to upload entire match long pieces of footage, and can either manually, or as described before, have PLAY’s Metrica Cloud Engine do all the hard work for you. The options are limitless for any football club who wishes to strengthen their analytical and tactical capabilities.

PLAY’s automated tracking data saves countless hours to provide a superior product to coaching staffs across the globe. Tagging clips with key phrases allows coaches to quickly find examples of focal points in the match to be analysed and investigated. The easy to navigate software is easy for both coaches to use, but to also present to other staff, board members and players, with relevant and appealing graphics as opposed to traditional stats and graphs. The automatic tracking feature can allow coaches to opt in and out of necessary analytical points to cater to what coaches explicitly want.

For more information on how Metrica Sports can benefit your coaching staff, click here

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Borussia Dortmund & Vodafone launch ‘Fan Mode’ to keep supporter attention on the pitch

Borussia Dortmund have launched ‘Fan Mode’, a new initiative aimed to incentivise supporters to put their phones away and live in the moment while supporting their side at home matches.

Dortmund have paired with club sponsor Vodafone, with the program in use from Saturday’s 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Under the initiative, fans can activate ‘Fan Mode’ within the Borussia Dortmund app – in a manner similar to flight mode – before locking their phone as the action kicks off. From there, time spent inactive on their phone during play equates to points, which in turn sees fans in the running for prizes – including autographed jerseys and fan shop gift cards.

‘With Vodaphone, we have a partner who not only understands what technology is capable of, but also when it should take a back seat,’ said Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer.

‘Here, a global technology company is specifically using its innovative strength to protect the experience that no technology can replace.

‘Fan Mode sends a powerful message. Over 81,000 people in the stadium, singing, cheering, and holding their breath together: this here and now is irreplaceable.’

The move comes following a 2023 survey conducted by Vodafone themselves, which showed 63 percent of general football fans regularly use their smartphones during matches but simultaneously, listed an increase in social media, selfies and streaming at the football as an annoyance.

‘Anyone at a soccer game should experience the moment and the emotions – not just a cell phone screen,’ said Marcel de Groot, CEO of Vodafone Germany.

‘Let’s leave our smartphones in our pockets more often at the stadium and instead focus on what’s happening on the field and in the stands.’

Partaking in the initiative is completely voluntary, as is the claiming of any points or prizes.

Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac and currently second on the Bundesliga table, led the Bundesliga’s average attendance for season 2025/26 with just under 80,000.

Their ‘Yellow Wall’ – the supporters in the Südtribüne, or South End of Westfalenstadion (known commercially as Signal Iduna Park) – are widely considered among one of the iconic sights of global football fandom.

A-Leagues partners with Champion Data to enhance broadcast experience

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has appointed Champion Data as its official broadcast graphics partner in a three-season agreement designed to enhance coverage of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women. The partnership will introduce Champion Data’s live graphics technology across broadcasts on Network 10 and Paramount+, delivering real-time statistics, scores and visual insights to help fans follow the action.

Champion Data will use its proprietary GGi platform to connect match data with broadcast graphics and production workflows. The system will support the delivery of clear, engaging information throughout matches, giving viewers greater insight into key moments and performances. The agreement also strengthens the APL’s commitment to improving the broadcast presentation of women’s football. Champion Data will bring the Ninja A-League Women’s production standards into alignment with the men’s competition, supporting a more consistent viewing experience across both leagues.

The APL expects the partnership to enrich its broadcast offering as audiences seek deeper insights and more engaging ways to follow Australian football. The new graphics package will help viewers understand match developments, track statistics and connect with the stories unfolding on the pitch. Champion Data will manage technical delivery, train broadcast operators and provide live matchday support throughout the agreement. This end-to-end approach will help production teams deliver accurate information and consistent graphics across both competitions.

The partnership builds on Champion Data’s experience in sports data collection, analytics and broadcast technology. They currently provide statistics for the AFL, V8 Supercars and Tennis Australia alongside many others. By integrating live match information with on-screen graphics, the company will help bring the tactical detail and drama of A-Leagues football to television and streaming audiences.

As the APL continues to develop its broadcast product across television and digital platforms. The partnership positions Champion Data as a key technology provider for the next three seasons. The collaboration will combine data expertise and broadcast innovation to improve how fans experience Australian football, bringing greater clarity, context and insight to every match.

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