Heidelberg United FC implements interactive training system, SmartGoals

While physical performance has always been gauged using GPS monitoring, time trials and strength testing, technical attributes have traditionally been challenging to tangibly measure.

It was in his search to bridge this gap that Chris Theodorou, Football Program Manager at Heidelberg United FC discovered SmartGoals.

“It is manufactured by a Dutch company. I first came across it online where I saw the Ajax first team using it during training. It was awesome, I was totally blown away and thought we have to try and get this equipment to Australia.” Theodorou said.

The interactive training system uses a set of targets which are imbued with light signals. Once a player physically passes the goal, or kicks a ball through the goal, another SmartGoal lights up, making it the new target.

This makes the system extremely useful for physical training such as sprint tests and agility tests, but also for driving technical improvement through drills that focus on passing, shooting, or dribbling.

“It’s an interactive system that works with light signals. A smart goal lights up and becomes a target. Whether you want to run through them, shoot the ball through them or something else you do that and once that’s complete the next smart goal lights up.”

Having targets that dynamically change forces players to adjust in a split second, replicating the intensity they experience during an in-game situation.

“Basically, it trains awareness, reaction time, team play and technical skills. The target changes instantly every time a successful SmartGoal has been executed,” Theodorou said.

“It’s challenging and fun for players at all levels. Whether you are a beginner or professional you can use it, there are exercises for people of all abilities and even for people playing with disabilities. The accessibility SmartGoals provides is a huge benefit.”

All of the data gathered is recorded for coaches and players, making it enormously beneficial for identifying development opportunities as well as making it more mentally engaging for players.

“Data collection is so important in sport these days. You can keep track of how fast an individual is, how many goals they’ve scored, and determine their accuracy. The beauty of SmartGoals is that you can now measure their technical ability and watch them grow,” Theodorou said.

The App which comes with SmartGoals also includes a database that contains more than 100 filmed exercises. While originally built for football, the goals have expanded to other sports including hockey and athletics.

The database means coaches can keep training fresh by tailoring their training program to their needs. The filmed videos further assist this, by providing an easy guide on how to setup the exercise and how the player should look when executing the drill.

“The database has exercises that allow you to train individuals, or the whole team. There’s technique training, positional training, possession and more,” Theodorou said.

“They were purposely built for football and since we started implementing them at training, the feedback we have received has been absolutely fabulous.”

With SmartGoals proving a success at Heidelberg United FC, Theodorou believes it is important for more Australian football clubs to invest in burgeoning technology.

In additional to SmartGoals, he has implemented SoccerPLAY into Heidelberg FC’s football program and is a strong advocate of keeping up to date with international trends.

“Clubs must view technology like SmartGoals as an investment, not an expense,” he said.

“Australian football has been a little behind on trends and reluctant to invest. The trends are slowly changing though, we have started tapping into the types of things the leading countries have been using over the last three or four years,” he said.

For more information on SmartGoals, visit HERE.

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STATSports Apex Athlete: Track like a Pro

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Image Credit: STATSports website

In the world of modern football, data is king. And while professional clubs have long used GPS wearables to analyse every sprint and tactical movement, young players have often been left behind until now. The Apex Athlete Series by STATSports is changing the game, bringing elite-level tracking technology into the hands of aspiring footballers across Australia and beyond.

Already FIFA-approved for match use, the Apex wearable has become the most advanced and reliable performance tracker available to grassroots athletes. Whether you’re aiming for a professional career or simply looking to take your game to the next level, this is the kind of tool that bridges the gap between weekend warrior and world-class competitor.

A Wearable Built for Serious Footballers

The Apex Athlete Series isn’t just another piece of fitness tech. It’s the same technology trusted by clubs in the English Premier League and national teams around the globe, tailored for accessibility. Designed to capture every training session and match in detail, it gives players an unmatched level of insight into their performance.

From total distance covered and max speed to high-speed running and intensity levels, Apex provides a clear picture of how hard you’re working and where you can improve. It’s football data — but for real people.

Real-Time Stats

One of Apex’s standout features is its ability to deliver real-time insights across 16 core metrics. That includes everything from sprint counts and heat maps to strain levels and positional data. The platform also benchmarks individual performance against standards seen at academy and professional levels, helping players understand what’s required to rise through the ranks.

And it doesn’t stop at the numbers. With a beautifully designed mobile app, players can view post-session breakdowns instantly and track progression over time. It’s intuitive, detailed and made to empower development from the ground up.

Introducing Pro Score – A New Way to Measure Your Game

Forget fantasy football ratings — Pro Score is a revolutionary new feature that distils all your data into one easy-to-understand performance rating. Each STATSports ambassador, including the likes of Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane, has their own Pro Score, giving players real-world targets to chase.

As your fitness, workload and match intensity improve, so does your score. For younger athletes, it provides a motivational benchmark that tracks genuine, physical development — not opinion, not guesswork, just performance.

See the Bigger Picture with Performance Trends

The Apex app isn’t just about short-term wins. It’s built to help athletes and coaches see the bigger picture. With trend tracking over weeks, months and even seasons, players can monitor training loads, recovery, and intensity to ensure sustainable development.

Whether you’re preparing for finals or managing your off-season, these insights help you train smarter and avoid the risk of overtraining or injury.

Compete Against the World

With global leaderboards built directly into the platform, Apex adds a competitive edge that few other wearables can offer. Players can compare their stats with others from around the world across categories like max speed, high-speed running and total distance.

And if your numbers are good enough, you might just find yourself ranked alongside some of the fittest players in the game. It’s a social, gamified layer of performance analysis — and it’s incredibly motivating.

Impressive study results

Recent studies have backed up Apex’s impact on performance. After just six weeks of using the device, players saw an average increase of 9.4% in max speed, 13.6% in high-speed running, and 12.3% in match intensity.

Those aren’t small gains. They’re game-changers for players looking to step up and stay ahead.

The Only Wearable with Flawless Live Data

Where most wearables lag or drop out during intense action, Apex delivers 100% identical live and post-session data quality. That level of precision allows coaches and players to make instant decisions with full confidence.

Multiple coaches can even monitor different players or full squads simultaneously, each with access to their own live dashboard. Whether you’re coaching a junior academy or managing a senior side, the system scales to suit your needs.

Conclusion

The Apex Athlete Series by STATSports is more than just a wearable — it’s a complete performance ecosystem. By combining elite-grade data with real-world usability, it empowers the next generation of footballers to understand, monitor and improve their game like never before.

In an increasingly competitive sporting landscape, tools like Apex aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity. For players, coaches and parents who are serious about long-term development, this is the future of football performance tracking.

 

Mingle Sport: Transforming grassroots football management

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Image credit: Mingle Sports website

Mingle Sport is designed to take the hassle out of team management, providing grassroots clubs with the tools they need to operate seamlessly and efficiently.

With three features: Team Management, Performance Tracking, and Scorekeeping. Mingle Sport brings a professional-level experience to local teams. Here’s a closer look at how each feature can enhance your club’s operations.

  1. Team Management:

Keeping a team well-organised requires more than just setting a match schedule. Mingle Sport helps coaches and managers save time, improve communication, and keep everything in one place.

Key Features:

Match & Training Scheduling – Plan all upcoming fixtures, training sessions, and team events in one place. Add locations, arrival times, and additional notes for complete clarity.

RSVP System – Know exactly who’s attending each session or match. No more last-minute confusion—ensure your squad is always prepared.

Transport Coordination – Arrange carpooling and ridesharing within the app, making sure no player is left without a lift.

Attendance Insights – Track attendance trends and understand why players miss sessions, helping coaches improve participation.

Team Chat & DMs – Keep all team communication within Mingle Sport. Share updates in the official team chat, send direct messages, or comment on specific training sessions.

Minutes Played Tracking – Keep a record of each player’s game time to ensure fair rotations and better performance assessment.

Automated Reminders – Reduce no-shows by sending automated RSVP reminders. If a player can’t attend, they can provide a reason within the app.

Formation Builder – Create your ideal team lineup with a drag-and-drop formation builder, whether for an 11-a-side match or a five-a-side tournament.

For those who like a desktop-friendly experience, Mingle Sport Homebase acts as an advanced planning hub. It allows coaches to analyse trends in training attendance, track minutes played and manage lineups more efficiently.

  1. Performance Tracking:

Statistics aren’t just for professionals—Mingle Sport brings the power of data-driven performance analysis to grassroots teams. By tracking key player and team stats, coaches and players alike can measure progress, compare results, and compete for top rankings.

Key Features:

Team & Player Stats – Keep track of match scores, goal differences, win ratios, and overall team performance.

Leaderboards – Rank players and teams based on their stats, fostering healthy competition.

Player Voting – After each match, vote for three key players:

MVP (Most Valuable Player) – The standout performer of the game.

Playmaker – The most creative and influential player.

Workhorse – The hardest-working player who put in the most effort.

Personalised Player Profiles – Each player gets a dedicated profile tracking goals, assists, match highlights, and past performances. Compare stats with previous seasons to track improvements over time.

Performance Metrics (Coming Soon) – Mingle Sport is working on exciting new features to measure shot quality, top speed, stamina, and other key performance indicators.

Attendance Tracking – Monitor individual player attendance across matches and training sessions, helping coaches manage commitment levels.

Goal Trends – Get insights into your team’s scoring patterns over the season.

Win Ratio Analysis – Identify trends in match results—does your team perform better at home or away? Against specific opponents? Use these insights to fine-tune strategies.

With all these features available in one platform, Mingle Sport makes it easier than ever to track, analyse, and improve player and team performance.

  1. Scorekeeping:

Keeping track of match statistics shouldn’t be complicated. Mingle Sport’s scorekeeping tools allow teams to record match events in real time, track player contributions, and share updates with fans and followers.

Key Features:

Goals & Assists Tracking – Keep an accurate record of every goal and assist, with the data automatically updating leaderboards and season stats.

Cards & Substitutions – Log yellow cards, red cards, and player substitutions for a complete match report.

Minutes Played – Use the in-app match timer to track each player’s time on the pitch.

Live Scoring & Match Reports – Share real-time match updates within the app or online, allowing followers to keep up with the action.

Match Ratings & MVP Voting – After each game, players can rate the match from 1 to 5 stars and vote for standout performers.

Season Trends & Team Awards – Identify long-term trends in goal ratios, win percentages, and other crucial team statistics. Recognise top performers with awards like Top Scorer of the Month.

For deeper match analysis, Mingle Sport Homebase on desktop allows coaches to take a detailed look at season statistics, match ratings, and player performance trends.

Conclusion

Mingle Sport isn’t just another team management app—it’s a game-changer for grassroots football. With a focus on efficiency, engagement, and performance tracking, it provides local teams with the tools they need to operate like the pros.

From scheduling and communication to live scorekeeping and performance stats, Mingle Sport brings everything together in one powerful and easy-to-use platform. Whether you’re a coach, manager, or player, this app ensures your team runs smoothly—both on and off the pitch.

 

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