Best popularised by Football Manager, football fans around the world are becoming increasingly aware of data-driven software and analysis. In truth, these worlds have been colliding for some time as the football industry continues to be at the forefront of innovation.
Leading the way in this area is Dutch-based company SciSports, which has risen to prominence in Europe for its diverse range of data-driven software services.
The company delivers key football operations services, including recruitment, performance and opponent analysis, career advice, and data delivery. These services are utilised by national teams, clubs, players and player agencies, and league associations.
Its leading partnerships are with the Dutch Eredivisie and Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), as well as Premier League club Crystal Palace, and A-League side Adelaide United.
In addition, its applications are used by a host of British and European football clubs, winning many plaudits from performance analysts and football recruitment departments.
This article will take you on a deep-dive into the range of applications SciSports offers, and how it is changing the face of football operations.
Recruitment
Arguably its most prized feature, SciSports provides its clients the very best data-driven player recruitment software money can buy.
Its application connects club scouts and player agencies to over 270,000 players in the men’s and women’s game, 3,700 clubs, and 250 league divisions.
Part of the software allows clubs to create their own profile that details their style of play. This helps clubs save valuable time in their recruitment process because players who suit the club’s profile will be prioritised within its search engine.
Player profiles built within the application include features such as the SciSkill Index – an in-house player performance metric – performance statistics, and player roles.
WIthin its Pro recruitment application, player profiles include AI powered player valuations, and a GBE points calculator that determines the eligibility of a player for work permit or visa applications.
SciSports offers a monthly subscription package for its two recruitment application offerings (Essential and Pro), benefitting clubs at all levels of the professional game.
Altogether, SciSports’ in-depth, data-driven technology is making football recruitment simpler and more efficient, helping football clubs steer clear of the “flop” branding that permeates through modern football.
Career Advice
Connected to its recruitment and performance analysis services, SciSports can assist players and player agencies greatly.
Their career advice service enables agencies’ to create player-profiles for their clients, driven by SciSports existing performance analysis software.
The profile contains in-depth information ranging from physical attributes and tactical suitability, to career history and player ambitions.
Again, the application is offered in two monthly subscription packages – Lite and Pro – which have differing levels of access for players and agents.
Whilst the services helps a player market themselves, it also better informs them about where their next move should be, which SciSports evidences through its high-profile player partnerships.
Case Study – Memphis Depay
SciSports’ highest-profile success story is current Atletico Madrid and Netherlands forward, Memphis Depay.
After struggling at Manchester United, Depay and his agent sought the help of SciSports to assist in revitalising his career.
His player profile and subsequent analysis advised him to reject moves to Spain, Italy, and England, in favour of a move to French Ligue 1 club, Olympique Lyon, who were seen as best-suited to his playing style.
Depay revitalised his career, going on to score 63 goals in 139 appearances for OL, before representing his country at the 2021 European Championships and 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Fellow Dutch forward Wout Weghorst is known to have succeeded using SciSports career advice and performance analysis applications, whilst several Dutch Eredivisie players have been known to further their careers.
Performance Analysis
Having the ability to analyse player and team performance day-by-day is imperative in elite football. SciSports aims to assist elite football clubs in offering extensive performance analysis applications.
Its performance analysis software is data provider agnostic, meaning it can be connected to existing data sources such as player-tracking data (GPS systems), event data, and video footage.
The result is a one-stop-shop software for performance analysts and coaches to use with their players and teams.
The package produces greater staff reporting, video analysis, and data visualisations, all of which are vital to being a successful football operation.
Given the diverse nature of football tactics and analysis, pricing for its service is available for request only.
Opponent Analysis
Similar to its performance analysis services, SciSports also provides opponent analysis for football clubs.
In today’s football climate, getting the edge over a rival takes place not just on the pitch, but in offices over weeks and months. One small piece of analysis could be the difference between failure and success.
SciSports again uses incredible detail to provide clubs with analysis that evolves simple stats into some of the most niche around. For instance, attacking and defensive style trends, or the types of set-piece variations an opponent runs, their success rate, and times in games that they run them.
Data-driven opponent analysis is already a prominent feature in professional football, but SciSports existing services in recruitment and performance analysis situates them as an industry leader.
Data Delivery
Last, but not least in its catalogue of services, SciSports can integrate its software with existing in-house technology, making the transition easy for football clubs and player agencies to align with the company.
Like its performance analysis service, pricing for its in-house data-delivery solutions are available for request only.
SciSports are expanding its operation to leagues in North and Central America, and whether it penetrates the Asian or Australian market or not, its services are a valuable template for improving football operations.
With some of the world’s leading universities based in Australia, there is a clear capacity for the creation of data-driven software that can drive the professionalisation and expansion of the Australian game.
For full information on SciSports, you can find it here.
