Sports Technology

Siliconcoach will this week commence development of a world-first online coach education system after the Dunedin City Council (DCC) awarded the project team $195,000.

Siliconcoach, a developer of video analysis software for sports, health providers and education, leads the project, while Sport Otago, SPARC and OceanBrowser Ltd (developer of distance learning solutions for tertiary education) will each contribute as project partners.

Siliconcoach Chief Executive Joe Morrison believes the project can revolutionise how coach education can be delivered, explaining "New Zealand sport is ideally positioned to embrace the advantages of modern technology to meet the needs of National Sporting Organisations and coaches.

"The platform we are creating will enable coaches at any level, from volunteer to high performance, to log onto a website customised to the specifications of their National Sporting Organisation and be guided through an interactive learning pathway commensurate with their individual stage of development.

"As such all sports will have access to a solution that can enhance how they currently engage, challenge, develop and retain their coaches.

"Once up and running, this coach education system has the potential to drive greater international sporting success through improved coach development and high performance sport innovation."

Morrison adds that "the amount awarded is the largest by the DCC Industry Project Fund to a single project, which illustrates the potential of this project."

The project draws on the collaboration of four Dunedin-based groups, each with unique skills and expertise but with common goals relating to innovation, and software development and implementation. Sport Otago specialises in the practical application and delivery of development strategies to sport; SPARC has a high performance team, which includes staff driving the use of new research and technology into sport; OceanBrowser Ltd is a development leader in e-learning solutions; and Siliconcoach has a proven history developing software solutions for sport. Together they share a vision to create a world-leading platform that will engage coaches all around New Zealand.

Morrison explains that "we are incredibly pleased the DCC has acknowledged the potential of the project.

"It will establish Dunedin as the hub for national coach development solutions, with potential for that to grow to service the international market. This could be sold all around the world, enabling countries to centralize and power up their coaching education by harnessing the power of the Internet."

For more information go to http://www.siliconcoach.com/channels/sport/

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