A Newry-based sports data firm has struck up a 'huge' deal with Brazil's football team
The ‘iconic’ team will wear Statsports’ devices throughout the 2018 World Cup.
JUST WEEKS AFTER it signed a deal with America’s national soccer body, Newry-based sports data firm Statsports has added the Brazil Footfall Confederation as a customer.
The company, which provides wearable technology to track athletes’ performances, has signed a deal with Brazil’s team ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
A number of other nations will be wearing the company’s flagship Apex device at the championship including current title-holders Germany as well as Portugal, England, Denmark and Morocco.
Every member of Brazil’s national team will wear a Statsports Apex device during practice sessions and matches.
The product is in a vest and positioned between players’ shoulder blades during training and matches.
It captures data across a number of different performance areas, such as heart rate and high-speed running. Coaches can monitor the information on a phone, tablet or smartwatch.
It is supposed to help prevent players from under-forming in training sessions or picking up injuries from pushing their bodies too hard.
Brazil’s physiologist, Guilherme Passos, said the football team is using Statsports’ device to “make sure we leave no stone unturned when it comes to our preparation for this summer’s World Cup and beyond”.
Statsports co-founder and chief commercial officer Sean O’Connor described the deal as “huge”, adding that Brazil is “an iconic brand in world football with a rich history of success”.
Established in 2008 by O’Connor and fellow entrepreneur Alan Clarke, the company is based in Newry and has offices in Chicago.
It counts several English Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, as clients.
The devices are used by other sporting bodies, including the Irish Rugby Football Federation and teams playing GAA, American football and basketball.
