Enhancing On-Pitch Learning Capabilities with Data Analytics and Technologies in Elite Sports

Abstract

Research question: We have explored the utilisation of data analytics and technology in elite sports and the role it plays in enhancing on-pitch learning capabilities. In the competitive, complex, and dynamic professional sports environment, margins are small and critical for the success of a team or club. It is essential for sports organisations to keep learning individually and collectively to strengthen their ability to improve on-pitch. In this paper, we explore how data analytics and technology enable sports teams to develop learning organisation capabilities to add-value on-pitch by increasing their knowledge base.

Research methods: Data for this study were gathered through 33 interviews with elite sport industry experts from football (Premier League, Championship), cricket (First Class County Clubs) and rugby (Rugby League). It includes seven sports directors, 12 managers and coaches, six players and former players, six performance analysts, one member of the medical staff, and one sports analytics academic.

Results and findings: Our findings add to the understanding of players, coaches, and teams as learning entities, and discuss how they capture and transform data into knowledge with the use of data analytics and technology, which is then utilised to inform on-pitch practices and decision making. We provide a blueprint framework explaining how a sport club can add value on-pitch by achieving a learning organisation status, through the use of data analytics and technology.

Implications: This paper contributes towards the continuing discourse regarding data analytics and technology utilisation within the sports industry, in the on-pitch domain. There has been limited academic research published to date on data analytics and technology use in professional sports, particularly with respect to investigating it from a learning organisation theory perspective.