State of Origin football, perhaps more so than any other Rugby League competition in the world, is a game of millimetres. When entire series are won and lost by such tight margins, it’s vital that player performances are analysed and developed for as long as possible – and the NSWRL now has the tools to do that better than ever before.
Announced in February, the state’s governing body has formed a partnership with Hudl, producers of industry-leading sports analysis software. The software, already implemented across the EPL, NBA, AFL and Super Rugby, allows the NSWRL Football Department to analyse, track and review performances in real time, in addition to providing selection criteria for players throughout the NSWRL Pathways system. The data provided can be instantly communicated to teams, coaches and players themselves as they strive for improvement.
“Hudl tools allow all league teams to analyse player trends and performances, making planning our future training sessions and game preparation more efficient,” BJ Mather, NSWRL General Manager-Football, says. “Players, coaches and referees are better able to communicate ways they can improve since the video analysis tools uncover key insights that may be missed on the field.”
The partnership is another sign of the NSWRL’s strong commitment to player development, highlighted recently by the planning and ongoing construction of the Centre of Excellence. With the ultimate aim of long-term NSW success in both State of Origin and the Women’s Interstate Challenge, Hudl provides the opportunity to track data from a young age, ensuring the most successful attributes are developed long before athletes reach the highest level.
Brad Pryjmachuk, NSWRL’s Performance Solutions Manager, says the Hudl platform will improve analysis across all level.
“The online system allows coaches to review training sessions and matches from anywhere using their mobile device,” Pryjmachuk says.
“With a lot of our staff working remotely, it allows our Performance Programs Manager, Jamie Feeney, to track and plan programs based on the information that is being captured through the system.
“Overall, the system is key for the delivery of feedback and development of our players and match officials, which we believe will continue to become an integral part of our operations as a Performance Department.”
With the NSW Women’s side enjoying an unprecedented victory in 2016 and the NSW VB Blues already building towards future success, Hudl is a piece of technology which could give players the edge they need when it matters most.
