Australian Sportstech News

Play Today officially launches Golf Ai, the next generation Golf Ai service for the golf industry. Play Today is solving a centuries-long dilemma – how to make sense of the golf rules! Not only has the Australian-based company unlocked a complicated and nuanced problem, but they’ve gone a step further to enable frictionless and fun ways for consumers to interact with golf.

IDA Sports - an athletic footwear brand dedicated to prioritizing high performance and comfortable gear for women and girls - has announced the launch of its Spring/Summer soccer cleat line. These revolutionary soccer shoes are designed to empower athletes while addressing the unique challenges women and girls face, including ACL injuries. Beginning February 5, 2024, IDA Sports spring/summer 2024 shoes are available online for purchase on idasports.com and through select retail partners, including Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

Total Performance Data and tripleSdata have come together to create the world’s largest automated distributor of live horse racing performance data to racecourses, stakeholders, bookmakers, media and racing fans. The merger will result in the combined company supplying live and post-race performance data from over 100 racetracks in 11 different countries, 365 days a year.  

Renowned for revolutionising the smartphone mounting space, Quad Lock has entered the action camera market, introducing two new adaptors to expand its mounting solution ecosystem. These new adaptors will empower users to capture and share their adventures with ease and confidence, helping to solidify Quadlock's position as the most intuitive mounting solution on the market.

Fliteboard, a leading manufacturer of electric hydrofoil surfboards, announced the launch of its new sub-brand FLITElab*. The announcement coincides with the launch of FLITElab*’s first product, the AMP board, which can help surfers catch a wave, both assisted and electricity-free.

Brisbane Roar FC has announced a new partnership with VERVE Fitness, a renowned Queensland-based fitness equipment company. VERVE Fitness, distinguished for its athlete-run operations, specializes in designing premium fitness equipment. A cornerstone of this partnership is the development of the VERVE Performance Centre. This state-of-the-art gym, set to be constructed at Brisbane Roar’s new Brendale training facility, represents a significant investment in the future of sports training and athlete development.

Today DECKEE announced the launch of NSBC Boating Data, DECKEE's new partnership initiative with the National Safe Boating Council to bring unprecedented data-driven decisions to recreational boating safety across the United States. The industry-first service offers unprecedented insights and analysis of privacy-protected boating activity and behavior informed by GPS movement capture and boater data inputs, helping government, consultants and businesses achieve a variety of operational, economic and environmental outcomes.

Populous has secured a contract to become the lead architect on the redevelopment of one of the world’s most iconic cricket stadiums, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. All of Populous’ work in the Asia Pacific region is directed from its APAC headquarters in Brisbane, with 14 offices reporting to this central hub, including in India. Along with Narendra Modi Stadium and the MCG, Populous’ cricket stadium portfolio includes Lord’s in London, England and The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia.

Lumin Sports and the Volleyball League of America (VLA) have entered a performance partnership to support the growth and development of professional volleyball in the United States. The agreement allows the Australian-based technology company to expand its footprint in the United States while the VLA leverage Lumin Sports’ athletic performance software to support its premier teams manage physical performance, monitor health and wellness data, as well as improve team operations and administration.

To enhance its members' experience in clubs across Australia, Anytime Fitness - with more than 550 clubs and 650,000 members - has recently launched AF SmartCoaching technology and AF App. AF SmartCoaching will provide Anytime Fitness members with personalised coaching that can now be accessed via the app anytime, anywhere. The app also features the ability for members to upgrade to the AF Access Pass and enjoy the convenience of opening the door to clubs around Australia with their smartphone. 

Winter Sports World (WSW), the ground-breaking indoor snow resort proposed for Penrith, has achieved a significant milestone with the granting of approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. Dubbed “The Giant Esky,” the project is set to enter a phase of detailed design and engineering development in early 2024, with negotiations ongoing for suppliers and contractors globally.

Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) has announced that it has been successful in its application for grant funding from the Waste Sorted program, an initiative of the WA government’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). SEA’s successful submission was titled Reducing Community Waste: A team sport, and our project brings together five of SEA’s WA member sporting clubs from grassroots to elite level, to identify and implement behaviour change and education programs that reduce waste to landfill. Partners include Fremantle Dockers Football Club, West Coast Eagles, Western Force Rugby, Vasse Soccer Club and Youngs Siding Swamprats Cricket Club.

The Australia Open tennis tournament is using BindiMaps wayfinding solution for the 3rd year running. The app allows fans of all abilities to find what they need at the AO. BindiMaps have also introduced table-top kiosks for quick visual route checks. 

Centr, founded by Chris Hemsworth, has launched a new program, 'Centr Circuit: Elevate', to support members on their health and wellness journey. The six-week program features an all-new format to energize daily workouts with a wide variety of movements that promote strength and mobility, and conveniently offers a bootcamp style of functional fitness that’s accessible from the comfort of home, or at the gym through the Centr app.

GoPro announced an agreement to acquire Forcite Helmet Systems, a pioneer in embedding technology into helmets based in Australia. GoPro intends to accelerate Forcite's vision to provide a safer, more dynamic motorcycling experience through tech-enabled motorcycle helmets with the long-term goal of tech-enabling other categories of helmets over time.

Leading global sportstech investor, APEX (which invests with 100+ elite athletes), has announced their inaugural investments as part of their Impact Program, a key component of the firm’s Elite Performance VC Fund.

Following the programme, APEX has invested in three companies: Hexis, a personalised nutrition platform; VRTL, a virtual fan engagement platform, and ASTN Accelerator-alumni, Traits Insights, an athlete profiling solution.

See Traits Insights Press Release at https://www.traitsinsights.com/articles/traits-insights-apex-partnership

See the ASTN Case Study on Traits Insights at https://www.astn.com.au/case-study/traits-insights-translating-complex-sports-data-into-meaningful-player-insights.

Sportway has unveiled a landmark collaboration with Hockey Australia, solidifying its role as the exclusive broadcast production partner for National Championships for the next three years. This alliance will introduce cutting-edge technology and AI-driven cameras to create an unparalleled LiveHockey.com.au experience for fans nationwide.

Fans can experience BatFast’s new dynamic tennis simulator at #AO2024 with the innovative technology showcased as part of the AO StartUps program.

The UK startup uses data, augmented reality technology, machine learning and robotics to re-engineer how sports are played, helping drive participation and access to sport globally.
 

Brisbane Roar have partnered with AQUAME to provide A-League Men and A-League Women high-tech water bottles, delivering them the best day-to-day hydration as professional footballers. AQUAME is a tech-integrated water bottle, offering UVC sanitation, drink reminders, and real-time tracking, all guided by an AI-enhanced app for optimal hydration.  

KORE has announced that they have partnered with with Tennis Australia and the flagship Australian Open. Tennis Australia will use KORE's AI-powered Evaluate Social tool which will be pivotal in optimizing their social media impact, enabling smarter content decisions, and quantifying the value of owned and earned posts across the Summer of Tennis.

ProtectedSeas Navigator, the world’s most comprehensive database of marine life protections and their boundaries, has announced a new partnership with Deckee to make its environmental information freely available to boaters in an easy-to-use mobile app for the first time. Used by over a quarter of a million boaters so far, Deckee helps deliver the best possible boating experience by providing every boater – whether beginner or experienced – with the tools, insights and products they need to be smarter, safer, and enjoy themselves on the water.  

Racing and Sports is pleased to announce it has signed a multi-year contract with Playbook Engineering to supply pre-race data and pricing services across Playbook’s platform brands. The three-year contract is to be the exclusive supplier of RAS’s best-in-class wagering technology solution, racing data and editorial content.

The founders of real-time gym analytics platform, Barbell Mate, have just launched an affordable timing gate platform called Timing Mate for the high performance sports market.

Sport tech enterprise Crionet has acquired a majority stake in LIGR, a company offering cloud-based graphics, streaming and highlights solutions for sports at all levels. Founded in 2016 in Sydney, Australia, LIGR is renowned for providing cloud-based live graphics solutions for sports broadcasts. The company already delivers solutions across a diverse spectrum of sports around the world, including American football, soccer, rugby, basketball and tennis.

Global gaming marketing leader Livewire is today launching Gameview, a new adtech platform providing a one-stop access point for marketers wanting to reach gamers. The new platform combines exclusive gaming media, sophisticated targeting and real-time effectiveness metrics with a creative studio.

Online sports betting operator Picklebet has secured $AUD 15m in a Series A funding round. DraftKings’ multi-stage venture capital firm Drive by DraftKings took part in the round. Last year, Picklebet entered into a two-year deal with Racing and Sports (RAS). The deal saw RAS provide its risk managed trading service to Picklebet’s racing offering.

South Australian entrepreneurs Kayla Itsines and Tobi Pearce will once again lead the SWEAT fitness empire they founded, after buying back the company they sold to US firm iFIT in 2021. Itsines, who has been the face of the brand since she and Pearce founded the company in 2015, said on Tuesday the decision to take back control is about “ensuring the best future for Sweat”. The price of the acquisition has not been disclosed.

The MyVenue POS solution's impact on the global sports and entertainment venue sector was recognized last night, with MyVenue winning a national category at the Australian Export Awards. “In just over 18 months, 75+ stadiums, arenas, and other major hospitality venues have deployed MyVenue’s point of sale solution in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia,” said CEO Tim Stollznow.

Australia’s most popular destination for sporting goods, rebel, is opening the doors to its new flagship store at Emporium Melbourne on Thursday, 30 November. The flagship store has been designed to be a hyper-immersive sporting and fitness experience, boasting a NBA-sized ‘Stephen Curry Rooftop Court’ half-court, a dedicated Yoga and Wellness zone and the ‘rebel FIT LAB’; with 3D scanning and pressure plate technology to help customers find their perfect fit. The space also includes interactive digital games in a Football Zone, including AFL game ‘Take The Mark and soccer games ‘Top Bins’ and ‘Match the Footy.’

HITIQ has extended its relationship with the Western Australian Football Commission (WAFC), further cementing HITIQ's leadership in the Australian Football community. WAFC acknowledges that the precision and reliability of the data collected by HITIQ mouthguards has been instrumental in their approach to player performance and welfare. 

PlayerMaker have announced the University of Wollongong will be using their boot sensor technology in enhancing both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in exercise and sports science.

The Peach Belt Conference today announced that the league has entered into a partnership with Linius Technologies Limited to provide Linius Whizzard, an automated video highlights, content curation, and video personalization solution, to its 10 member institutions.  The partnership is the first in the United States for Linius which is based in Melbourne, Australia.

The Brisbane 2032 infrastructure program will be funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Agreement. The $7 billion-plus infrastructure program will reshape some of Queensland’s most significant venues and precincts, leaving a legacy for the community well after 2032. On 24 November 2023, it was announced that the Project Validation Report (PVR) Summary ( 1.3 MB), and design and construction procurement will now begin

In the competitive world of health and fitness technology, cutting-edge body composition technology innovator Evolt 360 is fast-tracking its global expansion via significant new partnerships with Goodlife Fitness Canada, Matrix Fitness and Jetts Australia. GoodLife Fitness Canada is a behemoth of the Canadian fitness scene and the fourth largest globally with 650,000 members across 200 clubs and a team of over 13,000 associates. Evolt 360 is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing GoodLife’s offering with its innovative body composition monitoring technology to be used as a personal training assessment tool to inform customised training plans for GoodLife members.