Australian Sportstech News

Leading volunteer workforce platform Rosterfy has announced a partnership with St John Ambulance. Rosterfy will support St John Ambulance in enhancing the way they engage and empower young people, youth leaders, volunteers, and parents. Through Rosterfy’s automation and scheduling capabilities, volunteers will have greater visibility of opportunities in real time, making it easier contribute to the incredible work that St John Ambulance delivers across communities. St John Ambulance are using Rosterfy to help them empower their Youth Leaders to run weekly first aid training sessions, interact with the public, and most importantly have fun and enjoy being part of the community.

Golf.ai has announced the launch of three groundbreaking AI experiences - Ai Caddie™, Ai Scorecard™, and What’s in My Bag™. Ai Caddie™ provides real time recommendations based on playing history, course conditions, and advanced Ai analytics, including personalised club suggestions and dynamic shot analysis. Ai Scorecard™ offers live player performance tracking, Ai generated insights, and trend spotting, initially launching with PGA Tour and LIV Golf events. What’s in My Bag™ provides personalised equipment insights, recommending optimal club configurations based on swing data and gear specs, and comparing with professional golfers' gear.

SureVision have released its new LED, crossbar technology. The release of the new technology introduces a new and innovative digital asset, and a desirable advertising platform for sponsors.  The first-ever high-resolution crossbar was used last weekend at the NRL's Māori v Indigenous game at Commbank Stadium. 

The NBL1 has welcomed INTIX on board as the league’s Preferred Ticketing Partner. INTIX has signed a five-year deal with the NBL1, that includes all five conferences, of NBL1 North, East, South, West, and Central. INTIX has been NBL1's ticketing partner for the National Finals for three years, and already work with more than 35 NBL1 clubs. For clubs looking to boost attendance, data insights, and revenue, INTIX offers a powerful, integrated solution to simplify administration, enhance operations, and elevate the fan experience.

BetMakers Technology has announce the long-term extension of its agreement with leading Australian wagering operator Sportsbet for the provision of its pricing and data services across three-codes of racing. Under this extended agreement, BetMakers will continue supplying Sportsbet with a comprehensive suite of pricing and data solutions to drive their global racing book.

Williams have secured what the British Formula 1 team describes as the “biggest partnership deal” in their 48-year history, with software firm Atlassian becoming their title partner. Williams have agreed a multi-year commitment with the team collaboration provider and productivity software company. Atlassian’s branding will feature prominently on their 2025 challenger as well as the race suits of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, teamwear and the squad’s own branding.

Streaming giant Disney+ has announced it will add ESPN sports programming to its library for Australian and New Zealand customers at no extra cost. The launch follows the same rollout in Latin America in June last year, and the US in December last year. It will feature US shows such as SportsCenter, The Pat McAfee Show, NBA Today, and First Take, along with live NBA and NFL matches, replays, and original programming. ESPN programming has to date been available via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and Sky NZ.

A Melbourne-based software platform used to organise volunteers globally for non-profits, governments, sporting federations and events - including this year’s Superbowl in New Orleans - has raised an additional $AUD 5.5 million from Australian venture capital firm OIF Ventures. The funding boost for Rosterfy got over the line in December as an extension to Bailador Technology Investments' $AUD 3 million investment in October, which had followed a $US 9.8 million injection in April 2023. Rosterfy's Software as a Service (SaaS) platform allows organisations to automate their end-to-end volunteer management from recruitment, screening and training through to scheduling, rewarding and reporting.

Kayo Sports has just launched an campaign using Komo Technologies marketing technologies, giving fans the chance to win a Las Vegas experience coinciding with NRL games in late February. The prize includes flights, game tickets, VIP perks, and more. By leveraging Komo’s Memory Match and Leaderboard, Kayo is driving deeper fan engagement while expanding its customer base.

NSW-based media and production company BarTV Sports has announced a strategic alliance with the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL). The partnership will provide the NSWRL’s 117,000 members and supporters with extensive coverage from grassroots all the way up to major competitions across NSW for up to $AUD 19.95 a month. The move follows the introduction of a dedicated subscription-based app for NSWRL TV in 2024. Approximately 900 games will be covered per annum for NSWRL, with BarTV streaming over 8,000 games across multiple sports per annum.

Tennis Australia has taken a page directly from the NFL, NBA, and MLB playbook by launching its own venture capital fund. Their unique advantage? Immediate access to those 1.2 million attendees, 10 million broadcast viewers in Australia alone, and a direct line to 1.5 million active tennis players nationwide. At the heart of their strategy is AO STARTUPS, a unique program redefining how sports organisations invest. Startups can test their products during the Australian Open, gaining invaluable exposure and immediate feedback. Tennis Australia just announced they’ve had their first fund close. This fund is called AO Ventures. The $US 30 million fund has cash commitments from the family office of Tesla chair and Blackbird partner Robyn Denholm (Wollemi Capital Group) and the Gnanalingam family, who own the London football club Queens Park Rangers.

Since 2018, Swimming Australia has worked with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop technology that is the envy of other global swimming powerhouses. Swimming Australia is using computer vision, machine learning and generative AI to track swimmers and analyse their results.  The technology has changed how coaches and athletes approach competition and training. It provides valuable information for coaches to make better informed decisions about their athletes and tailor training programs for individuals to be the best they can be. In the past, Swimming Australia has only used the technology at high-level race meets, however, in its push to continue to innovate and stay ahead of the rest of the world, the technology will now also be used in the training pool – another world first.

In October 2024, the Lao Football Federation (LFF) was named the AFC Member Association of the Year. This prestigious recognition was awarded for their commitment to innovation and football development, especially in the realm of youth football. LFF is using cutting-edge technology like DRIBL to fuel their ambitions and overcome the limitations they face as a small football nation. By embracing DRIBL, the LFF has streamlined league management, eliminated the need for time-consuming paper records, and introduced a new level of transparency and efficiency to their operations. The ability to manage leagues online has made it possible for youth players from even the most remote provinces to compete, with results accessible to coaches, scouts, and even potential sponsors.

Fast-growing, Australian-born fitness franchise STRONG Pilates has launched world-first strength training equipment - bridging the gap between strength conditioning and traditional Pilates. STRONG Pilates has introduced a Reverse Spring System built into their exclusive Rowformer and Bikeformer beds - a reformer bed with a rower or bike attached. The new Reverse Spring System allows users to lift over 40kg through a series of exercises that replicate the power of traditional strength training movements like squats and deadlifts while remaining low-impact.

Leading fitness & wellness new source Athletech has announced the 50 most innovative companies that will define the fitness and wellness industry’s future. The list includes three Australian companies including Centr (the fitness app and equipment brand founded by Christ Hemsworth), Evolt (body scanning technology) and F45 Training (high-intensity gym and functional centres).  

FrogBox has announced a partnership with Prime Video to help grow female cricket at the grassroots level. Through this initiative, 50 community cricket clubs with female teams across Australia are receiving a free FrogBox Streaming Kit, empowering them to capture and share their matches, celebrate moments, create visible role models and inspire the next generation of female cricketers.

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and BMO Stadium have teamed up with PAM’s Smart Navigation Platform to redefine the fan experience, offering real-time traffic and parking updates while streamlining the journey for every attendee. Using PAM’s cutting-edge 3D interactive mapping technology, fans will enjoy state-of-the-art digital wayfinding that guides them from parking, to food and beverage options, and ultimately to their seats. Fans can access the new LAFC eXplorer maps through the Venuetize Mobile App, the LAFC website, QR codes, and other communications channels, ensuring accessibility across multiple touchpoints.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and VALD have announced a collaboration to advance musculoskeletal health technology solutions for physical therapy providers and their patients. Through this collaboration, APTA and VALD aim to expand access to advanced tools that improve assessment, treatment and outcomes across physical therapy. As part of this data and technology collaboration, VALD will leverage its innovative technology to elevate clinical outcomes and reinforce the value of physical therapy care.

The Liberty Hockey One League will remain live and free on 7plus Sport, with Hockey Australia and the Seven Network today announcing a long-term partnership extension. The three-year commitment will see Seven remain the home of hockey until the end of 2027. It follows a record-breaking 2024, during which thousands of Australians witnessed HC Melbourne and the Perth Thundersticks make history by winning the men’s and women’s crowns for the first time.

The India Sports Launchpad Program offers Queensland companies with an opportunity to expand networks, showcase capabilities, and drive exports in India’s sports market. Supported by KPMG India, this program combines virtual and in-market components to deliver essential market insights and connect participants with key Indian stakeholders, including professional sports clubs, organizations, and investors. The TIQ India Sports Launchpad Program will take place from March 2 to 8, 2025, incorporating the Australia-Gujarat Sports Forum and the Indian International Sports Summit.

Optus, Australia's No. 2 telecom carrier, is in talks to sell its sports streaming platform Optus Sport to media house Nine Entertainment, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported on Monday. A deal would let Nine's local streaming service Stan stream matches from the Premier League. Optus Sport has exclusive streaming rights to the Premier League, which AFR estimated to be worth A$100 million ($62.2 million) per year, and the FA Cup, another English football tournament, until 2028. Stan already broadcasts the UEFA Champions League football and the Wimbledon tennis tournaments.

Big Bash League team Melbourne Stars have partnered with marketing tech company Komo Technologies to launch an exciting predictor game in under 4 hours! The game gives fans the chance to test their cricket knowledge and get involved in the action. The solution provides valuable fan insights for the Stars' membership team to build on next season.

Tennis Australia has announced the startups that have been selected for their next edition of AO Startups. The new cohort - Volta, Oho, INTIX, Foodini, Scala Sports, Lumi and exar.live - bring the 2025 AO StartUps portfolio to twelve companies, making it the largest intake since the program’s inception. Companies participating in AO StartUps are provided the opportunity to prove their business models in real time and directly access proprietary intel and exposure at one of the world’s largest sport and entertainment events. 

Deakin University and VicHealth are joining forces to launch a world-leading research centre to explore interactions between our economy, commercial entities and health outcomes. Deakin and VicHealth will each invest $AUD 4 million over the next 5 years in the "VicHealth Commercial and Economic Determinants of Health Research Translation Centre". The centre's research will be used to create better health policies, healthier communities and a higher quality of life for Victorians.

ROUVY, the indoor cycling app that brings the world's most iconic rides to life using real video routes filmed on location, empowering users to ride, train, and explore anywhere from home, has announced that it has completed acquisition of fellow platform FulGaz from The IRONMAN Group. Athletes can now access the top 20 most popular FulGaz routes on ROUVY in addition to numerous courses from IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races around the world.

International gaming marketing company, Livewire, is officially partnering with American video game publisher and developer, Zynga, to help brands reach gamers. Covering markets in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the partnership melds Zynga’s reach (a web made up of players based in more than 170 countries and more than 6 billion downloads) with Livewire’s next-generation attention platform. The move is expected to assist brands in engaging with audiences in the gaming space, via “rewarded video, playable ads, and custom integrations.

Garmin Health and WeGuide have announced the winners of the Australian and New Zealand Research Grant 2024. The research grant recognises pioneering medical and wellbeing researchers and innovative digital health startups. Three research projects from Edith Cowan University, Queensland University of Technology and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute were recipients. The winners will receive ten Garmin wearables for seamless data collection and the opportunity to use the WeGuide platform to facilitate participant engagement and data collection.

Tennis Australia has announced the launch of Beyond Tennis powered by Infosys, an innovative free gaming app that blends sport, artificial intelligence, social media, and storytelling. Designed to captivate Gen Z, gaming enthusiasts, and tennis fans alike, Beyond Tennis allows users to step into the role of a player’s coach or agent, shaping the careers of AI-driven tennis players both on and off the court. Using advanced AI engines, users can guide their players’ training and strategy, while chatting with them in a life-like simulation, while watching their season play out in real-time on social media.

BindiMaps is providing the smart wayfinding solution for the Australian Open for the 4th year in a row. The solution particularly helps those that are vision impaired or use a wheel chair in navigating their way through the venues. The solution helps patrons find courts, explore food options or nearby facilities using maps and audio options. 

The Australian Open might look a little different this year if you’re livestreaming it on YouTube. That’s because the tournament has put an animated overlay on some of its matches to avoid broadcast licensing conflicts, making players look like Wii Sports characters. The technology, which the Australian Open first introduced last year, uses 12 cameras to process the silhouette of the human in real time, and stitch that together across 29 points in the skeleton.

News Corp’s $AUD 3.4 billion sale of Foxtel to DAZN could face heightened regulatory scrutiny as the UK-headquartered global sports streamer entertains investment interest from a unit of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. DAZN held talks with a unit of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund according to the New York Times. The talks could see the kingdom invest about $US 1 billion in DAZN and secure a stake of up to 10% of the global sports streaming platform. The stake could be announced within weeks, according to Bloomberg.

As part of Advance Queensland's Private Sector Pathways Inclusive Sport Tech Challenge last year, three innovative businesses are making significant strides towards a more inclusive sporting landscape in Queensland. BowerBird Industries takes the concept of fitness to a new level with the Virtual Handbike, seamlessly blending a physical handcycle with virtual training software Zwift. Able Digital Wellness offers a digital platform which allows users to explore various sports from the comfort of their homes. Whilst Cérge provides a communications platform to improve inclusiveness and inclusivity to sports facilities.

Tennis Australia has successfully raised nearly $AUD 50 million to launch AO Ventures, a sports and entertainment fund aimed at supporting tech-focused startups. With backing from notable investors such as Tanarra Capital's John Wylie and Wollemi Capital’s Robyn Denholm, AO Ventures plans to make around 20 investments and utilize the Australian Open as an innovation testing ground. 

Oho, a portfolio company of the Alice Anderson Fund, has just announced a five year deal with Tennis Australia to protect children in sport. The deal will see the startup’s accreditation screening and verification technology used to vet coaches, officials, athlete services, and event management teams at the Australian Open and across Tennis Australia programs nationwide. Co-founded by former World Vision CEO Claire Rogers, Oho now supports over 130 organisations across Australia, completing 2 million checks a year and thousands of corrective compliance actions. Oho has also been selected in Tennis Australia's AO Startups program.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced a new initiative in collaboration with the National Safe Boating Council to pilot interactive safety content through a free mobile app called DECKEE. The app is designed to keep boaters safe and informed. Over 1 million boat owners in Florida now have access to the benefits and safety features in the free DECKEE app. This includes detailed maps, facility information, official warnings, aids to navigation, and access to personalized equipment checklists, boating forecasts, regulations and resources.

Australian cycling apparel MAAP are entering the UCI WorldTour as the official technical supplier to GreenEDGE Cycling (Team Jayco AlUla, Liv AlUla Jayco, and Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team) for the 2025 season and beyond in a multi-year collaboration. Partnering with Australia's premier men’s and women’s WorldTour teams builds on MAAP's history of supporting professional teams and riders. The partnership also brings together two iconic brands of Australian cycling, both with a shared mission of performance, innovation, and elevating the sport on a global stage.

The Foxtel Group welcomed an agreement announced by its shareholders – News Corp and Telstra – that will see DAZN, a premier global sports streaming platform, acquire 100% of the Australian subscription television company. The deal will provide more international sports for Foxtel and Kayo subscribers and new opportunities to bring Australian sport to DAZN’s global audience. The transaction values the Foxtel Group as a streaming-led business with an enterprise value of $AUD 3.4 billion representing more than 7 x Fiscal 2024 Foxtel EBITDA. News Corp and Telstra will remain involved as shareholders in DAZN.

Australian independent provider of ticketing solutions, INTIX, has joined the AO StartUps programme. The Australian Open’s start-up initiative helps to accelerate businesses working in sport, health and entertainment to build, test or pilot solutions with Tennis Australia and tennis events. INTIX has been piloting its next-gen ticketing platform at the women’s Workday Canberra International 2025. The easy-to-use, full-feature online, membership, reserved seating and door sales solutions have been used by other sporting organisations in Australia, including AFL Victoria, Western Australian Football League, Queensland Rugby League and more. The full cohort of AO StartUp companies will be announced in the leadup to Australian Open 2025.

Racing and Sports, a leading provider of global racing data and trading solutions has announced that DAZN Bet has become the first UK operator to go live with Pragmatic Play's newly launched horse racing product. This release offers DAZN Bet users with best-in-class racing content, global data and innovative betting solutions.

The Las Vegas Raiders' has officially implemented PAM's Smart Navigation platform on their Mobile App and on the Allegiant Stadium Website. The platform provides more than just navigation, including premium experiences for fans, data-driven insights and enhanced in-venue revenue opportunities.