Academy Insight

ProZone technology has long been renowned for providing innovative and objective information to Managers and Players regarding the analysis of the game at first team level.

But now, thanks to new and innovative use of ProZone MatchInsight technology, we have gone into the “classrooms” at football clubs to offer the youngest members of the professional football ranks a unique tool that will help their education ON and OFF the field.

At ProZone, we are committed to helping our customers at ALL levels throughout their clubs, which is why, since our inception, we have processed many Academy games free of charge to allow Academies to access the same comprehensive data used at first team level.

Now, the MatchInsight Licence - currently integrated at six Premiership clubs - means our customers are able to analyse as many games as possible for an affordable price so reserve and youth team games can be reviewed in the same manner as first team matches.

And many of our forward-thinking customers are using their Academy scholars to actually analayse and break down the ProZone data, giving young players the chance to interact with technology and objective performance analysis - an activity which can contribute to the students’ GNVQ experience and qualifications (credits).

Reading Football Club,
the Academy code their own matches internally and have created an environment where the players can analyse their own performance.

Wigan Athletic Football Club, a partnership with Edge Hill University has provided an opportunity for the club to have their games coded and processed quickly, accurately and consistently. The partnership with Edge Hill has provided a unique pathway for academia to collaborate with both professional sport and a prestigious local brand.

In short, Wigan’s youth players are able to play the game and then retire to the classroom where they can input and analyse their own performances as part of their education. Wigan Athletic Performance Analyst Paul Winstanley said: “I’m delighted that we have acquired ProZone MatchInsight for our youth team. Having access to ProZone information at all levels of the club is of paramount importance for overall club development and the consistency of objective ProZone language is now supported by our partnership with Edge Hill University.”

David Lowe, the club’s Youth Team Coach, added: “I never imagined that a youth team would be able to get ProZone information, but I’m really pleased that we can now access a wealth of analysis that is comprehensive and allows the players to interactively analyse their own performance. For our coaching staff and the players to review performances on ProZone is vital so that we continue to provide an environment whereby technology is integrated with our coaching philosophy to meet the needs of our players.”

And Dr Evelyn Carnegie, Head of Sport & Physical Activity at Edge Hill University, said: “The partnership gives us a significant platform for students to develop sports science links to both professional sport and business. Our association with Wigan Athletic FC and ProZone is mutually beneficial and will enable us to facilitate our student’s journey into the world of employment whilst supporting a local Premiership club to develop talent at the youth level.”

Over the last seven years, we have met with many Premier League Academy managers and gained an understanding of what is important to them in educating and developing the next generation of players.

Barry McNeill, ProZone’s Head of Business Development, said: “The consistency of language within any organisation is fundamental and ProZone is committed to delivering performance-affecting information at all levels within the game.

“Our pioneering ProZone MatchInsight Software Licence now permits clubs to integrate the use of information throughout the Academy and for the Reserves which can only supplement the development of talent and create synergy with the first team.

“Over the past eight years ProZone has analysed over 50 FA Youth Cup Games on ProZone3 and over 150 Reserve and Youth Games on ProZone MatchViewer and we will continue to invest in this area of development by supporting our customers’ needs and providing unique analysis tools.”