Melbourne the centre for sports technology innovation

The fast growing sport technology sector is to focus on Melbourne over the coming days through Australian Sports Technology Week. 

With sports technology one of Australia’s emerging export successes, events today and tomorrow will see the showcasing of sports tech triumphs and emerging start-ups.

Covering data, digital, technology, sports, media, entertainment, performance and eSports, Australian Sports Technology Week will feature a Sports Start-up Day, Awards ceremony, and the largest Sports Tech conference in Asia

With more than 1,500 attendees expected across all events, the Week will lay the foundations for what the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), says will be Australia’s own ‘Silicon Valley’ of Global Sports Technology by 2030 - pioneering jobs and economic growth throughout the Asia-Pacific.

ASTN Chair James Demetriou, sees that the Australian sports technology industry is evolving into a thriving and emerging economic powerhouse, explaining “we have demonstrated globally through our innovative smarts and ingenuity, why Australian sports tech companies are the most sought-after companies in the world.

“Companies like Catapult Sports, 2xU, Rosterfy, Champion Data, Fusion Sports, DorsaVi, Genius Sports Tech, Sponserve, Vald Performance and KangaTech to name some, are global companies leading the way in sports technology and science and human performance are all part of the ASTN ecosystem.

“We continue to demonstrate globally why we lead the way in sports tech and why other countries like the US, European countries, Israel and China seek to lure our talent away. As a nation, we have to support and nurture our home-grown talent. Our knowledge in how we develop start-ups to grow the way they have as amazing companies is testimony to how successful our programs are.”

Demetriou advises that the ATSN manta, ‘born global or die local’, also reflects the importance of this growth mindset and the pathway that ASTN has built and used by many of its sports technology companies.

John Persico, Chief Executive of Vumero Sports and founder of the Australia Sports Analytics Conference, said the growth of sports tech in Australia has delivered outstanding outcomes and amazing companies that have scaled globally.

Persico commented “Australia has seen a progression of brilliance amongst some of the most shining lights, and this is all due to the establishment of a start-up culture and ecosystem that places support, development and investment as its key priority.”

According to Persico, Australia’s sport tech industry has massive potential which will be maximised if there is strong support and further investment from both State and Federal Government and corporate Australia.

Persico adds “if sport tech in Australia is to continue to maintain its global status of eminence then we can’t take our eyes off the ball.”

The Australia New Zealand Sports Technology Awards (ANZSTA) will be presented tonight at the Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

Click here for event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image courtesy of Sport Australia.