From Player to Coach
Alasdair Campbell’s journey in water polo spans over two decades, beginning as a player and evolving into a successful coaching career. With a sports scholarship in America and a bronze medal with Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Championship, Alasdair’s passion for the sport has always been evident. However, it wasn’t until he transitioned into coaching that he discovered the transformative power of video analysis, particularly through the use of Nacsport.
Discovering Video Analysis
Alasdair’s first real exposure to water polo video analysis came during his time at St. Andrews University (2018-2020), where he coached the men’s water polo team. At the time, video analysis was relatively new to him, but he quickly realised its potential after seeing how the woman's team coach utilised it to break down game footage.
Reflecting on this experience, Alasdair shared, “I saw first hand how powerful video analysis could be in shaping a team’s strategy. The ability to break down game footage and tag specific events opened my eyes to the possibilities.”
When Alasdair moved to coach at Edinburgh University in 2020, he faced a challenge: the team lacked video analysis software. Determined to bring the benefits of video analysis to his new team, Alasdair began searching for the right software. That’s when he discovered Nacsport.
Choosing Nacsport: A Strategic Decision
Alasdair was immediately impressed by Nacsport’s tagging functionality and the detailed statistical insights it offered. The availability of clear support videos online made it easy for him to get started, leading him to request a trial and eventually purchase a Nacsport Basic+ licence in 2021.
“The amount of tagging functionality in Nacsport was exactly what I was looking for,” said Alasdair. “The statistical information it could provide was impressive, and the fact that I could quickly learn how to use it through online tutorials made it an easy decision.”
For the first time, Alasdair could quickly create presentations of key game moments to show his players, rather than having them watch entire games without focused learning. The ability to tag individual players and provide personalised feedback further enhanced the team’s development. Additionally, the dashboards in Nacsport allowed Alasdair to generate and present meaningful statistics, giving his team insights they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Nacsport’s Impact on the Team
The 2021-2022 season marked Alasdair’s first full season using Nacsport with Edinburgh University. The team’s routine became one of playing games on Wednesdays, reviewing the footage on Thursdays, and immediately applying learnings in training that evening. This approach paid off, as the team finished the season with a 100% record, becoming the first Scottish university to win the BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) championship for men’s water polo.
“One of the highlights of that season was our performance in the BUCS final against Nottingham,” Alasdair recalled. “The atmosphere was intense, with their stands full of fans, but thanks to Nacsport, we were fully prepared. We broke down their defence exactly as we had planned in the video analysis sessions, and our 4-goal lead early on was a direct result of the work we’d done with the software.”
Sustained Success and Broader Impact
Since adopting Nacsport, Edinburgh University has made the BUCS final in the two subsequent seasons, narrowly missing out on the title each time. Despite these close losses, the team’s consistent presence in the finals speaks to the impact of Nacsport on their preparation and performance. Before Alasdair’s tenure, Edinburgh had only ever reached two finals in their history; under his guidance and with the support of Nacsport, they’ve now reached three consecutive finals, winning one.
“Nacsport has become an essential part of our success at Edinburgh,” Alasdair said. “It’s not just about the big games either—every training session is more focused, and every player gets tailored feedback that helps them improve.”
Beyond Edinburgh University, Alasdair has continued to use Nacsport with the Scottish U18 boys’ squad, where it has become an essential part of his coaching toolkit. The software has not only improved his ability to analyse and strategise but has also set a new standard for video analysis in water polo, with few other UK teams or universities using such advanced tools.
Alasdair’s Review of Nacsport
After three years of using Nacsport, Alasdair is unequivocal in his endorsement of the software. Initially starting with the Basic+ version, he upgraded to the Scout version last year, further expanding his analytical capabilities. He credits Nacsport with making his life as a coach “10 times easier,” allowing him to tag events, share individual feedback clips with players, and present match statistics in a way that resonates with his teams.
“When I started using Nacsport, I had no experience with video analysis,” Alasdair admitted. “But the support and online tutorials available made it very easy to learn. Once I got my head around how things fitted together, I was able to unlock the powerful tools available in Nacsport. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to take their video analysis to the next level.”
Conclusion: Nacsport’s Role in Shaping Future Success
Alasdair Campbell’s coaching journey is a testament to the transformative power of video analysis, and Nacsport has played a pivotal role in that transformation. From leading Edinburgh University to a historic BUCS championship win to consistently guiding the Scottish U18 boys’ squad, Nacsport has become an indispensable tool in Alasdair’s coaching tool kit. As he continues to strive for success with his teams, Nacsport will undoubtedly remain at the heart of his strategic approach, helping to shape the future of water polo in Scotland and beyond.
“Nacsport is more than just software,” Alasdair concluded. “It’s a game-changer for coaches like me who want to make a real difference in their teams’ performance. I couldn’t imagine coaching without it.”
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