Introduction: Transforming Sports Performance at Durham University
Durham University, renowned for its rich history and commitment to excellence, embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its sports performance capabilities. With the completion of a £32 million investment in its sports facilities in 2019, the university aimed to establish itself as a leader in sports performance in the northeast of England. Central to this vision was the integration of cutting-edge technology, particularly through the use of our AP Capture IP Cameras and Nacsport video analysis software.
A Vision for Enhanced Performance Analysis
Richard Warburton, Performance Sport Services Manager at Durham University, highlighted the university’s commitment to improving its performance analysis provision. "The desire and requirement from our coaching staff and athletes was to really improve our performance analysis provision," Richard explained. This led to a partnership with AnalysisPro in 2018, where an assessment of the university’s facilities was conducted to determine the best way to implement analysis hardware and supporting software.
Implementing AP Capture: A Game-Changer for Durham Hockey
The hockey programme at Durham University has greatly benefited from the introduction of AP Capture cameras. Poppy Martin, Head of Hockey, oversees both the men’s and women’s hockey programmes at the university. “Durham Hockey are very fortunate to have two AP Capture cameras, head on, on each of our pitches,” Poppy shared. This setup allows simultaneous recording of two games, providing instant access to high-quality footage immediately after the matches.
This immediate access to footage has revolutionised the way the Durham Hockey approaches post-match analysis. "We can have someone controlling the cameras upstairs, collecting really high-quality footage, and then straight after the game, we can download that and start analysing and reviewing the match," Poppy explained. This streamlined process has allowed the coaching staff to provide timely feedback to players, enhancing their ability to learn and improve.
Pip Konnerth, Hockey Club Programme Coordinator, added, “The AP Capture system enables us to film all of our home matches, and we have that footage immediately after the game finishes. We then use Nacsport to do all of our tagging, which allows us to quickly analyse different aspects of the game, like ball starts, circle entries, and free hits.”
Nacsport: Elevating Analysis Across Multiple Sports
Durham University’s use of AP Capture and Nacsport has not been limited to hockey. The basketball programme, led by Head Coach Lee Davie, has also seen significant improvements in performance analysis. “We found the performance analysis to be one of the driving forces of success here at the university,” Lee remarked. The ability to live-stream practices and provide instant feedback has been crucial in helping players meet their individual and team goals.
Lee emphasised the importance of match-day analysis in his coaching approach. "The use of match day analysis has been essential for me as a performance coach to see where we went right and what we need to improve on, both individually and collectively. It enables us to set the programme moving forward for the next week, making any adjustments needed."
Poppy Martin echoed this sentiment, noting how Nacsport has streamlined their analysis process: "What we can get out of Nacsport now is so much greater than what we could do in the past. It speeds up the process, allowing us to get feedback to the players much quicker. The objective data provided by Nacsport is invaluable, helping us compare our progress throughout the season and measure specific targets we’ve set for ourselves."
Empowering Students and Building Future Leaders
Beyond the immediate benefits to sports teams, the integration of AP Capture and Nacsport at Durham University has also played a significant role in student development. Richard Warburton highlighted how these technologies have provided students with valuable skills in performance analysis. “AP Capture has enabled students to use performance analysis software to help develop themselves and their skill set within that area,” he said. This hands-on experience is not only enriching students’ learning but also contributing back to the teams and clubs they play for.
A New Era of Sports Performance at Durham University
Durham University’s strategic use of AP Capture and Nacsport has been instrumental in their rise as a top-performing sports institution. The technology has allowed coaches to provide timely and detailed feedback, improved the accuracy of match analysis, and empowered students with valuable skills in performance analysis. As a result, Durham University secured a top 3 finish in the BUCS overall points table in the 2023/24 season, a testament to the effectiveness of their innovative approach.
“Having this technology at our fingertips has been essential in moving our programme forward,” Lee Davie concluded. “It’s a game-changer for both our coaches and our athletes, allowing us to push the boundaries of success at Durham University.”
Reach out to us today, to see how AP Capture IP Cameras and Nacsport can transform your educational institution into a hub of sports analysis excellence.
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