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The Swinburne Sport Innovation Research Group are at the forefront of new research, analysis and thought leadership in sport innovation and technology and in 2022, the group will expand their impact with new white papers, collaborations and events, as well as through the appointment of one of Australia’s leading sport innovation and technology leaders, John Persico.

During the pandemic, sport as an industry and sport organisations were forced to innovate, learn to work in different ways and rapidly bring to market new products and platforms.

Co-director of the Sport Innovation Research Group, Associate Professor Adam Karg, says sport tech has undergone rapid advancement, with Australia emerging as a leader, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, the rise of digital fan engagement technologies (including NFTs) and development of high-performance technologies driving a sport innovation ecosystem.

Assoc Prof Karg notes “Innovation and technology in sport is a growth area – with over 500% growth in companies, jobs and export value in the last 25 years, and much more growth ahead. We can expect to see more new products, government support and private investment, and increases in Australian sport tech exports, and innovation roles and teams in sport organisations.

“National and state governing bodies, teams and leagues, start-ups and tech companies all participate in the creation and evolution of a sport tech and innovation ecosystem. To that end, innovation and the generation and sharing of new ideas might be the single most important challenge for sport into the future.”

Research that regularly kicks goals

At Swinburne, experts are working across the sport tech landscape, with ongoing and future projects in the creator economy, gaming and the metaverse, blockchain and emerging sports, and sports digital ethics.

The group are partnered with state and local government, national and state sports organisations, professional teams and leagues, as well as sport technology start-ups, to enhance their impact and respond to industry needs.

The strategy is working, with their impact recognised by the Sport Australian Innovation Network Strategy, which lists the formation of the Swinburne Sport Innovation Research Group as a foundation step in the history of sport technology and innovation in Australia.

Strengthening ties to industry

John Persico (pictured above)  is a founder of the Sport Tech World Series, an Australian Sport Technology Network board member and sport technology consultant. He has recently joined the group as an adjunct Industry Fellow.

His appointment will assist with the continuing development of deep industry engagement and support the connection between research and industry. Alongside research and guest teaching, a feature of John’s role will be working with the Sport Innovation Research Group on the release of a number of industry papers focussed on different areas of sport technology and the new sport economy.

Assoc Prof Karg adds “we are delighted to have John join us to work across a number of projects. John is an exceptional industry leader in the sport technology space, having developed leading industry events and advised organisations over a number of sectors.

“John is perfectly positioned to contribute to the Swinburne mission of connecting people and technology, and brings a strong background spanning work with governments, governing bodies and the start-up sector.”

Image courtesy swinburne.edu.au/

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