A conversation in mid 2008 between the Power’s Senior Coach Mark Williams and Vodafone’s SA General Manager Declan O’Callaghan led to the latest integration of mobile technology into an age old game.
Introduced in Round 1 to the playing and coaching group, a new software program named Chalk, enables Power players to receive coaching feedback and homework, via mobile phone video. Partnered with access to the new Vodafone Blackberry Storm handset, players can also access shared calendars for training session and team meeting updates and preparation.
This new software, developed by Research In Motion (RIM) – a designer and manufacturer of innovative wireless solutions, provides the coaching staff the ability to record video messages to individual players to aid in their upcoming game preparations and detailing strategies on how to overcome next week’s opponent. Immediately after a game, the Power’s coaching staff uses webcams to record video messages providing feedback on their performance.
Psychologists have suggested that communicating feedback within a short time-frame after a game via an audio-visual medium can increase the players’ information retention and have the greatest impact. Sending the video files directly into the players’ hands via their Blackberry Storms also provides greater convenience rather than in previous years when players would be required to sit in a lecture theatre and collectively watch replays on video or DVD.
Thus far, this pilot program has been a resounding success for the three partners in the project – Vodafone, Research In Motion and the Port Adelaide Football Club. Further scope for this type of technology includes extended GPS capabilities on a game day and medical record management.
If you would be interested in talking to the team at Vodafone regarding what applications the Blackberry Storm could have in your business, please contact Anne Kellett on 0414 210 034.
