Frazer-Nash Consultancy has introduced game-changing techniques for elite sport through its recent work with Portsmouth Football Club. Working with the First Team Coach and Coaching Staff at the football club, a team of experts from across Frazer-Nash has applied their combined world-renowned expertise in engineering, data insights, training and human sciences to support data amalgamation, coach upskilling and add value from cutting-edge learning technologies and behavioural psychology expertise.
A focus on improving coach communication and maximising player learning targeted four specific areas: video analysis sessions, player development sessions, on-field training, coach feedback to players. The objective for analysis sessions was to increase the clarity of information provided to players, as well as developing individual delivery skills and the physical environment. Support for player development was aimed at increasing the amount of player input by applying different methods to engage players. Improvements for on-field training sessions were based on identifying how to fully utilise coaching staff. To enhance the feedback provided by coaching staff to players strategies were applied to elevate the quality and frequency of feedback, also utilising of different technologies.
Richard Hughes, Sporting Director, Portsmouth Football Club, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Dave Conway and the team from Frazer-Nash. As an innovative club we value linking with pioneering companies, developing our understanding of where cutting-edge technology can take us, and the benefits it can bring. Frazer-Nash’s support has helped us sharpen our processes, challenge our assumptions, and ultimately create more time for our staff to coach and connect with players. We look forward to continuing this collaboration into the future.”
Dave Conway, Learning Technologist at Frazer-Nash who has been leading the project said: "It's been brilliant to be involved with such a progressive and forward-thinking club. With an office in the local community, we are really proud to be continuing to support Pompey."
Co-ordinating with Richard Hughes, all of the focus areas were reviewed at regular intervals, with follow up actions and development points generated for both individuals and the collective coaching group.
To increase efficiencies around specified player data, an automated data pipeline was created with real-time performance reported via Power BI. This solution eliminated manual data entry, improved accuracy, and allowed coaches to access data easily, increasing their availability for player interaction.
Insights based on observation of various meetings and training sessions were provided from a psychology and behavioural science perspective, focusing on wellbeing, culture, and change. The club’s values and the rationale behind them were also a focal point.
The involvement of multiple teams from different disciplines, working cohesively together, demonstrates another successful example of our ‘team of teams’ approach. This has resulted in Frazer-Nash becoming a trusted source to solve problems for Portsmouth Football Club.
