Creating Stars Together: A Cross-Season Collaboration with the PSV Soccer School
In the dynamic world of Dutch football, schools and camps serve as crucial nurseries for rising talents, whether they are seasoned players or those just starting out. These places are more than training grounds; they are the playgrounds of potential, offering amateur players the chance to access top-notch facilities. The PSV Soccer School stands out in this landscape, providing children with a unique opportunity to dive into the distinctive vision, training methods, and coaching styles synonymous with the prestigious PSV Youth Academy.
Last year marked an exciting momentum for both the PSV Soccer School and SmartGoals as they joined forces for a cross-season collaboration that infused SmartGoals technology into player development and data collection. This partnership introduced SmartGoals' SkillGames module, a globally embraced performance measurement protocol, offering a more nuanced, technology-driven player improvement for young talents within the PSV Soccer School. In less than a year, the parties tested the mettle of 300 players with over 20 standardized tests covering agility, reaction speed, endurance, passing, and dribbling.
The SkillGames Experience
Throughout the 10-week training modules, participants were put through assessments based on physical, technical, and cognitive performance, facilitating player growth tracking, identifying standout performers, and scouting the next big talent. The journey began and ended with a specially designed experience-based circuit training session, enabling participants to monitor their progress over the training period.
From one side, the SkillGames data platform allowed coaches to assess player profiles, track historical data, monitor growth over time, and potentially open doors to a future in professional football.
Raising the Bar by Facing Off Against Real Stars
What makes SkillGames truly remarkable is its technical prowess for the staff and the added excitement for the players. Coaches use it to identify talent by testing players' skills like agility, passing, dribbling, speed, and endurance. It helps organizations collect data for various purposes, from monitoring player growth to scouting the next top talent. However, for players, the added excitement lies in comparing results with real PSV players, friends, and peers. Furthermore, PSV raised the bar for player engagement by enlisting four first-league players to challenge aspiring footballers. They got a rare chance to face off against Mauro Jr., Branthwaite, Hulswit, and Peersman in SkillGames challenges, showcasing their skills in a gamified setting.
The SkillGames SkillCard Concept – The Hero Moment of the Game
Besides the player comparison, players’ achieved skill scores are the foundation for a personalized FUT Card, much like the FIFA Ultimate Team cards.
The SkillGames SkillCard (available in both digital and physical formats) concept ingeniously combines performance and marketing through gamification. The Skill Scores are not just about competition anymore; it's about creating a strong bond between the brand and the athlete, making football development more exciting, informed, and engaging for everyone involved – creating stars together.
Conclusion? Football is evolving, and with SkillGames, players are not just improving; they're becoming stars in the making. :)
Ready to Elevate Your Game? Try SkillGames to Improve Your Skills and track Your Progress. Apply for a demo, reach out to us at info@smartgoals.nl or submit the form on the website.