Australian Sportstech News

Helmet House has announced a partnership with Quad Lock as its exclusive U.S. powersports distributor, a collaboration marking a significant milestone in Quad Lock's North American expansion. Quad Lock is renowned for their market-leading smartphone mounts, cases, and accessories designed for motorcycles, cars, cycling, running, and everyday use. This deal will enhance Quad Lock’s presence in the U.S. motorcycle market and maintain its focus on providing an exceptional consumer experience. Helmet House will distribute the full range of Quad Lock solutions to powersports retailers, covering various activities including motorcycling, cycling, and UTV.

World Sport Action has announced a new partnership with US Youth Soccer (USYS), the largest youth sporting organization in the United States with almost 2.5 million soccer players. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for both organizations as they join forces to drive real-time participant data analytics and, starting in June 2025, revolutionize soccer administration, engagement, and participation through cutting-edge technology and automation.

Catapult Group, the global leader in sports technology solutions form professional teams has announced an exclusive multi-year agreement with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Catapult will provide comprehensive athlete monitoring solutions to the world's most successful national team in FIFA's World Cup history.

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) has partnered with global talent management and activation platform VLAST, to launch a new app that connects athletes with commercial opportunities and streamlines communication across the QAS. The QAS Athlete App will provide QAS-supported athletes with access to important updates, exclusive offers from QAS partners, opportunities for paid appearances, training and education, and flexible work opportunities.

Hussey Seating Company, a global leader in spectator seating, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire select assets from Camatic Seating, an Australian-based competitor. The acquisition will be limited to Camatic’s intellectual property, trademarks, designs, and tooling on select seat products.  Camatic Seating previously was a dominant player in outdoor NFL and MLS stadium seating, completing high profile projects like the Seattle Seahawks’ Lumen Field, Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, Chicago’s Soldier Field, LA’s SoFi Stadium, Wimbledon’s All England Club, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

A new high-end health app, Compound, is promising to help men shed kilos and improve their health, with its initial cohort of 16 patients showing promising results. Compound is the fifth product from Australian telehealth provider, Eucalyptus. At AUD $995 per month for non-medicated members, or AUD $1,495 per month for patients prescribed GLP1 medications (like Ozempic, Semaglutide or Saxenda), Eucalyptus says Compound is the ultimate high-end online men’s health clinic. For the price, patients get access to testing, analysis and medial advice, supplements and coaching. 

Quantum 2032 Challenge projects will demonstrate quantum technologies that can provide innovative solutions and enhancements related to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It also encourages collaboration among quantum scientists, sports industry experts and partners. Proposals may seek funding up to $1 million and must define a project in Queensland which seeks to address challenges related to delivery of, or Australian athletes’ participation in, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, through the application of quantum technologies, specifically quantum computing, quantum sensing or quantum communications.

Australian-based Outpoint Group has confirmed dates for its 2024 US Sports Venue Tour. The 10-day Tour from 19-28 October will incorporate NFL, NBA and NHL game day experiences as well as venue and high performance center tours including US Bank Stadium – Lions v Vikings (Minneapolis), Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle), University of Washington (Seattle), Chase Center (San Francisco), SoFi Stadium - Vikings v Rams (Los Angeles), LA Chargers High Performance Centre (Los Angeles), Intuit Dome (Los Angeles), Allegiant Stadium – Chiefs v Raiders (Las Vegas), Sphere (Las Vegas) and T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas). Up to 15 places are available for key sports decision-makers and influencers.

STWS have formed a partnership with HiG Sports in Mumbai for Australia Sports Innovation Week (ASIW) 2024, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most respected sports innovation and technology experience which in 2024 is returning to Melbourne, where it had been held from 2015 to 2019. With HiG Sports, the partnership will encourage and facilitate bi-lateral trade, knowledge and investment outcomes with sport being the driver to facilitate stronger connections between India and Australia.

Centr, the brand founded by actor Chris Hemsworth that combines top-tier fitness equipment with expert guidance in fitness, food, and well-being, made a significant impact at HYROX’s inaugural Manhattan race on June 1. 5,300 athletes experienced the new Centr x HYROX competition gear, showcasing Centr’s entry into the competitive fitness space. In addition to the race, Centr announced the launch of a newly expanded commercial-grade equipment line, now available globally for gyms, studios, and HYROX affiliate partners.

Melbourne-based sports technology company Catapult Group International (ASX: CAT) has topped $US100 million ($AUD 152 million) in annual revenue for the first time, with solid growth in free cashflow helping the company deliver an underlying profit US$9.37 million in FY24. Catapult has been working alongside sports teams since 2006 providing wearable technology and video analysis that delivers key data to optimise player performance and avoid injury. It also assists clubs in recruiting and scouting for talent on the field. The technology is currently used by more than 4,000 elite sporting teams in more than 100 countries, with the business supported by a global workforce of 400.

Basketball Australia and iAthletic announced the country’s largest basketball apparel deal that will fit out athletes across all of Australian basketball for the next three years. iAthletic are Australia’s number one supplier of basketball uniforms kitting out athletes with over 350 thousand items per year and servicing over 370 teams & clients. The company have produced game wear and merchandise for Basketball Australia’s high-performance teams since 2018 and specialise in designing for variable conditions and climates. 

Sports data and visualisation company Lumin Sports has launched Lumin Strength, a strength and conditioning software. The platform for coaches and athletes includes free-form planning and periodisation, drag-and-drop programming, exercise prescription, an extensive exercise library and automatic reports. Lumin Sports is available as a standalone product or integrated with Lumin’s leading athlete management and team operations platform.

TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, today announced an exclusive partnership with AusCycling — the national sports organization responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling and riding in Australia. Under the new agreement, TrainingPeaks is now the official training and coaching software for AusCycling and the ARA Australian Cycling Team.

In response to the first periodic review of 2019’s Sports Diplomacy 2030 strategy, the Government is giving national sporting organisations and peak bodies a seat at the table, reflecting their central role in advancing Australia’s interests through sport. Under the new arrangements, a number of internationally-focused national sporting organisations and peak bodies are being invited to join a new Sports Diplomacy Consultative Group, coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This will provide a regular forum to discuss strategic and economic opportunities and risks in international sport, including upcoming events in Australia and offshore, and the ways in which government and the sport sector can work together to advance shared priorities. This group replaces the Sports Diplomacy Advisory Council, 

Intix, an independent ticketing provider for sports in Australia, has opened its newest office in New York City as it expands its global presence. The company has chosen New York City as its newest location to better serve its clientele in the US and wider region. The opening also follows a recent expansion to the UK. Intix platforms enables organisations to streamline their ticketing processes, enhance customer experiences, and drive revenue growth.

Rowing Australia has announced a strategic partnership with Sharp EIT Solutions (Sharp EIT), as they become the Official Technology Partner of Rowing Australia and the Australian Rowing Team. This collaboration signifies a significant step forward in the integration of advanced information technology within the realm of athletic performance. A critical factor for Rowing Australia in selecting an IT provider was the protection of their data and a strong focus on cyber security.

South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney has opened submissions for SXSW Sydney Pitch 2024 in October. The theme for SXSW Sydney Pitch 2024 is ‘What’s Next?’. Applications to the Sydney pitch are open to startups and founders across the following seven categories including Health, Biotech and Medtech covering health, nutrition, wellness and fitness and close 22 July.

Rugby Australia and Fanatics, a leading global digital sports platform, have today announced an exclusive partnership that will see Fanatics launch and run the official Rugby Australia online store, serving fans of Rugby in Australia across the globe. The Wallaby Shop, which is now live, offers fans worldwide a full assortment of officially-licensed Wallabies and Wallaroos products, as well as a selection of Super Rugby merchandise, including jerseys, training, headwear, fan apparel and accessories.

AusCycling have launched the AusBike Digital program with the support of Playbk Sports. Playbk Sports have been instrumental in the development of engaging content aligned with curriculum standards, empowering children aged 8-12 yrs with essential bike riding skills and knowledge in a fun and interactive manner. AusCycling is the National Sporting Organisation responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling in Australia, formed by an amalgamation of Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), BMX Australia (BMXA) and Cycling Australia (CA) and the 15 State Sporting Organisations (SSO's).

Springbok Analytics have expanded their NFL footprint with a new partnership to support the Houston Texans and their approach to personalized performance. Springbok Analytics MRI-based, AI-enabled muscle analytics technology helps sports organizations to improve training, minimize the injury burden, and improve return-to-sport decision-making. Springbok Analytics continue our work at the league level with National Football League (NFL) in the collaboration with UW Badger Athletic Performance and Australian Catholic University's SPRINT Research Centre as part of the ongoing HAMIR (hamstring injury) study, all in the name of athlete health and longevity.

The starter’s gun has been fired for procurement to begin on venues that will be used in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than A$560 million in contracts supporting more than 1,000 local jobs will be up for grabs. EOIs for tenders were released this week for the Sunshine Coast Stadium and Chandler Indoor Sports Centre and precinct works. An EOI for the Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre will go to market in August 2024 and EOIs for the Aquatic Centre at Chandler and the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre in 2025. The Australian and Queensland governments have jointly allocated funding from the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program for investment in these projects.

dentsu Sports Analytics and consumer data specialists Fonto announced the official Australian launch of SponsorshipBI, a revolutionary platform that measures a sponsorship’s true business impact. This announcement follows a successful pilot program with Cricket Australia, demonstrating the platform’s capability to provide deeper insights into the business impact of commercial partnerships in sport. SponsorshipBI is an industry-first platform that links traditional “top of funnel” brand impact metrics of sponsorship to actual transactions by fans.

Australian Catholic University has announced the launch of the new High Performance Hub. This state-of-the-art facility, available in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, is designed to enhance sport and exercise science education through cutting-edge research and personalised fitness services.

The NRL held its Magic Round in Brisbane - a full weekend of rugby matches with teams from across Australia and New Zealand. As part of the weekend, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation organised a tech showcase, highlighting 20 leading companies with applications for stadiums, fan egagement, human performance, health, inclusiveness, and other application for sport. Companies showcased included the likes of WearOptimo, Chronosoft, tagSpace, Axiom Holographics, iNSPIRETEK and GravityFit.

The Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct (M&OP) has confirmed its place as a powerhouse of Victoria’s sports, entertainment, and live events culture, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the Victorian economy and supporting over 5,800 jobs in 2022–23. An inaugural ‘Precinct-wide Social and Economic Value Study,’ has revealed the precinct’s pivotal role in shaping Melbourne’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities, delivering widespread economic benefits and supporting a dynamic ecosystem of business and sporting excellence.

AO Adventure was the number 1 visited sporting experience on Roblox in April, 3 months after the Australian Open finished. The Emirates-sponsored obstacle course and ESPN-branded tennis game had 672k visits in April and 17.7 million over its lifetime. AO Adventure continues to grow and lead Tennis Australia's strategy to make the AO the world's most accessible sports and entertainment event. 

Neo-Bionica, a joint venture between the Bionics Institute and the University of Melbourne, has secured $5 million from Breakthrough Victoria. Neo-Bionica’s expertise includes developing and commercialising AI-powered implantable and wearable medical devices designed to restore human function and smart sensors capable of intelligently monitoring human physiology.

In the wake of the WNBA's monumental growth and anticipation surrounding the upcoming 2024 season, Cipher Sports Technology Group has announced the launch of its groundbreaking WNBA picks, props, trends, and parlay products on Dimers.com.

Alta Global Group (NYSE American:MMA) an Australian pioneering technology company dedicated to transforming the landscape of martial arts and combat sports training has announced its strategic acquisition of Hype. Hype's software platform strengthens Alta's vision to convert 640 million MMA fans to participants by providing tools to the gym owner, coach, and athlete partners to not only grow their revenues, but also operate more efficiently, save costs and enhance the offerings to their members and community. This acquisition is expected to accelerate Alta's technology roadmap, bringing forward new subscription revenue opportunities to Alta.

COX, a leading Australian architectural firm, has been chosen as the Lead Design Consultant for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium in Tasmania. The new stadium in Hobart would be home to the Tasmania Football Club of the Australia Football League (AFL). COX has designed sports venues including Optus Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium, Dunedin Stadium and the redesign of the Adelaide Oval.

Australian sportstech company Komo Tech has partnered with Fanatics Events - the live and special event division of Fanatics - to provide Komo’s next-generation customer engagement platform at Fanatics’ events in the US this year. Komo, which offers a complete Customer Engagement Platform that helps brands and properties connect with their customers through gamified experiences and interactions, will work with Fanatics Events to unlock new levels of fan engagement at each stage of the fan journey through interactive and immersive experiences at several of their events. The partnership will kick off at the newly announced Fanatics Fest in NYC. Sitting at the nexus of sports fandom, culture, and collecting, Fanatics Fest NYC will bring fans across all sports to celebrate their passions under one roof at New York City’s Javits Center from 16th to 18th August.

Alta Global Group, a pioneering technology company dedicated to revolutionizing the martial arts and combat sports industry, has announced its partnership with five-time MMA world champion Conor McGregor in support of Trainalta.com. McGregor, along with his long-standing coach and Alta Co-Founder John Kavanagh, has become a shareholder of Alta Global Group as it aims to convert 640 million MMA fans into active combat sports participants globally.

The State Government of Queensland has announced a new $3.3m round of their ActiveKIT program. ActiveKIT will support the active industry, startups or small to medium businesses to develop, trial or implement new and innovative solutions that respond to the challenge; “Personalising the experience for all”; enable inclusive, social, flexible and/or commitment-free physical activity opportunities for all that helps to create a positive mindset and encourages physical activity involvement for life. Expressions of interest close 22nd May.

Prime Minister The Hon Anthony Albanese visited the AIS campus to announce the $249.7 million investment to upgrade AIS facilities to ensure they are modern and world-leading. The funding follows the recently completed Independent Review of AIS Infrastructure which recommended that the AIS Campus remains in Canberra. The funding will be focused on three facilities:

- a 192 bed multi-story and fully para-accessible accommodation building
- a large indoor Sport Dome that will provide 24/7 all-weather training facilities for track and field sports
- a new Testing and Training Centre to provide state-of-the-art equipment and support for our athletes’ development.

The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL) will be accessible to more sports fans after the League extended its partnership with ESPN, secured a new free-to-air broadcast deal with Network 10, with games to be played on its main channel, in High Definition (HD) and renewed its deal with News Corp Australia (NCA) to deliver deeper basketball coverage throughout the 2024/25 season. The League’s broadcast audience has increased by 26 per cent this season, off the back of a similar rise last season. 

Magnifi by VideoVerse announce a partnership with Linius Technologies Limited to revolutionize personalized video streaming experiences by integrating AI-driven video technology with innovative video virtualization capabilities. This collaboration introduces solutions that merge live and historical archive content, delivering automated, personalized highlights and highly tailored video streams. The joint solution was demonstrated at the recent NAB Show in Las Vegas in April 2024. 

Cipher Sports Technology Group is in the running for multiple awards at the esteemed SBC Awards North America 2024, set to be held next week at Hilton Midtown, New York City, on May 9, 2024. Cipher have been shortlisted for the 'Industry Innovation of the Year', 'Sports Affiliate of the Year' and 'Sports Data Product' for their 'Dimers' and 'Convertr' sports data, prediction and betting solutions.

News Corp Australia's sport streaming service, KommunityTV, today announced new streaming deals with Tennis Australia and the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League. KommunityTV will exclusively stream matches from Tennis Australia’s five remaining Australian junior championship events in 2024, while rugby league fans will be able to stream every game of the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships.

Applications are now open for the mid-year intake of AO StartUps – Tennis Australia’s pioneering program that enables startup companies to pilot their cutting-edge technology during the Australian summer of tennis and within Tennis Australia’s business. More than 20 companies have joined AO StartUps since its inception, providing Tennis Australia with a range of innovative new technology to pilot across verticals including participation, performance, broadcast, digital, event operations and the fan experience. AO Startups ongoing mission is to uncover the best ideas across early-stage sport tech companies and provide an incredible opportunity for them to be part of the biggest global sports and entertainment event in January. The sport and entertainment verticals of most interest in this intake include health and wellness, sustainability, Padel Tennis and fan experience. Early-stage tech companies have until 24 May 2024 to apply.