For those who don’t know it, I somehow gave birth to a Rugger at the age of 30-something. During his childhood he was on the T-Ball team, played a little Pop Warner Football, and to my horror was on the high school football team. But, nothing prepared me for the fact that as a grown-a$$ man, he decided to play rugby. That’s right this MAN who had a good job, a great life, with everything going for him decided that rugby was a good idea.
But, won’t you get hurt? I asked. The answer was always “Don’t worry we’ve got doctors on the team.” SO THERE WERE SOME DUMBA$$ DOCTORS PLAYING RUGBY TOO? Yes, there were.
But, over the past years, not only did I get used to the fact, but I also started enjoying the game. But, when I was recently invited to a rugby event that involved BALL TECHNOLOGY, I sent my rugger son to check it all out (because enjoying the game vs understanding it all was way beyond me).
In the dynamic world of sports, the integration of technology into gameplay is becoming increasingly important, and Major League Rugby recently joined that tech team with the announcement of MLR’s partnership with Gilbert and Sportable, marking a significant milestone in the league’s history, especially as it looks towards the future growth of rugby in North America. When we were growing up (I’m OLD), rugby was a game that was played in Europe. I don’t remember any teams at my schools or even seeing the sport on TV.
All that has changed which is why this collaboration is centered around the introduction of the Gilbert x Sportable Smart Ball into the MLR is a “game changer” (yeah, I took the liberty and said that). You see, this smart rugby ball represents a revolutionary step in the sport, as it has real-time data tracking, a feature that’s set to transform the game for players, coaches, referees, and fans alike.
For fans like my son and I, this is a game-changer. Imagine sitting back and watching a match, but now with an added layer of data and insights at your fingertips. This smart rugby ball can track critical metrics like the speed of passes, the hang-time and distance of kicks, and even the accuracy of throws. This kind of data will bring a new depth to the viewer’s experience, helping you understand the game on a deeper level and appreciate the skills and strategies employed by players and teams even more than we do now.
From a casual fan’s perspective, this technological advancement is not just about numbers and stats; it’s really about enriching our experience. It brings a new dimension to watching the game, whether you’re a current fan or someone who’s just starting to get into the sport. The insights provided by the smart ball can make matches more engaging and accessible, and I’m sure that their hope is that will potentially attract new fans (as well as retain those like me who already love the sport),
Plus, for MLR, this partnership is a real leap toward innovation and staying ahead of the curve. The league already stands out for outfitting its referees with microphones and providing full audio live feeds of matches. By embracing the Gilbert x Sportable Smart Ball, MLR is solidifying its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the game.
For the players, this technology is not just limited to enhancing viewer experience but more importantly extends to improving the game. Teams and coaches can use the data for strategizing and training, tailoring their approaches based on real-time performance metrics. This level of analysis was previously unavailable and can lead to a higher quality of play, benefiting the league as a whole, and hopefully one day rugby will be just as popular as football, baseball, and basketball here in the US.
For those who remember my trip to Hong Kong years ago and how we ended up there at the same time as the Hong Kong Sevens, I was excited to hear that the Rugby World Cup is set to be hosted right here in the USA in 2031, which makes initiatives like this so important. They not only help in elevating the standard of the league but also play a significant role in increasing the sport’s popularity in a country where rugby is still burgeoning.
The Gilbert x Sportable partnership is a significant step forward for Major League Rugby and a win for the fans. It promises to make matches more immersive and informative, enhancing the overall experience of the game. As a fan, it’s an exciting time to follow rugby, especially with these innovative technologies making their way onto the field.
