Case Study: UTS and Cricket NSW
Breaking Boundaries: Cricket NSW and UTS Unite for a 130kph Revolution in Female Fast Bowling
Cricket NSW and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have joined forces in a groundbreaking five-year partnership, aiming to revolutionize cricket at all levels. This collaboration focuses on research, education, and innovation, with a specific emphasis on enhancing the performance of both elite players and community cricket.
A key component of partnership is Project130, a pioneering research initiative in collaboration with UTS, dedicated to advancing female fast bowling. With the ambitious goal of breaking the 130kph barrier and making it a sustainable achievement, Project130 seeks to transition female bowlers from an average speed of 115kmh to 130kmh. This world-first research project aims to develop data predicting potential and physiology types to enhance speed and reduce injury risks.
Patrick Farhart, CNSW head of sports science and sports medicine, a crucial figure in Project130, highlights the significant speed gap between male and female fast bowlers. By delving into biomechanics, strength, and power, the project aims to identify key factors through specialized training, including scouting athletes from diverse disciplines who may have attributes suitable for cricket.
The evolving techniques in female cricket, where girls increasingly adopt techniques traditionally associated with males, are underscored by the project. Correlations with high speeds are set to pave the way for individualized and targeted training programs.
Already, players like Tayla Vlaeminck, Darcie Brown, Issy Wong, Lea Tahuhu, and Stella Campbell are pushing the boundaries of fast bowling, with Campbell reaching speeds over 120kph.
The potential success of Project130 holds the promise of transforming the landscape of female fast bowling, introducing an exciting era where higher speeds become commonplace. This initiative aligns seamlessly with partnerships broader mission, extending from player development to community engagement.
Furthermore, the collaboration between Cricket NSW and UTS extends beyond Project130, encompassing various projects like the Player Journey Intelligence Project, which utilizes the UTS Data Science Institute (DSI). The Player Journey Intelligence Project focuses on understanding player retention dynamics, and is aimed at improving talent pipelines by better understanding the factors influencing players' decisions to return to cricket, such as age, location, and performance.
The collaboration led to the development of machine learning models with around 70% accuracy in predicting whether a player is likely to stop playing cricket. Cricket NSW now uses user-friendly dashboards to explore engagement trends and predict retention levels. Scott Peterson, Principal Data Scientist at Cricket NSW, praised the tools provided by UTS DSI, emphasizing their contemporary and open-source nature. These evidence-based strategies are expected to make a significant impact on the cricket community, ensuring a seamless connection with the next generation of cricket enthusiasts.
