How my Journey into Sports Analysis Developed, and Shaped my Thinking
The Early Years (1998-2002)
The Working Day that Never Ends.
This series of posts encapsulates my journey throughout more than 25 years in Sports Performance Analysis. I have been fortunate enough to work at the highest level in South Africa, contributing to both men's and women's teams across various team sports. Despite these accolades, my practices are self-taught and influenced by resources gathered from attending international conferences.
I have included my academic experiences to showcase the opportunities that arose from my research, rather than merely emphasizing the necessity of obtaining qualifications to become an analyst. For me, this journey has always centered around acquiring knowledge to enhance the support I can provide to athletes, coaches, and administrators. This commitment was further reinforced when I began the Doctorate of Professional Practice in Sport [DProf Sport] program at Leeds Beckett University in the UK.
This work is dedicated to understanding the needs of sports teams in South Africa regarding analysis, allowing for the development of educational and training programs tailored to our specific requirements. By combining personal reflection with insights from industry professionals, I aim to lay the groundwork for evidence-based practices that equip the next generation of analysts with both technical and social skills relevant to South Africa's sporting landscape. I hope that this series of posts conveys my experiences and insights gained over a two-decade career in elite sports.