Harlequins Joins Forces With Catapult

Premiership Rugby club Harlequins has strengthened its partnership with performance analytics organisation, Catapult, to track and improve player performance.

As part of the expanded deal, the London-based club will be using 52 S5s wearable devices, which fit into the back of the club’s playing jerseys, enabling coaches and players to dissect data during and after performances.

Catapult’s wearable device contains sensors that collect data from fitness and skill levels, to specific training techniques and tactical performance, helping coaches assess risk of injury, and progress of rehabilitation.

Harlequins began training with Catapult technology a few years ago, with new technology being brought in at the beginning of the current pre-season campaign. 

Tom Batchelor, head of sport science, Harlequins, said: “We are really excited to expand our relationship with Catapult. Having used their services for a number of years we were keen to develop our relationship with them further. We used the data on a daily basis to review the workload of the players to guide our approach to their physical preparation. We value our relationship with Catapult and hope that it will continue to grow, with the way technology and our understanding of the data is developing I can only see this playing a larger and larger part in the way we go about our work.”

Curt Taylor, head of UK sales, commented: “We are delighted to be furthering our partnership with such a talented team in Harlequins. Our purpose is to build better athletes, and I believe Catapult’s technology of scientifically-validated metrics and cutting-edge software services will make the difference for them. I look forward to sharing in the team’s success at the end of the season.”

Earlier this year, Catapult was presented with the Cutting Edge Sport Award for its partnership with the ECB at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2017.