Samsung Team Up With University
Samsung Electronics is teaming up with sports science experts to monitor the 22 players still in the running for their nationwide Win A Pro Contract football competition, after agreeing a partnership with South Solent University.
The player analysis – using Samsung’s latest technology – will be run by Dr Stewart Bruce-Low and his research team from Southampton Solent University, who currently work with Premier League and Football League clubs and players.
Samsung’s Win A Pro Contract this year attracted entries from nearly 6,000 amateur players – all chasing the chance of turning professional at either Swindon Town FC or Leyton Orient FC. The 22 players through to the semi-finals will undergo a number of assessments including cardio, body fat, sprint and recovery testing.
Their performances in the semi-final will be filmed using Samsung equipment, and analysis fed ‘real time’ into Samsung tablets by the sports scientists. This detailed information stream will be supplied to Swindon Town manager Paolo Di Canio and Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade to help them select their eventual winners.
Samsung sponsorship director Martin Howard said: ‘We’re delighted to announce this partnership with Southampton Solent University. With the help of our technology the players will experience first-hand the way the work of the sports scientist aids professional sportsmen and women become faster, stronger and fitter. This is a great opportunity for the amateur footballers in the competition. And for the lucky two who win a professional contract, it will be a key insight into what awaits them in their new careers.’
Dr Bruce-Low added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a brand that supports sport in so many ways. Their Win a Pro Contract competition is just another example. It’s an honour to help these aspiring footballers by using the science we’ve developed with squads from the Premier League.’
The two winning players will sign a year-long professional playing contract next January – one at Swindon, and one at Orient.
The fitness testing, as well as the players’ progress through regional skills trials to the final, will be screened on Sky Sports in three 30-minute programmes to be broadcast in the new year.
