The BTEC Sport Science group recently enjoyed an exciting and highly valuable visit from Catapult, a world‑leading company in sports performance technology. Catapult’s innovations including wearable athlete‑monitoring systems, GPS trackers, video analysis tools and advanced performance analytics, are used by more than 5,000 elite teams worldwide, spanning the Premier League, NFL, NBA, Formula 1 and many other major sports.
This visit offered our boys a rare opportunity to experience first-hand how cutting‑edge performance data is captured, analysed and applied at the very highest levels of sport. For the boys, it brought their BTEC Sport Science curriculum to life and ignited interest in the growing fields of performance analysis and sports science.
Hands‑on workshops
Led by Hannah from Catapult, the boys took part in three practical sessions, each offering a deep dive into professional‑level performance monitoring:
- Squat and Bench Press Analysis
Using Catapult’s performance‑tracking tools, boys measured rep speed and examined fatigue indicators. This helped them understand how data informs the structure and progression of strength‑training programmes.
- Top Speed and Acceleration Testing
The boys explored how GPS devices and integrated sensors gather precise data on speed and acceleration, metrics used daily across elite sport to assess athletic capabilities and monitor physical development.
- Applying Data in a Game Setting
In the final workshop, boys wore Catapult GPS units during match play. They later analysed their own performance data, including distance covered, top speed, number of sprints and match‑intensity profiles mirroring exactly what happens in professional environments. The boys were fully engaged throughout, impressed by both the accuracy of the technology and the depth of insight it provided.
Mr Smith, Head of Academic PE, reflected on the impact of the experience, saying, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the boys to work with a leading company in performance analysis. To see what is learnt in the classroom being used out on the sports pitches at top level was really inspiring, and the prospect of a career in performance analysis will definitely appeal to many of our boys.”
