Sports Data Science at the QLD Murri Carnival

Let’s say you’re playing a video game, and in that game, you have a score. The higher your score, the better you’re doing, right? Now, what if I told you that running sport is like a real-life game. How would you keep score?  The answer is Data Science!

Step 1: Track Your Running

When you run, there’s data being captured: like how far you’ve run (distance) and how fast you ran (speed). Every time you run, it’s like you’re creating a new ‘score.’ The faster or farther you run, the higher your score.

Step 2: Compare Your Scores

Just like in a game where you can compare your score from one level to another, data science lets you compare your running stats. You could compare today’s run to last week’s run and see if you’ve improved. Did you run faster today than yesterday? Did you go a longer distance?

Step 3: Improve Using Data

In a video game, you might check your score to figure out how to do better next time. Data science is like that, but for real life! By tracking your running data, you can see what’s working. Maybe you run faster in the morning than in the afternoon, or maybe after a good night’s sleep. You can use that information to get better, just like leveling up in a game.

Step 4: The Cool Part – Predict the Future!

Here’s where data science gets really awesome. Imagine using all this data to predict how well you’ll run in the future. If you keep practicing, the data can tell you how much faster you might get, like knowing what your high score in a game could be before you even play!

Okay, so you play on a team, and after every game, you can see the score that tells you how the team did, right? Maybe you won or lost, but that doesn’t always tell you how you did specifically. You want to know if you’re getting better.

Step 1: Track Your Own Data

Now, data science comes in to help you figure that out. Imagine after every game, someone’s tracking everything you do: how many times you passed the ball, how fast you ran, how many tackles you made, or how long you stayed on the field. That’s your own personal data.

Step 2: Measure Your Performance

By using this data, you can measure how you personally did in that game. Did you run faster than in the last game? Did you make more passes? Data science can take all that information and show you whether your performance is improving. It’s like having your own personal score, even if your team didn’t win.

Step 3: See Your Progress Over Time

Just like in a video game where you can see if you’ve leveled up, data science helps you see if you’re getting better over time. Maybe your passes have become more accurate, or you’re running faster with each game. With data science, you don’t have to guess—you can know. It shows you exactly how you’re improving.

Step 4: Find Out What You Can Work On

Data science also shows you what you need to work on. If you’re already running fast, maybe it’s time to focus on improving your passing accuracy. The data can highlight areas where you can get even better, so you can train smarter, not just harder.

Sports Data Analyst

• What They Do: Imagine being the brains behind the team! You use data to figure out what players and teams do well or what they need to work on. You help the coach decide the best plays or strategies for winning the next game.
• Exciting Part: It’s like being the secret weapon for the team, helping them win with your smarts!

Performance Analyst

• What They Do: You track how fast or strong a player is and help them get even better. You tell them if they need to run faster or improve certain skills. It’s like being their personal improvement coach!
• Exciting Part: You help turn good players into superstars by showing them how to be their best!

Sports Statistician

• What They Do: You collect all the cool numbers from games—like tries, offloads, or metres gained – or even how fast someone ran—and make sense of them. You tell stories with the numbers that help teams and even sports fans understand the game better.
• Exciting Part: You know all the secrets about who the best players are, using numbers like a sports detective!

Sportswear Data Scientist

• What They Do: You help make awesome sports gear by using data. Imagine designing shoes that make athletes run faster or gear that helps prevent injuries!
• Exciting Part: You could help create the next super cool, high-tech sneakers worn by famous athletes!

Sports Technology Developer

• What They Do: You create gadgets or apps that athletes use to track how well they’re doing. Think of making smart watches or apps that help athletes get better at their sport!
• Exciting Part: You get to invent cool technology that athletes around the world will use to train and play better!

Sports Marketing Analyst

• What They Do: You use data to figure out what fans love most about the game. You help sports teams connect with fans and sell more tickets or cool gear by knowing what people are excited about.
• Exciting Part: You help sports teams figure out what makes their fans cheer the loudest!

Biomechanics Data Scientist

• What They Do: You study how athletes move, like how they run or jump, and use data to help them do it better and avoid getting hurt. It’s like science and sports combined!
• Exciting Part: You help athletes move like superheroes, making sure they’re faster, stronger, and safer!

Esports Data Scientist

• What They Do: Esports is video game competitions, and you use data to help pro gamers and teams play better. You figure out the best moves, strategies, or characters to use in games like Fortnite or Minecraft.
• Exciting Part: You help gamers become champions, using data to level up their skills!

Why It’s Awesome

Data science in sports is like being the person behind the scenes with all the inside information. You get to use numbers and facts to help teams win, make cool sports gear, or even create awesome apps. Plus, you’ll be helping superstars like rugby players, basketball pros, or even gamers do their best! If you love both sports and figuring things out, these jobs let you be the game-changer in real life!