Stats Perform, a leader in sports data and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, announced a new three-year agreement with The Football Association, enabling the company to become the Official Data Provider of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The agreement extends a relationship that began eleven years ago and will generate advanced Opta Analytics insight into every match in the top tier, including metrics such as Expected Goals, Expected Assists, and Defensive Coverage.
Alex Rice, Stats Perform Chief Rights Officer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have extended our relationship with The FA, which has culminated in Stats Perform becoming the Official Data Provider of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. In recent years, we have seen the profile of the women’s game grow significantly and we will be on hand to deliver detailed insights, derived from AI, on the league’s standout performers. I am looking forward to working closely with The FA in helping them achieve their key goals in developing women’s football, both on and off the field, for the next three years.”
Aside from providing fans with insight into the Barclays FA Women’s Super League matches, Opta data is also being used in several digital features on the league’s official website, allowing fans to access performance data on players. As well as having access to editorial packs for all Barclays FA WSL fixtures, the FA’s Media Team will be able to obtain direct access to Stats Perform’s editorial and research staff, who will be able to provide insight to enhance fan engagement. As well, Stats Perform will increase data collection for other women’s leagues and competitions.
Kathryn Swarbrick, Director of Marketing and Commercial at The Football Association, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our long-term relationship with Stats Perform as we head into the biggest Barclays FA Women’s Super League season ever. The women’s game continues to make strides in the right direction and having a recognized and respected data partner is another sign of the professionalism of our game and demonstrates that we want to continue setting the bar higher.”
The FA will also continue to utilize Stats Perform’s Opta data to support the analysis of upcoming opposition to determine the performance of England international players, as well as the extended Barclays FA WSL support.