Gary Neville, the battle of the iPads and Wigan as Champions

Technology is a growing influence in football. Digital advertising in stadiums, in-depth video analysis enabling managers to hone tactics, goal line technology and even the much-maligned VAR we saw during the World Cup in the summer. There is no doubt that involvement at any level of the professional game will now include large usage of tech to assist the humans to get stuff right. I would personally draw the line at wearing full referee kit in the video room though!

¿Qué?

Gary Neville, a pundit who gained significant respect for his in-depth analysis using the BBC ‘big iPad’ once famously handed out actual iPads to his Valencia players in an attempt to convey his tactical messages and instructions and to try and compensate for his lack of fluency in Spanish. That didn’t work out for Gary as we know, but his concept of delivering consistent messaging through the use of technology and eLearning to ensure clarity, continuity and improvement has had far better results than his ill-fated La Liga adventure with Els Taronges.

North London Soap

With the Football League and Premier League now both in full flight and as the competition hots up there is always speculation over who will be the big winners and losers though the season. Drama and surprises are guaranteed. Leicester winning the Premier League in 2015-16 season, the incredible haul of 34 league goals from the unfancied Mo Salah last term or the more comical but less well known 2012 soap opera that was Edgar Davids as manager of Barnet, naming himself captain in the starting line-up and ending up relegated on the final day of the season!

Lactics Lead the League

In a crazy world where inconsistency reigns supreme its refreshing to see some clubs working very hard to make consistency an integral part of their charter in areas where it has the most positive effect. In November 2017 Wigan Athletic were the first club in the EFL to achieve the Premier League Equality Standard, Intermediate Level. The three levels being preliminary, intermediate and advanced. So, what does that mean? It means recognition that Wigan are committed to promoting equality and diversity not only within their playing and coaching staff and operations, but also in their community work and throughout the DW Stadium both on and off matchdays. Equality champions elect.

Back to those iPads

Whatever your role in a club of any type, be it sports, social or workplace you’re likely to interact with a wide range of people of all ages and different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. These people make up the rich mix that is our society today.

The work First Media have done with the English Football League to produce bespoke eLearning helps the people in member clubs to understand what equality, inclusion and diversity really mean, as well as discrimination, bullying, harassment, victimisation and ‘banter’. It’s a vital step not only to combat all of the aforementioned but also positively assist in promoting an inclusive environment.

To find out more about how to introduce this kind of training to your organisation please give me a call on 01507 607783 or drop me an email, I’d love to talk to you.