The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) recently trained about 70 coaches and football professionals in GPS tracking technology, a system widely used by professional football clubs to monitor players' physical performance. The two-day workshop, held on October 29 and 30 at the FERWAFA Hotel in Remera, aimed to strengthen the use of sports science in coaching. The technology allows coaches to collect data on players' movements during training, including distance covered, running speed, sprints, and acceleration.
The GPS tracking technology has become a crucial tool in professional football, with several leading clubs and national teams already using such systems. In England, Premier League clubs use wearable GPS devices supplied by companies like STATSports to monitor players and inform training decisions. FIFA, football's world governing body, has also evaluated electronic performance-tracking systems to assess their accuracy and reliability as their use expands across the sport.
The workshop, facilitated by four experts, including Claudio Altieri, the Amavubi national team's performance specialist, and GPS specialists Theo Le Floch and Andrew Howit, aimed to help coaches, fitness specialists, and other football professionals understand how to interpret performance data and apply it to player preparation. The sessions combined classroom instruction with practical exercises on the pitch, demonstrating StatSports devices used by football teams internationally.
During the workshop, participants learned how GPS devices work, what performance indicators they provide, and how coaches can use the information to inform training decisions. The programme included a practical demonstration of the StatSports system at Muvandimwe 12 FC. The next step will be to translate the training into routine practice, enabling coaches to use performance data alongside technical assessments, medical information, and observations to improve player development and team preparation.
FERWAFA interim president Claudine Gasarabwe and national team coach Stephen Constantine expressed their commitment to continuing the training sessions in collaboration with other institutions. Claudio Altieri, who organised the workshop, announced plans for another session next year to help physical performance coaches working with clubs across Rwanda develop their skills. Constantine also mentioned that participants who benefited from the training could have opportunities to work with Rwanda's national teams at different levels.
The use of GPS tracking technology in football is part of a wider shift towards data-driven performance analysis in the sport. By leveraging this technology, coaches and sports scientists can assess players' physical workloads, adjust training intensity, and manage fatigue and injury risks more effectively. The training provided by FERWAFA is expected to enhance the performance of Rwandan football teams and improve player development.
The successful implementation of GPS tracking technology in Rwandan football is expected to have a positive impact on the country's football teams. With the knowledge and skills acquired during the workshop, coaches and professionals can now apply data-driven insights to improve player performance and team preparation. FERWAFA's initiative is a significant step towards modernising Rwandan football and enhancing its competitiveness in the region.
Key points
- FERWAFA trains 70 coaches and professionals in GPS tracking technology to enhance player performance and team preparation.
- The technology allows coaches to collect data on players' movements during training, including distance covered, running speed, sprints, and acceleration.
- The training is part of FERWAFA's efforts to strengthen the use of sports science in coaching and improve the performance of Rwandan football teams.
