GFA, Matao secure partnership with Fitogether EPTS

[February 10, 2021 – Harmon, Guam] With a greater emphasis on the usage of technology to boost player performance on the pitch, Guam Football Association recently partnered with Korea Republic-based company Fitogether, named as the official Electronic Performance and Tracking System (EPTS) partner of the Matao, Guam National Team.

“On behalf of Guam Football Association, I’m very happy that we’ve taken further steps in utilizing technology available for the benefit of our athletes and coaches through this partnership,” said Tino San Gil, GFA President. “From obtaining funds to construct a fitness center at the National Training Center, the recent hiring of Pavel Gubenko as a full time High Performance Coach, to further investment in EPTS technology, among other initiatives, we aim to provide as many resources and tools to help our athletes and coaches succeed.”

According to the FIFA Web Site, OhCoach devices provided by Fitogether are currently FIFA-Quality certified from Jan. 23, 2020 to Jan. 23, 2022. Its products were tested at Victoria University out of Melbourne, Australia.

“We are more than happy to be a part of the journey Guam FA is taking,” said Jinsung Yoon, CEO of Fitogether. “We believe that precise information and sports technology can contribute to the development of football itself. Without a doubt, Guam FA and Fitogether will both benefit from, and grow together based on this agreement.”

Dodd

Matao Head Coach Karl Dodd welcomes the addition of the EPTS units, also known as GPS units, for the team.

“The use of GPS units for training allows us to prescribe a more specific training load for each individual player, subsequently reducing the risk of injury,” Dodd said. “This is all part of the continual improvement philosophy we incorporate in the national teams. Being able to partner with Fitogether allows us to increase our professionalism and have players available to train on a regular basis.”

Through the partnership, GFA received 36 cell units, 36 Fitogether vests, one OhCoach dock, and access to its analytics platform. Cell units, roughly about 1.5 inches by 2.5 inches in size, are charged and assigned to individual players. The units are placed into a back compartment of the Fitogether vests and worn during training sessions and during official matches. Each unit charge allows for as many as eight hours of data tracking and operable in temperatures from negative four degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The cell unit’s motion sensor collects data using a 3D accelerometer, gyrometer, and magnetometer (100 Hz), according to the Fitogether Web site.

“With COVID-19 spreading all over the world, the importance of taking care of the players comes in as the most important feature more than ever,” said Taeryung Kim, Director of Fitogether. “With the usage of EPTS devices, teams can better evaluate the players’ performance, even preventing injuries that might occur in the future.”

Key metrics of the system include Fitness Management of player readiness while supporting periodization, Performance Evaluation of explosiveness and endurance, and Tactical Analysis based an 18-zone map on a football pitch and interactional movement, the Fitogether Web site states.

“The GPS system allows us to get clear information with which we can manage the load and track the progress of our athletes,” said Pavel Gubenko, GFA High Performance Coach. “We can also compare the parameters of our athletes with athletes from other countries.”

Fitogether boasts of over 170 clients worldwide, including more than 50 in Europe. Among the clients in Asia are the K-League, Korea Republic’s professional football league, K-League Junior, the Uzbekistan Professional Football League, the Singapore Premier League, Football Association of Malaysia, and now, Guam Football Association.

In an announcement by Fitogether, the company was the first in Asia and the fourth in the world to be certified by FIFA and in 2020, held the best score in accuracy among all EPTS providers participating in the FIFA Quality Programme. Fitogether partnered with the K-League in 2019, with its analytics utilized by 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai and 2020 K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai, eight-time winners of the professional league.

Ulsan Hyundai won twice in nine appearances and Jeonbuk Hyundai won twice in 13 appearances at the AFC Champions League.