PSA team up with interactiveSQUASH to bring live feeds into clubs

By SEAN REUTHE

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced that they are collaborating with Munich-based company interactiveSQUASH to stream live coverage and VOD content from all tournaments shown on SQUASHTV – the broadcast arm of the PSA – directly to interactiveSQUASH’s smart courts worldwide.

Coverage from the world’s biggest squash tournaments will be streamed on the front wall of interactiveSQUASH’s innovative smart courts via the implementation of a SQUASHTV application which, when activated, will give the user access to the stream.

The fully-integrated application will enable all squash clubs in possession of an interactiveSQUASH court to utilise their system to project matches and ensure squash fans catch the all the action from the PSA Tour. To be launched during the 2018-19 season, this feature will be made available with a free automatic update to interactiveSQUASH courts worldwide

The PSA and interactiveSQUASH have already collaborated on the development of the ‘MoTrack’ system, which allows for real-time analysis of player and ball behaviour, while a fully interactive front wall was used during June’s ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals to display player stats, replays, entertaining games, visual effects and sponsor’s content and branding.

This new feature is the latest example of the PSA adopting new technologies to improve the presentation and broadcast potential of the sport, with the association recently agreeing on a deal with Sports Data Labs which will see squash become the first professional sport ever to make in-game physiological data assets available for commercialisation.

“Our relationship with interactiveSQUASH has enabled us to illustrate just how explosive squash is while simultaneously allowing us to prove the incredible fitness of our athletes through a pioneering statistical tracking system which we successfully trialled last season,” said PSA COO Lee Beachill.

“We are excited to explore that relationship further and, through the use of interactiveSQUASH’s innovative smart courts, we will be able to target club players and convert them into followers of the professional game.

“The PSA have made significant strides in terms of broadcasting and athlete data capture over the past 12 months and we remain committed to taking advantage of the latest cutting-edge technology to ensure that squash is at the forefront of innovation.”

interactiveSQUASH founder Markos Aristides Kern said: “With the large number of new players that our invention brings to the sport, it is very important for us to also convert some into professional athletes of the sport. This new feature not only allows children and other players to watch the professionals perform, but also makes it much easier for clubs to organise events around the matches and tournaments.

“Together, this all leads to a stronger community and participation within clubs and a source of inspiration for the next generation of players.”

About interactiveSQUASH

interactiveSQUASH is a completely new way to play a classic racket sport. Immersive projection technology combined with exciting gameplay transforms squash into an unparalleled sports experience.

interactiveSQUASH is owned by Fun With Balls, a German company based in Munich. Fun With Balls specialise in sports tech and creating new active experiences based on existing court infrastructure .

Article by SEAN REUTHE (PSA PR and Media Manager). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.

Pictures courtesy of PSA and interactiveSQUASH