GAA PA Seminar 2019, what did we learn in Carlow.

The third annual GAA Performance Analysis Seminar in Carlow IT, was an outstanding day of knowledge sharing. All involved in the organization of what is fast becoming a can't miss date in analyst's diaries deserve massive plaudits. None more so than Johnny Bradley and Denise Martin who have been driving forces behind the GAA PA Community of Practice. It's taken me a week to digest all my notes, and compile my key learnings to share in this post so please enjoy.

I was delighted to attend the 2019 GAA PA Seminar

All about Insights 

A key theme of the day was how we as analysts can add value to the team's we work with. Despite a perception, analysts do so much more than just counting numbers. With a code specific session dedicated to insights, analysts shared various insights from across all their experiences. Club and intercounty analysts exchanges stories of how they identified insights, how they shared these with the management and players and ultimately how these insights contributed to the team. We were able to see that some of these came from the eye test, some came from noticing patterns. While it was interesting to listen to others' learnings what was most intriguing was listening to how we applied our insights. We learned how teams utilised their performance analysts and how they can contribute to the success of teams.

Tag More not less 

Another discussion point which came up quite a lot in more casual discussions surrounded data capture. I was lucky to get chatting to several analysts who were pursuing Masters and PHD’s or had completed them. There was a feeling among analysts that despite it being harder we are better off to tag more information than less. Ultimately the data needs to be accurate but the more information provides larger data sets to work with that and could be potentially used in academic research. Additionally in a practical sense analyst don’t have to share every single piece of data collected to players and coaches. It may be a case that the management only want to know about certain KPI's. However, if the question is ever asked, have you ever looked at something you don't normally display on reports, you might have the data required. You might want to look into something that extra KPI’s would contextualise. All in all, you’d be better served to collect more data and not use it all rather than collecting less and then having to go back looking for something you might not have been tracking in the first place. 

Sustainability Concerns

UCD’s Dr. Denise Mc Grath and her team had been conducting some research into the GAA Performance Analyst community. At the seminar, she presented some of her initial findings. These findings were appreciated by the analysts present which included their passion, and how they acknowledged barriers to the role were coming down. However, one startling finding that led to everyone in attendance taking a moment to reflect was around sustainability.

Sustainability is a concern for the PA Community

It was noted that analysts are put under high pressure and high demands both in relation to data collection and analysis. This may be stemming from others involved in teams not fully understanding the role of an analyst and as a result not necessarily appreciating the workload they often have to deal with. Some analysts in attendance even admitted to spending as much time on their analysis role as their full-time job. All together the time and cost implications indicate that performance analysis is not sustainable in the long run for analysts who may require further support from the teams they work with.

Workflow, Workflow, Workflow

 The entire after lunch session was dedicated to analysts' workflow. Several experienced analysts shared their tips, tricks and workflow for live and postgame analysis, GPS analysis and videoing games. Everything from pen and paper to some of the most advanced technologies were discussed. We learned how other analyst had improvised when the needed to. This afternoon session consisting of short talks and time afterwards for everyone to chat with the speakers demonstrated the importance workflow for an analyst at all levels. Following the burnout discussion and other insights that Dr. McGrath had shared earlier, this workflow workshop was perfect for analysts. The demos helped analysts identify how they could potentially improve their processes and give more time to value-adding activities such as analysis, team and individual feedback over the activities such as data collection which despite being as important, adds less value. We learned by comparing workflows and sharing our knowledge, how to make our workflow more effective, more efficient and in some cases automate it.  

Just Ask

Despite all the insight, all the learning that took place the biggest take away for most analysts was on the day, if you have a question, a concern, an idea that needs a second set of eyes to review… just ask. The GAA Performance Analysis Community of Practice is an outstanding example of what a should be COP.

The growing COP is reflected in the growing number of analysts completing the GAA PA Accreditation

If you have a question, the odds are that someone else has had the same question before. If you need help, even a game covered there is a community there to help you. Everyone was willing to share their ideas and insights in Carlow something often taboo in sporting circles when teams want to keep their knowledge to themselves in fear of somebody else having it. The growing COP is supportive of every member. The knowledge sharing is a massive part of the community because ultimately the more knowledge the better everyone can support their teams and develop as analysts. 

Overall the 2019 GAA PA Seminar was a fantastic day for everyone in attendance and I for one, am already looking forward to 2020's seminar.