Monday 17th June 2024 – Podium Analytics is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Northampton Saints that sees the implementation of SportSmart at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, reinforcing the Club’s commitment to the duty of care for all players.

The SportSmart programme is designed to prioritise player welfare and will be implemented across the entire player pathway at Saints. This partnership signifies the second premiership rugby union team choosing to integrate SportSmart in the pathway system, following its successful implementation at Gloucester Rugby.

"We are delighted to partner with Northampton Saints to further enhance player welfare within the Club," said Stephen Jones, COO at Podium Analytics. "This collaboration showcases Northampton's continued investment in the duty of care for its players, ensuring their holistic development and wellbeing."

SportSmart will provide Northampton Saints with comprehensive insights and analysis, supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of all players and helping to manage injury and drive optimal performance outcomes at every stage of the player pathway.

The successful implementation of SportSmart at Gloucester Rugby has already demonstrated tangible benefits, and Saints are eager to replicate these achievements, further solidifying their position as a Club that prioritises the wellbeing of its players in rugby.

"We are excited to implement the SportSmart programme across the entire player pathway at Northampton Saints," said Mark Hopley, Head of Academy at Northampton Saints. "By partnering with SportSmart, we are showcasing our commitment to the duty of care for all our rugby players in the pathway, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive both on and off the field."

In addition to the partnership with Northampton Saints, Podium Analytics aims to raise awareness and drive uptake of the SportSmart and MySportSmart programme across the network of schools, clubs and parents in the Northampton area, hoping to create an integrated approach to injury management. This collaborative effort would help establish a new industry approach to player wellbeing.

Stephen Jones, further commented: “We are dedicated to raising awareness of the SportSmart and MySportSmart programmes, driving their adoption among clubs, schools and parents in the Northampton area. By working together with we can look to ensure that athletes in the region receive the highest level of care and support, setting them up for long-term success."

ENDS

Media contact

Lucy Humble, Head of Communications – lucy.humble@podiumanalytics.org

About Podium Analytics

Podium Analytics is an NGO, registered as a charity (England, Wales and Scotland) with a vision to create a world with more sport and less injury. Founded by Sir Ron Dennis CBE, its mission is to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of sports injury, with a focus on youth and grassroot sport. Podium’s team is made up of hand-picked specialists with proven expertise in business, academia, science, technology and sport, who share in a sense of responsibility for shaping a safer legacy for sport.

SportSmart is the free schools and clubs programme from Podium Analytics, which has been developed to support the on-the-ground needs of PE teachers and sports coaches. The programme includes tools, educational information and insights to prevent, monitor and manage injury – all while driving greater understanding of grassroots sport and trialling new protocols in the real world.

podiumanalytics.org

About Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints is one of Europe’s leading rugby clubs, competing at the highest level in England – the Gallagher Premiership – and in the Investec Champions Cup. Saints’ home ground is cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, which can hold 15,000 supporters. Northampton Saints were champions of the 2024 Premiership, has reached the semi-finals of the in four of the last six seasons, and the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in 2024. 

Northampton’s Academy system is widely regarded as one of the finest in rugby, with over 70% of the current first-team squad coming through the set-up at Saints – including England internationals Alex Mitchell, George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Coles and Tommy Freeman. On non-matchdays, the stadium is home to a thriving conference and events business, and also houses the offices, changing, training and medical facilities for the Club’s rugby players, coaches and staff.

northamptonsaints.co.uk