Even though school, footy training and social meet-ups may be a bit uncertain as rolling lockdowns continue, footy fans can get a quick fix of drills and coaching thanks to a new collaboration between Google and the AFL.
Footy Skills Lab, a free web app that features video tips from players and uses AI to track performance and gives scores, is live today and can be used by anyone with a phone, a ball and an internet connection.
Google has teamed up the AFL to create the Footy Skills Lab.
“It’s a great tool to use to add an edge, particularly for kids who are learning,” said AFLW star Tayla Harris, who’s featured in the app.
“I really like the idea of them being able to refine their skills and play games just with their phone and the footy, they don’t necessarily need anyone else.”
Also featured are Madison Prespakis, Akec Makur Chuot and AFL Wheelchair player Joanna Argaet. The app features ball handling, decision making and power (kicking and passing) drills at three intensity levels, and is designed to be as accessible as possible for people with movement, sight or hearing difficulties.
“It would upset me that one person was able to use this great piece of technology, and then the next person wasn’t. So it was really important to make sure that everyone was represented, everyone was able to use this and better themselves,” Harris said.
Melbourne’s Tayla Harris is one of the Athletes featured in the new web app.Credit:Ben Gibson/Melbourne FC
Dave Bowman, who leads Google’s Partner Innovation team, said inclusion was a key part of the app from the start.
“We’ve tried to embrace accessibility options beyond just closed captioning and audio options. So there are options, like if you’re in a wheelchair, to be able to do the drills in a slightly different way,” he said.