Newry based performance data experts, STATSports, has announced the creation of 237 new jobs over the next three years as part of the company’s plans to build on its global success.
Founded ten years ago by Alan Clarke and Sean O’Connor, STATSports has become the world’s leading GPS player tracking company, providing player analysis system for elite sports teams around the globe – including a number of leading clubs in the English Premier League, as well as the Brazil, Portugal, Germany and Belgium football associations, Irish Rugby, the GAA, the NBA in America and, in March this year, they announced a £1billion deal with the US soccer Federation.
The performance monitoring provider also has offices in Ireland, London, Chicago and Florida in addition to their headquarters in Drumalane Mill in Newry. 211 jobs are set to be created in Newry, with an additional 26 in their other offices.
STATSports is also making a multi-million-pound investment in Research and Development and staff training, thanks to a £4 million boost by Invest Northern Ireland. 92 of the new jobs are already in place in Newry and recruitment is well underway for the remaining positions, which include roles in HR, Sports Science, Sales, Research and Development, Finance and marketing.
Speaking at the announcement of the new jobs last week, CEO and Co-Founder of STATSports, Alan Clarke said,
“This is a hugely exciting time for us at STATSports as we embark on the next stage of our journey.
“We have already established our performance monitoring technology with some of the biggest and best known sporting organisations in the world and this investment will allow us to expand our reach even further in both the elite and everyday field sports sector.
“Our staff are highly skilled and incredibly knowledgeable about the sports performance monitoring industry and we will be replicating that with the additional hires. The R&D assistance will also allow us to keep evolving our cutting-edge technology.’
Welcoming the news, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP, who attended last week’s announcement, said she was “delighted to support the announcement of 211 new jobs in Newry, which will generate over £7 million annually in additional salaries.”
“STATSports is an award winning tech business which has a fast-growing reach across the world and an outstanding reputation as a leading pioneer of cutting-edge sport technology.
“It is fantastic to see a significant R&D investment of £5.5m which will also create 26 R&D roles for the business. This is brilliant news for Newry and Northern Ireland as a whole.
“Once again, local businesses are making a huge impact on a global scale, with exceptional talent and world-class innovation.”
Invest NI’s Executive Director of Business and Sector Development, Jeremy Fitch said Invest NI is “proud and delighted to be supporting such an innovative and fast moving company to scale so significantly, securing this major investment in the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council area.”
Mr Clarke thanked Invest NI for “its invaluable support in helping propel our business to the next stage of its development. Its willingness to understand the company and align support with our plans has been crucial to our growth and will enable us to expand the business here in Newry.”