AFL Interchange Tracking App Front-End Development

About Client

Our client is a long-standing firm operating for over 20 years within the sports, broadcasting, and media industries within Australia. They provide data-driven statistics on live performances using progressive technologies for many sports including netball, AFL, golf, horse racing and betting. As part of their legacy, the organisation has covered over 24,000 unique matches in the Australian and Asian continent.

Client's Requirement

The Australian Football League (AFL) is the only fully professional competition for Australian Football. In this sport, interchange players are the official position given to team members who are selected to be substitutes of on-field players who withdraw during the course of the match. Generally, there are 4 interchange players and a maximum of 75 interchanges can occur within one game.

The client wanted to create an iPad web application that would help the interchange officer to track such interchanges during live matches to make sure the team is adhering to the rules. The application should also help record interchanges between on-field and bench players during special instances such as an injury, concussions, etc.

Moreover, our client has several on-going statistical analysis software projects. Thus, the customer was seeking external assistance from an augmented team with a diverse skillset to help their projects move forward. In particular, they require individuals that are skilled in front-end development, quality assurance and mobile application development who can manage deadlines effectively.

Our Solution

In addressing the challenges faced by our team during the development of the AFL interchange app, we devised a comprehensive strategy aimed at meeting deadlines while ensuring the functionality and performance of the application.

1. Integration with Physical AFL Clock: To synchronise the app with the physical AFL clock, we connected it to a signal R hub and seamlessly integrated the game clock with our web application. While initially utilising a demo clock for testing, which led to functionality issues during production, we swiftly resolved these challenges by refining our approach and integrating directly with the physical clock.

2. Testing and Quality Assurance: Testing the application's performance posed a significant challenge due to the inability to add test data through existing APIs. To overcome this hurdle, our team developed mock APIs to simulate real-world scenarios and thoroughly examine performance metrics. Additionally, given the lengthy duration of AFL matches, we optimised our testing process by utilising each match round, approximately 2 hours long, to conduct comprehensive quality assurance checks.

3. Agile Development Approach: Recognising the importance of meeting deadlines without compromising quality, we adopted an agile development methodology. Despite the backend APIs being incomplete, we focused on frontend development, continuously implementing user stories and iteratively refining features as backend functionalities became available.

4. Progressive Web Application (PWA) Implementation: To enhance the application's accessibility and usability, we proposed the development of a Progressive Web Application (PWA). This approach allows the app to function seamlessly across various devices and platforms, including offline usage. Given the unpredictability of internet connectivity during live games, a PWA ensures uninterrupted access to critical features, providing a consistent user experience regardless of the environment.

Results and Impact

Our strategic approach and innovative solutions yielded significant results and had a profound impact on the client's operations and objectives:

1. Accelerated Development Timeline: Despite the complexity of the project and tight deadlines, we completed the work equivalent to a 5-to-6-month project within a condensed timeframe of just 3 months. This accelerated development timeline allowed the client to deploy the application well ahead of schedule, ensuring its readiness for the AFL championships.

2. Positive Client Feedback: The client's response to our work was overwhelmingly positive, emphasising the team's exceptional work ethic, expertise, and collaborative approach. This feedback not only validated our capabilities but also strengthened the client's confidence in their ability to deliver high-quality solutions efficiently.

3. Ongoing Collaboration: The success of the initial project fostered an ongoing collaboration between Swivel Tech and the client, extending over two years. This long-term partnership speaks to the trust and satisfaction established during the initial engagement, laying the foundation for continued collaboration and future projects.

4. Expanded Scope of Work: As a testament to the quality of our deliverables and value provided, the client expanded the scope of work to include both front-end and back-end development. This expansion is a testament to our client's confidence in Swivel Tech. It shows they value our expertise and want us to bring it to the table across multiple aspects of their projects.

5. Dynamic Work Environment: By augmenting the client's team with diverse talents, Swivel Tech facilitated a dynamic work environment capable of tackling ambitious tech projects across various sports disciplines. This collaborative environment enabled seamless integration of Swivel Tech's expertise with the client's internal teams, driving innovation and efficiency in project execution.

Overall, our contributions had a transformative impact on the client's operations, enhancing their technological capabilities, accelerating project timelines, and fostering a collaborative and dynamic work culture. This success solidified Swivel Tech's reputation as a trusted partner capable of delivering innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of clients in the sports technology landscape.