Wearable technology was as much a part of the game for fans as players at the weekend’s two Guinness PRO14 Quarter Finals in Limerick and Belfast on Saturday as Fitbit kicked off their partnership with the tournament’s Final Series.
Fans attending the games had a chance to win a brand new Fitbit device as the health tech giant began to activate its new partnership.
Wearable tech is a prominent part of top-level sport and reaching out to get the fans involved is a natural consumer reach.
Every player in the Guinness PRO14 wears A GPS pack to track their performance while player microphone devices have also been worn over the past number of seasons and on the final weekend of the regular season Ospreys and Cardiff Blues players all wore specialised gumshields to help track concussion data.
Throughout the remaining two semi-finals and the Final at Celtic Park on May 25th, Fitbit and PRO14 Rugby will hold a think tank to see how they and further introduce wearable tech to the match-day experience on and off the pitch for players and fans.
“Fitbit is a natural fit with sports but there’s a lot more to our trackers and smartwatches than just counting steps,” said Briain Curtin, Marketing Director, Brand & Media, EMEA, for Fitbit said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how fans measure their heart rates during some of the tense and dramatic games ahead.”
“We’re excited about giving away some Fitbits to rugby fans and adding to what will no doubt be a very memorable Final Series.”
“Wearable tech is becoming such a big part of our lives and you can see that on the rugby pitch every weekend.,” added Dermot Rigley, Commercial Director for PRO14 Rugby.
It’s been a terrific season for the Guinness PRO14 already and we’re delighted that Fitbit will be there throughout the Final Series showing their support of the tournament and giving our fans the chance to walk away with some really cool pieces of kit.”
