Summary:

What was the situation?

  • The University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) sports department runs a growing sports program
  • The department has a clear objective to grow the sports program and ensure that resources were being allocated to the right sports to ultimately enrich the student experience 
  • Growing the program as efficiently as possible was critical and there was clear recognition that technology would play an important role 

What was the problem?

  • Challenges in managing such a varied sports program were not being solved by existing software
  • The lack of modern features in previous technology hindered event coordination, competition management, communication and student engagement.
  • Complicated registration processes, inadequate data capture and limited competition management suitable for multi-sports did not enable the growth potential of the sports program

What was the action?:

  • Reviewed potential solutions and partnered with Assemble Sports to modernise operations and boost engagement.
  • Transitioned to Assemble Sports' platform, streamlining processes and eliminating system complexities.
  • Collaborated to meet some of the university's unique needs.

And the result…:

  • A 40% increase in student participation in the first semester using the platform.
  • The user-friendly interface and enhanced engagement features of the Assemble platform improved the programs exposure and student involvement - enabled by integrated live scoring and engaging website widgets
  • Attendance tracking and reporting features supported data-driven decision-making on which sports are performing and delivering a return on investment to the University.

‍

"The transformation that has come from partnering with Assemble Sports at the University of Tasmania has been truly remarkable. Their platform addressed our previous challenges with multiple disjointed systems, offering a unified and user-friendly experience. Their adaptability and commitment to customisation stood out, fostering a partnership that transformed our sports management, leading to increased student engagement, streamlined processes, and data-driven decision-making."

- Anthony Jusup, Sport Operations Manager, University of Tasmania

‍

Introduction:

The University of Tasmania's (“UTAS”) sports department, like many Universities, has its fair share of hurdles to overcome in the dynamic world of university sports management. In needing to manage such a variety of social sports programs, the use of technology was not serving them sufficiently, leading to disparate systems and disjointed processes just adding to the administrative burden.  The ability to efficiently coordinate events, manage rosters, communicate schedules and results was proving a growing challenge. 

‍

Not only did this add administrative burden but it also prevented further engagement of students who wished to participate in university sport.   Without a simple registration process, availability of features to support live scoring and engaging match stats there was a missed opportunity in growing the sports program. 

‍

‍

Determined to find a solution, the department engaged Assemble Sports to transform its operations and boost student involvement. This case study will explore the successful partnership that tackled these obstacles head-on, modernising the university's sports management into a program that prioritises efficiency and student engagement.

‍

Challenges with Previous Platforms:

When the newly appointed sports manager assumed responsibilities at UTAS, the limitations of current sports management solutions were immediately apparent. The existing systems for organising events, managing schedules, facilitating communication, and handling payments were disjointed and hindering smooth operations. The platform's outdated design lacked the modern, user-friendly features that are expected today, such as real-time scoring and interactive communication. Consequently, the sports program was not growing at the rate the University had targeted,  nor was there clear data to assess which sports were performing and attracting students.

‍

Switching Platforms:

Whilst attempting to address the challenges of their current sports management platform, the sports department at UTAS faced a decision regarding a potential switch to a new system. The idea of transitioning to a different platform sparked reservations, as they considered potential disruptions to current workflows and the challenges typically encountered in implementing change within a large institution. 

‍

However, upon meeting with Assemble Sports, this initial connection marked the beginning of a dialogue that would ultimately ease many of the department's concerns. Assemble Sports was able to showcase its comprehensive capabilities, from user-friendly interfaces to extensive dashboards and reports, the university’s hesitations began to transform into consideration of the possibilities that the platform opened up for them in growing the sports program.

‍

“I appreciated the insights we could gain, understanding competition trends and student engagement, and the ability to track and analyse that data. The platform's features were impressive, addressing aspects that were previously lacking."

‍

Joining Assemble Sports - Initial Relations and Key Differences:

When UTAS decided to team up with Assemble Sports, they saw the platform was a perfect match for their needs. The all-inclusive platform streamlined processes by eliminating the need for multiple systems, making life easier for users. Assemble quickly jumped in to meet the university's unique needs, adding special features to show their dedication to a productive partnership. This adaptability was a refreshing change from the usual one-size-fits-all approach.

‍

"When David presented what Assemble Sports had to offer, I thought, 'This is an all-in-one package.' It's incredibly streamlined, eliminating the need for multiple platforms. Plus, it's incredibly user-friendly."

‍

Despite facing tight timelines, the Assemble team had registration set up in just three to four weeks. This feat usually takes much longer, with other providers suggesting a six-month timeline. Their dedication ensured a smooth start to the semester, showcasing their commitment and highlighting the partnership's success.

‍

In contrast to past experiences, Assemble Sports stood out with their adaptability. Their team fully embraced the university's needs, seamlessly integrating them into their platform. This transformative approach empowered the university to freely express suggested changes, and propose new features. The partnership shifted from a simple buyer-seller interaction to a dynamic collaboration focused on mutual growth.

‍

"I feel that as I began collaborating with David and Luke, they were able to readily understand and accommodate not only my needs but also those of the organisation. They quickly adapted to what was necessary for managing sports competitions, including innovative solutions that were outside the box."

‍

Positive Impacts on Sports at the University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania has seen remarkable improvements since implementing the new platform. The transition has resulted in a surge in student participation, with a 40% increase in the number of teams registered. This can be attributed to the platform's user-friendly interface and enhanced engagement features, making it easier for students to get involved. A standout feature of the platform is its attendance tracking, which enables comprehensive data capture for detailed analysis of student involvement. Additionally, the platform's reporting capabilities and compatibility with Power BI have empowered data-driven decision-making and provided valuable strategic insights.

‍

Recommendations and Concluding Thoughts: Why Choose Assemble Sports?

After a thorough evaluation, the University of Tasmania wholeheartedly endorses Assemble Sports as the ultimate solution for other educational institutions with large sports programs. The platform's comprehensive approach simplifies the complexities of managing multiple different systems, presenting a seamless solution. UTAS will now look to roll the platform out across other areas of its sports program.

‍

"It's simply been a significant reduction in the time and effort required to achieve much better results. I haven't had to invest as much time, especially now that I'm familiar with the system – it's made things much easier."