Match Official Developer App - your input please

[Balones]

I have been asked to trial a few apps over the years to assist development of them. From my experience I have found that for coaches and for PRs/assessors/observers at local society level they can be of some use, especially for those of us that like using technology and digital devices. From my own personal point of view I found that the gathering of data/information that was possible didn’t match up with that which was required at my level and the compulsory reporting form I had to complete. (At the time, but I do know that it is yet again up for review.) Another personal problem was that unless I was using a large notebook the keypad was too small and also I couldn’t type fast enough to make notes. I’d be interested to know other people’s experiences of this aspect of the process.

[Phil E]

I am curious, does it take a lot of practice to use ?
I was wondering about simply using Google recorder mm which gives you a transcription

I picked it up quite quickly. Certainly easier to learn than writing it all down.

This app has a speech to text function, but I am told by those who have tried it out in the field that Wind noise can be a problem.

[Phil E]

I use a different app called Referee Coach, which is simple to use.

The screen on that one looks awfully busy to me.

There are two versions of the front screen. Simple and Detailed.

Simple version just records penalties as Tackle penalty, Ruck penalty, etc. This would be good for lower level refs (9 and below maybe).

The detailed screen records Tackle penalty (or any other breakdown), then the specific offence like not rolling away (or holding on etc), player number (if known) and position on pitch. Watching the EU cups this weekend I found it easy to enter this quickly and not miss anything.

Your right though it does look busy, but like anything its simple once you get used to it. I picked it up quite quickly and they have this weekend made the front screen crisper and cleaner. Same number of buttons though.

[Phil E]

I have been asked to trial a few apps over the years to assist development of them. From my experience I have found that for coaches and for PRs/assessors/observers at local society level they can be of some use, especially for those of us that like using technology and digital devices. From my own personal point of view I found that the gathering of data/information that was possible didn’t match up with that which was required at my level and the compulsory reporting form I had to complete. (At the time, but I do know that it is yet again up for review.) Another personal problem was that unless I was using a large notebook the keypad was too small and also I couldn’t type fast enough to make notes. I’d be interested to know other people’s experiences of this aspect of the process.

I have been trailing it with games on the tv and a standard iPad (not the large A4 version) is absolutely fine. I wouldn't really want to use it with a smart phone, although a large screen one (iPhone 7 plus size) with a stylus would be ok. Solves the fat finger syndrome.

This app is designed to complete all the data (evidence) required in an RFU form 2/3, the watcher then just needs to fil in the narrative text. It certainly saves a lot of post match time spent adding up all the various penalties, scrums etc from written notes.

I don't think its something you can force on people and if watchers prefer to stick with their various pads, pencils and highlighters, then that's fine. Whatever works for them. We are looking to maybe entice some new watchers with the technology. Also if we go ahead we would purchase some Android tablets to install the App onto. That way they can be passed around if a watcher is on holiday (which you can't easily do if it's installed on their personal device), or loaned out to refs who are injured to do a few games. The Android tablets can be bought for less than £100 each.

[crossref]

how much does the app cost? presumably £100 would buy quite a few copies ?

[Phil E]

how much does the app cost? presumably £100 would buy quite a few copies ?

It's an annual licence, for Societies its £20 per copy per year. So 5 copies would cost the Society £100 per year, which is very reasonable.

[crossref]

It's an annual licence, for Societies its £20 per copy per year. So 5 copies would cost the Society £100 per year, which is very reasonable.

interesting, my instinct would be that assessors would choose the app they like best (or no app at all) and buy it themselves (just like you buy your own whistle, boots, flags etc).


(Of course if a Society made an app mandatory, it might be different)

[Phil E]

interesting, my instinct would be that assessors would choose the app they like best (or no app at all) and buy it themselves (just like you buy your own whistle, boots, flags etc).


(Of course if a Society made an app mandatory, it might be different)

We have no intention of making it Mandatory, but we are trying to encourage more people to be watchers. We buy other things for Watchers. Coats, all weather clipboards, etc. In the same way that referees get kit and flags from us.

[crossref]

We have no intention of making it Mandatory, but we are trying to encourage more people to be watchers. We buy other things for Watchers. Coats, all weather clipboards, etc. In the same way that referees get kit and flags from us.

interesting - we get free shirts, but generally buy the rest. (although you can earn credits)

I paid for my own shorts, socks, boots, whistles, flags (I lose a set of flags every season I reckon!), training top and my warm watching top.
I got my RC and YC free from the RFU when I did my ELRA :-) (The RC is hardly used)

Oh, we got free polo shirt.

[Phil E]

interesting - we get free shirts, but generally buy the rest. (although you can earn credits)

I paid for my own shorts, socks, boots, whistles, flags (I lose a set of flags every season I reckon!), training top and my warm watching top.
I got my RC and YC free from the RFU when I did my ELRA :-) (The RC is hardly used)

Oh, we got free polo shirt.

Our kit is sponsored, so we all get a complete set as part of that.