CONTEXTUAL ESSAY

TECHNOLOGY IN SPORT

JAMES MUGGERIDGE 

ARE WE LOSING THE BEAUTY OF OUR GAMES? 

FIVE YEARS INTO THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL WITH THE VAR SYSTEM 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Project links_________________________________1  

Digital artefact summary_________________________________2 

Future Media influence_________________________________2-3 

Sources _________________________________3 

Audience engagement_________________________________3-4 

Project refinement_________________________________4 

Conclusion_________________________________4 

Page Break 

PROJECT LINKS 

TECHNOLOGY IN SPORT 

ARE WE LOSING THE BEAUTY OF OUR GAMES? 

FIVE YEARS INTO THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL WITH THE VAR SYSTEM 

BLOG 1:  

‘Technology in sport: An overview  

BLOG 2:  

‘A redirection for perfection – The video review system in football’ 

BLOG 3:  

‘What’s next for VAR? The short-term future of football’ 

DIGITAL ARTEFACT SUMMARY 

For my digital artefact for BCM325, I decided to look at sports technology, and in particular, the future of sports technology. At its current state, technology in sport can be both beneficial and controversial. Over the years we have seen the innovation of technologies which can give a quick and concise readings on a player’s health, as well as having the ability to foresee any health challenges which may be negatives towards a player’s future. However, we have also seen the negative impact reviewing systems have had on the overall atmosphere and beauty of our sports. For my project I refined my artefact to specify the impact that the video assistant referee has had on the game of football.  

FUTURE MEDIA INFLUENCE 

In predicting the future, I incorporated theories and learnings from the future media topic. With reference to screenings, I linked my project with films such as Metropolis and Blade Runner which similarly looked at social division. VAR as a correction system in football has been a hot topic for discussion, bringing upon differing opinions and ideas behind it. Thus, it has divided fans on whether the implementation of the technology is improving the game.  

Furthermore, while incorporating the futures DA challenge, I based my prediction on Wendell Bell’s elements of future media. To incorporate Bell’s theory, I looked at the past and present of the VAR system which assisted in shaping my future prediction. I also looked at a desirable future and a future without intervention (a future with technology and no change).  

Wendell Bell’s elements of future media: 

• Analysis and interpretation of the recent past and present; 
• Projections of future developments with and without interventions; 
• Descriptions of possible alternative actions and possible futures; 
• Evaluation of Desirability of Alternative Futures; 
• Selection of Specific Policies to Implement for Desirable futures. 

SOURCES 

Additional background sources which helped shape my project prediction included a scholarly text named ‘More decision-aid technology in sport? An analysis of football supporters’ perceptions on goal-line technology.’ This gave me an idea on how technological innovations have been received throughout football’s extensive fanbase.  

Further sources included data found from websites such as ‘BBC’ and ‘Statista’ which provided evidence into how fans feel about the VAR. An article by Varsity provided a subjective opinion of the future of football with reference to external factors such as technology and financial influencers.  

• ‘More decision-aid technology in sport? An analysis of football supporters’ perceptions on goal-line technology.’ 
• ‘VAR: Hit or miss? Fans’ poll on football’s most controversial debate’ 
• ‘Rating the efficacy of VAR in the English Premier League the 2019/2020 season’ 
• ‘The future of football: Envisioning the next century’ 

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT 

Audience engagement on Twitter assisted is redefining my project. Asking as to whether I should provide a whole view of technology in sport or a niche view of technology football, allowed me to alter my project overall.  

However, when promoting my first post I did not receive any beneficial comments. Looking back at my project’s progression, distributing my project over more platforms would have gained an increase in audience engagement.  

PROJECT REFINEMENT 

My project was on the future of sports technology. My original idea was to look at technology in sport on a well-rounded basis, however through contacting my twitter audience, I realised that I needed to make my project much more of a niche artefact. In my second blog I decided to reinvent my artefact and focus on the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) in football. My second blog involved the issues of VAR and showed evidence that the system is ruining rather than improving the game of football. In my third blog I looked at what football will look like in five years’ time. 

CONCLUSION  

In concluding my BCM325 digital artefact, I’m proud of what I have created as it reflects my own knowledge of football incorporated with learnings from the future media study.  

Personal positives: 

• Presents a projected view of what the future of football looks like 
• Satisfied with content created 
• Will add to my personal portfolio  

What I must work on: 

• Working to schedule  
• Audience engagement