How database development helps KNSB and speed skating move forward

Jeroen Fredriks is ICT/ET coordinator at KNSB (Royal Dutch Skating Federation). In his role, he is involved in enabling and registering the 1200 long track speed skating competitions held annually in the Netherlands. He is also responsible for timekeeping at long track speed skating competitions through ET (Electronic Timekeepers) or Omega. Think of major championships in both the Netherlands and abroad, ISU competitions and the Olympic Games.

"For long track speed skating, time really is everything"

KNSB provides timekeeping software to sixteen ice rinks in the Netherlands. On average, 1200 long track speed skating competitions are held and over 1.2 million times are registered per year. Jeroen: "As KNSB, we are naturally very interested in those times. The statisticians in my team collect all that information and then pour it into our database. We use the times for selection purposes, talent recognition and everything related to that. Because long track speed skating is only interesting if times are recorded. For long track speed skating, time really is everything."

The data and data development level of long track speed skating in the Netherlands is quite high. KNSB collaborates with various parties for this, such as the Innovation Lab Thialf and universities. "The challenge in sport is that you keep developing, so that you can get the maximum out of the sport. That's what we facilitate as KNSB. We ensure that professional skaters and coaches have the best tools at their disposal to perform optimally. But also that the recreational skater has his times available," says Jeroen.

Data-driven coaching

Speed skating is a top sport in the Netherlands. Many fans are glued to the TV during a competition. Jeroen: "But on TV you only see the final result. What the viewer doesn't know is how much data is used in choices for team compositions, during training and test moments. Ultimately, that data leads to that one moment. At the moment, not all available data is being used yet. So there is still much more to gain in that area.

An example: in an ice rink there is a measuring point every fifty meters. Twelve times per lap we know how the skaters relate to each other. That is very valuable information for a coach. They can see exactly where a skater lost a race. Did they start too fast? Did they not achieve the efficiency in the corners? You can also create a speed profile of the skater this way. Overlay data from the conditions, such as air pressure, and you can predict what final time that skater will achieve on a particular track under certain conditions. All that data is gold. As KNSB, we just need to make sure we can continue to develop and offer that data."

Future-proof database

With that idea, a history database was set up at KNSB ten years ago. The goal: to secure information for the future. This database stores data from Dutch skaters, from races both domestically and abroad. This way, the rankings are always complete with all times recorded within a season. After nine years, the life cycle of that software came to an end. That was the beginning of the collaboration with Qualogy. A multi-year project was started, with the first phase being the cleanup of the old COVAS 1 database. At the same time, the new COVAS 2 data model was developed and the data was migrated. The result is a renewed database that can be continuously improved and is future-proof.

"Continuous improvement and development is the common thread in the collaboration with Qualogy"

Agile & Scrum

And that's a good thing, because sport is always evolving. Jeroen: "Next year the skating world could look completely different. Continuous improvement and development is therefore the common thread in the collaboration with Qualogy." Agile and Scrum prove to be important methods in this. This keeps KNSB always informed about the work of the development team. This way, the federation can guide the process step by step. Due to the short cycles of Agile, the business value can be quickly adjusted where desired.

Translating wishes

Jeroen continues: "Qualogy is truly a collaborative partner. The members of the Qualogy team can not only handle data, but they also really understand skating. As a result, they give us new insights into the possibilities. And they translate our wishes into a technical solution without problems. I find that very special."

"Qualogy is truly a collaborative partner"

Changing information needs

Jeroen: "Now that the COVAS 2 project is completed, we can start unlocking the data. For example, towards our website. This way we make our history visible to everyone. We notice that there is an increasing need for information in advance. People want to know what to expect before a skating weekend. What does the top 20 look like? Which skaters are at the start? Who will skate the European Championships and what are the season times recorded? These are things we actually do far too little with now. Furthermore, there are of course multiple channels that you could connect to the database and that can benefit from the data stored in it."

The influence of social media

Young people also show more interest in skating and the whole world around it. This is mainly due to social media. For example, you can follow the skaters on Instagram. Jeroen: "Take Jutta Leerdam, for example. She has so many followers. The way sport is experienced is changing as a result. It's really about the person behind the sport. The current means in this make the connection with the supporters much closer. As a federation, we try to go along with this and facilitate what is needed for it. That's why it's important that we keep an eye on where the information need lies."

Talent tracking

Another form of data application that you see in many sports is talent tracking. This is also the case in long track speed skating. Jeroen says: "As KNSB, we are of course also working on this. Who can ultimately become the new Sven Kramer or Ireen Wüst? A lot of data is needed for that. Of course about lap times, but also about mental aspects, training conditions, nutrition and equipment.

Talent tracking is the product with which Qualogy previously got started at KNSB. Now that the database is in order, this has full focus. Combining all available data, from skating icons and young talent, from the COVAS database in a dashboard. This gives coaches and scouts insight into what talent the Netherlands has in skating. And guidance to use in training. We can also quickly identify which target groups we need to pay more attention to in order to perhaps also make progress with them in the future. With this dashboard, KNSB is ready for the future."

"The ANWB feeling for skating must come from KNSB"

Skating worldwide

KNSB is there for the sport of skating. Jeroen: "We see it as our task to ensure that skating is and remains a top sport. In the Netherlands and the rest of the world. That's why the Olympic Games are an important focus point for us. Sponsor expectations are aligned with the number of medals we win. So how do we ensure we bring in as many as possible? And how do we keep it as interesting as possible for all target groups? Data must ensure that we stay ahead of the competition. But also that the rest develops along. That's why KNSB also shares data with other countries. This way we maintain the competition and the sport."

The Netherlands, skating country

"Within the Netherlands, it is important that skating also remains a mass sport," Jeroen continues. "The Netherlands is a skating country. It is our origin. When there is natural ice, people buy skates en masse via Marktplaats. Everyone wants to skate then. That feeling must remain alive. It is up to KNSB to ensure that. And to also provide those skaters with information, for example about where the ice is strongest. People always used to say 'the ANWB feeling for skating must come from KNSB'. But how do we do that in this changing landscape with changing needs?

I think that's where the interface lies between the business world and the sports world. And data plays an indispensable role in that. The good news is that we are only just beginning to use it. There is so much more possible. Qualogy helps us achieve that," Jeroen concludes.