FP7 funds project to support traditional sports
The EU is funding a project to provide HD footage of Basque pelota players and Gaelic football, hurling and camogie athletes to cultural and sport organisations.
The research team is also developing a system based on low cost sensors and open source 3D software to be used in all interested clubs. The RePlay project will be tested as from next year and will help youngsters learn traditional sports as well as enable experienced players to improve their skills.
“I think it’s going to be a big step in professional training techniques for both players and coaches,” said Kepa Arroitajauregi, member of the Pelota and Associated Sports’ World Council.
Arroitajauregi is taking part in the capture in a studio specially equipped to replicate game conditions of the Basque court.
In Europe alone there are over 3,000 traditional sports and games. Many of them are in decline or already lost, due in part to globalisation and the increased tendency towards individualised physical exercise.
Dr María Teresa Linaza, project co-ordinator based at Vicomtech-IK4, Spain, explained: “Basque and Gaelic sports are two of the few traditional sports and games that act as social and community pillars in the regions in which they are practised, either at home or beyond Europe. The strength of the two traditions and their resistance to decline should serve to help other traditional sports. The application of innovative and low cost technologies, with support from the EU, will help to stop the decline.”
The eight project partners from Spain, Ireland, Greece, the UK and Switzerland are building a motion capture system that will be within reach of sports clubs. They also develop innovative techniques to produce state-of-the-art HD footage and to recover 3D motions from historical films.
European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: “Traditional sports and games are part of Europe’s diversity and cultural treasures. We need to preserve them as we need to protect works of art. New technologies offer great opportunities to capture and share.”
The research team is also developing a system based on low cost sensors and open source 3D software to be used in all interested clubs. The RePlay project will be tested as from next year and will help youngsters learn traditional sports as well as enable experienced players to improve their skills.
“I think it’s going to be a big step in professional training techniques for both players and coaches,” said Kepa Arroitajauregi, member of the Pelota and Associated Sports’ World Council.
Arroitajauregi is taking part in the capture in a studio specially equipped to replicate game conditions of the Basque court.
In Europe alone there are over 3,000 traditional sports and games. Many of them are in decline or already lost, due in part to globalisation and the increased tendency towards individualised physical exercise.
Dr María Teresa Linaza, project co-ordinator based at Vicomtech-IK4, Spain, explained: “Basque and Gaelic sports are two of the few traditional sports and games that act as social and community pillars in the regions in which they are practised, either at home or beyond Europe. The strength of the two traditions and their resistance to decline should serve to help other traditional sports. The application of innovative and low cost technologies, with support from the EU, will help to stop the decline.”
The eight project partners from Spain, Ireland, Greece, the UK and Switzerland are building a motion capture system that will be within reach of sports clubs. They also develop innovative techniques to produce state-of-the-art HD footage and to recover 3D motions from historical films.
European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: “Traditional sports and games are part of Europe’s diversity and cultural treasures. We need to preserve them as we need to protect works of art. New technologies offer great opportunities to capture and share.”
