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Wellsford Rugby Club matches could be streamed online next season, thanks to a deal between Northland Rugby Union and a Danish camera manufacturer.
The Veo camera makes use of artificial intelligence to automatically record matches. It is mounted on a tall tripod and has two 4K cameras which track the action across the field.
Union director of rugby Brad Te Haara says the new technology will be a game changer for players in clubs around Northland hoping for selection in the regional team.
He says at present the union does not have the resources to send a camera operator to record every premier level match in the region held on a Saturday.
However, the new automatic cameras will mean exposure for clubs further afield.
“It means that players in clubs in Wellsford, Dargaville or Kaitaia can play in their own environment and have their best performances viewed,” Te Haara says.
“Gone are the days where players had to play in Whangarei to be seen.”
Northland Rugby Union has initially purchased three of the cameras, which will be rotated around clubs for premier matches.
Te Haara says the cameras will also be used to record under-18 matches where the games take place on the same day and location.
He says footage should at least make it to YouTube for fans who could not attend a match in person. The latest models of the Veo camera also have live streaming capability, which may be utilised long term. The technology was initially developed for football, but has already been well tested by rugby unions in the Bay of Plenty and Otago.
Although it may not be realistic for many Northland clubs, they are also able to purchase their own camera at the discounted price of $1200 through a deal with the union.
Meanwhile, Te Haara says he will return to Wellsford Rugby Club next season to help out with coaching after a tough 2020/2021 season for the premier team.
He says he has already begun work to turn around the previously high-performing club’s fortunes.
