SportsLevels Master Thesis
Authors
Moritz Bille, Sebastian ; Michelsen, Monika ; Nassory, Rimon Johnny Stephan
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-06-01
Abstract
Denne kandidatafhandling følger startuppen SportsLevels og udviklingen af RefLevel, en smartwatch- og mobilapplikation skabt for at hjælpe fodbolddommere med at registrere kampdata digitalt i stedet for med papir og blyant. Projektet blev påbegyndt i 2016 af tre studerende på Aalborg Universitets uddannelse i Entrepreneurial Engineering og beskrives som en rejse fra idé til proof of concept. Afhandlingen introducerer begrebet Game Management før, under og efter en kamp samt rammerne for forsknings- og publikationsdesignet, herunder en praksisnær tilgang. Udviklingsforløbet omfattede tidlige prototyper, gentagne UI-forbedringer, bruger-tests med breddedommere, dialoger med elite- og FIFA-dommere samt tæt sparring med DBU, der testede appen og gav feedback. Der blev tilføjet en mobil-løsning synkroniseret med uret for at forberede automatisk indrapportering, og teamet håndterede organisatoriske milepæle som stiftelse af SportsLevels IVS, optagelse i AAU Inkubator og samarbejde med ekstern Android-udvikler. Undervejs blev der frigivet en første version (december 2017), fulgt af en beta-release (april 2018). Et centralt resultat var FLU’s godkendelse i maj 2018, som tillod brug af RefLevel i danske breddekampe, mens der fortsat blev arbejdet på API-adgang for at automatisere dataflowet til DBU. Samlet set præsenterer afhandlingen en praksisdrevet udviklings- og valideringsproces af en digital løsning målrettet dommeres kampadministration.
This master’s thesis documents the start-up SportsLevels and the development of RefLevel, a smartwatch and mobile application designed to help football referees record match data digitally instead of using pen and paper. Initiated in 2016 by three Entrepreneurial Engineering students at Aalborg University, the thesis presents a journey from idea to proof of concept. It introduces the notion of Game Management before, during and after a match, and outlines the research and publication design with a practitioner-engaged perspective. The development process included early prototypes, iterative UI improvements, user tests with grassroots referees, conversations with elite and FIFA referees, and close collaboration with the Danish FA (DBU), which tested the app and provided feedback. A synchronized mobile companion was added to prepare for automated reporting, while the team achieved organizational milestones such as founding SportsLevels IVS, joining the AAU Incubator, and partnering with an external Android developer. Along the way, an initial release went live in December 2017, followed by a beta release in April 2018. A key outcome was approval from FLU in May 2018, allowing RefLevel to be used in Danish grassroots matches, alongside ongoing efforts to secure API access to automate data transfer to DBU. Overall, the thesis presents a practice-led development and validation of a digital solution for referee game management.
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