Fans and staff travelling to UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 fixtures in the Netherlands this summer are being encouraged to get more active with a new mobile app.
The Active Match App, developed by Newcastle-based mobile consultancy Gospelware, has been launched by the European Healthy Stadia Network in partnership with UEFA and the World Heart Federation.
It encourages more fans to walk or cycle to games at the tournament, which takes place across seven Dutch cities from next week.
“The app is sophisticated in its build in that it tracks how a user gets to a venue, using GPS to determine how fast they are going and discounting any speed over a certain threshold to ensure they haven’t travelled by car when they say they are walking or cycling,” said Michael Dunn, founder and commercial director of Gospelware.
“Women’s football has risen in prominence and popularity over the last decade, but over half of women living in Europe still do not meet the World Health Organisation’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
“This app is designed to get users thinking about the health and lifestyle benefits of walking or cycling whilst incentivising them in the process.”
The Active Match App provides users with maps and directions to host venues whilst detecting details of distance travelled, calories burned and details of CO2 emissions saved by not driving to the fixture.
Users can log journeys throughout the tournament to enter draws for tournament balls and tickets for the final in Enschede on Sunday 6th August.
Matthew Philpott, executive director of the European Healthy Stadia Network, said: “We hope the app will foster an ‘active’ culture, encouraging both fans and tournament staff to make walking and cycling the default choice for all shorter journeys.”
Peter Gilliéron, chairman of the UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee, said: “UEFA is committed to helping people from all over Europe look after their hearts and lead healthier lifestyles.
“By demonstrating that walking and cycling are viable modes of transport on a matchday, we hope to provide more opportunities for fans to leave their cars at home.”
The European Healthy Stadia Network is a body set up to promote public health policies and practices across European sports arenas.
The Active Match App is the latest in a string of high-profile developments for growing consultancy Gospelware, which counts the NHS, BBC and Nissan amongst its client portfolio.
The Active Match App is now available to download: