New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is to partner with Virtual Eye, the sports division of Animation Research Ltd, appointing the Kiwi company that pioneered real-time 3D sports graphics and animations its official “Innovation Partner”.
The new strategic partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, will focus on high performance analytics, broadcast innovation, and enhanced fan engagement, combining NZC’s broad base of high performance properties with Virtual Eye’s global leadership in data visualisation.
Founded in Dunedin by entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor, Virtual Eye has revolutionised sports broadcasting, delivering cutting-edge technology across cricket, golf, baseball, and sailing, and partnering with major broadcasters, leagues, franchises and organisations.
Through this partnership, NZC and Virtual Eye will explore the development of advanced sports graphics, biomechanics and conditioning tools, and data systems to enhance NZC’s high performance programmes and elevate the cricket experience for fans around the world.
“Working directly with NZC gives us the chance to co-develop tools that not only enhance the performance of New Zealand’s players but also inspire, entertain and educate fans at home and abroad,” said Sir Ian Taylor.
“We’re excited to see what we can achieve together."
The announcement comes as Virtual Eye celebrates winning its fourth Emmy Award and the SMPTE Progress Medal, the highest honour awarded by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, recognising exceptional technical contributions to the motion imaging industries. Past recipients include Walt Disney and Ray Dolby.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink was delighted to be aligning with Virtual Eye.
“Virtual Eye has consistently set the global benchmark in sports technology and broadcast innovation, with world-leading assets in golf (PGA Tour) and baseball (MLB), sailing (America’s Cup) and cricket,” he said.
“This partnership is a genuine collaboration intended to push the boundaries in performance analytics, storytelling, and fan engagement.”
The agreement with Virtual Eye continues NZC’s progress in the digital technology space, following this season’s successful launch of the community app, “Cricket Central”, and the appointment of CricViz as its official Performance Analysis and Scoring Partner.
Weenink said the new partnership with Virtual Eye further emphasised NZC’s commitment to innovation and relevance in a quickly changing world.
“We’re small, but we’re also agile and flexible – and remaining at the forefront of cricket’s data-driven future is crucial to our success, on and off the field.”
