The main aim of the SmartPlay project is to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help prevent girls aged 13 to 20 from dropping out of organised sport, supporting them to remain engaged in clubs and sports organisations for longer and, ultimately, to stay physically active in the long term. The project provides coaches, instructors, programme leaders and other stakeholders with educational activities that raise awareness of how AI tools can support clubs in engaging girls in sport over the long term.

The second consortium meeting was hosted by Basketball Club Cerak and brought together partners from Institut IMPACT (project coordinator), ŠSK Širvintos, Connect International and ŽKK Maribor.

The meeting began with a review of documents and reports that are due to be finalised by the end of October. These include a desk research report featuring good practices in girls’ sport and the use of AI in sport, communication and dissemination material document, as well as a report on the progress and implementation of the project.

The central focus of the meeting was the SmartPlay online learning platform. Over the past few months, the partners have worked extensively on developing educational materials that will soon be available as an online course at smartplay.eu. The course consists of 11 modules covering the use of AI in girls’ sport, with a particular focus on preventing dropout, psychology and relationships, inclusive leadership and coaching, and the use of tools and processes that can support clubs in keeping girls engaged in sport over the long term.

The meeting concluded with a review and evaluation of the SmartPlay workshops for coaches delivered so far, as well as planning for the upcoming activities. And with the European Week of Sport just around the corner, the partners wrapped up their time together with an active tour of Belgrade.