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Australian sports advisory and investment firm XV Capital, co-founded by former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock and business partner James Godfrey, has today announced a strategic partnership and equity agreement with innovative New Zealand-based sports technology company CoachMate. Looking to redefine grassroots community sport and offer invaluable support to sports organisations and communities while championing lifelong sports participation, the partnership will back the capabilities of CoachMate grassroots sport coaching app, which:

• Offers world-class coaching resources and community engagement features, all designed to enable and nurture sports communities,
• Provides community sport volunteers the tools and skills to deliver consistent, high-quality coaching experiences as part of an effort to encourage kids into, and keep them in, sport,
• Assists in the recruitment and retention of volunteer coaches (and managers) who sit at the heart of community sport,
• Establishes direct communication channels with clubs, coaches and other volunteers, players, and their supporters, boosting cohesion and ensuring consistency of delivery,
• Improves the commercial viability of sports organisations by engaging a notoriously hard-to-reach but incredibly involved audience as well as providing insightful data and analytics benefiting sports and their partners.

Recently launched partnerships with national sports organisations in New Zealand - including Basketball NZ, NZ Football and Golf NZ - are set to be complemented by BMX NZ and the Halberg Foundation in 2024.

Recently launched partnerships with national sports organisations in New Zealand - including Basketball NZ, NZ Football and Golf NZ - are set to be complemented by BMX NZ and the Halberg Foundation in 2024.

CoachMate will also expand in Australia in coming weeks, with Golf Australia among its new partners.

Michelle Walshe, Chief Executive and co-founder of CoachMate, advised “we’re excited to work with XV Capital and leverage their extensive capabilities and networks in the sports, technology and investment sectors.

“CoachMate is led by a dedicated team with a track record of developing world-class content, pioneering grassroots coaching programs, and commercialisation experience, combined with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by grassroots sports, their volunteers and partners.”

Leigh Kenyon, CoachMate's co-founder, Director of Coaching and a former professional footballer, highlights a concerning statistic, noting “Kids are five times more likely to drop out of sports under an unskilled coach.

“CoachMate is on a mission to help sports communities thrive by providing quality resources to volunteer coaches, ensuring they have the tools to keep kids engaged and returning year after year.” XV Capital’s Godfrey went on to say “CoachMate is one of those rare sports tech gems that elegantly solves multiple challenges simply and cost effectively. The idea came from a place of purpose, with the application positively impacting all involved in grassroots sports.”

For more information about XV Capital, go to www.xvcapitaladvisory.com

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