The coding behind the beautiful game at Manchester United

micro:bit - the next gen

Data analysis in sport is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around in football since at least the 1930s. However, developments in technology in recent years have seen teams increasingly using data science to inform their strategies and decision-making.

CBBC programme The Football Academy recently showcased how the BBC micro:bit can be used to measure kick-strength, yet that’s just one aspect of how coding and data can be used in the sport.

Most major clubs now have in-house data science teams and we caught up with Manchester United’s Head of Data Operations to find out more.

Despite only joining Manchester United’s data team in March 2023, Chris Shumba already feels like part of the family at Old Trafford. He told us: “I was both excited and nervous before starting. I had never worked in football before, so I had no idea what to expect. Everyone has been so warm and friendly. I usually don't feel like I am working because I am doing something I love. Being part of the club feels very special to me.”

Like many clubs, Manchester United has been growing their data science team in recent years and Chris believes it has an important role to play in the game: “Data science enables decision makers to make better judgements using data-driven knowledge. This capability results in a data-informed organisation.

“When we think of data enablement, we think of the entire organisation. As a data team, we are not only there to answer questions, but also to help people answer their own questions using data. This is a more scalable approach and one with bigger impact for the organisation and industry.”

“We are on a mission to build the best data platform in sport, not just football.”

However, when pressed for more details about how exactly Manchester United are using their data, Chris was unsurprisingly unable to offer too many details. He said: “I won't disclose too much about my average week. However, I will say that we are on a mission to build the best data platform in sport, not just football. My typical week revolves around making this a reality.”

This data-driven approach isn’t unique to football but something that is being embraced by many sectors as Chris explains: “Everything consists of data. I believe that organisations will strive to educate their workforces in data science in order to gain a competitive advantage. The majority of our time in data science is spent attempting to simulate human decision-making.

“I always consider my brain to be the first and most powerful computer. For instance, to get to school or work on time in the morning, you must leave at a certain time. Even though we have simplified the process in our minds, there is a great deal of information used to calculate the time we should depart the house and evaluate the assumptions we have made about our morning routine. This is just a simple example of how much information we are computing even for simple tasks like being on time.”

“I've been on an endless journey to learn and advance the data space.”

Chris originally aspired to a career as an actuary as he was interested in statistics but found himself drawn to data science following his graduation. He explained: “I joined CSC, now DXC Technology, on a Graduate Scheme. That provided me with exposure to Data Science. I recall doing a lot of YouTube courses for practice. Since then, I've been on an endless journey to learn and advance the data space.”

Growing up in Zimbabwe, Chris attended a primary school that had one Windows 98 machine that a class of 30 took turns to use. He told us: “In secondary school, my only experience with coding was in a visual basic (VBA) course in Year 10. The concept of automation attracted my interest. I was not introduced to any programming languages in primary or secondary.”

That’s why Chris believes that initiatives such as the BBC micro:bit – the next gen campaign, which is giving a free set of 30 mini computers to every primary school in the UK, are important.

“The micro:bit is such an innovative way to engage pupils in solving important problems. Their availability to simplify programming is excellent. Not everyone will be interested in technology, but everyone will have had the same opportunity. The most important aspect of the micro:bit is bringing the fun into problem solving.”

After completing his A-Levels, Chris studied mathematics at university and as the nature of the degree was applied mathematics, he got to write code a lot. He explained: “Although this is a more traditional path, the data science space is very diverse in terms of entry point. Anyone can be a data scientist even if their educational background is different.”

Following university, Chris’s first job in data science saw him migrating data from on-premise models to cloud-based platforms, “I was working with a team of highly experienced data scientists, so I was there to learn and absorb all of their advice. It was a lot of fun. I would practise my programming and made sure to say yes to every opportunity so that I learnt faster.”

“In the future, programming will open up countless opportunities for pupils.”

Chris strongly believes that data science is an important area for children to gain skills in: “Computing is not primarily about computers or code; rather, it is about problem-solving, question-answering, being creative and innovative, and most importantly, feeling empowered. You have the ability to alter the world with your ideas. In the future, programming will open up countless opportunities for pupils. I also believe it will keep them interested in STEM subjects by demonstrating their practicality.

“The pace of innovation within the digital space has been very fast. There are plenty of opportunities within health, education, sport, environment, transportation, economy and finance, social welfare and many others to contribute to the digital landscape. Abraham Lincoln once said "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next". So as a teacher you may have the next prime minister in your class, as a student you might be a future prime minister. So it is important to be ready for that future now.”

If you’re interested in learning more about careers in Science and Technology, visit our Bitesize Careers site.

This article was published in November 2023.

More from BBC micro:bit - the next gen