Under Vreman’s leadership, the club has gained valuable insights into the physical demands of training and matches over the years. But the partnership started cautiously. “Back then, GPS was new to us, and the club really didn’t have a budget for it,” Vreman recalls. “It was actually the son of a local doctor who suggested we try it out. That’s how we got started—mainly to see if it would provide any value.”
"The GPS could help make things visible that we couldn’t measure before.”
In the early days, the possibilities were still limited, Vreman acknowledges. “There were systems that could measure distances, but they were unaffordable for us. This was an opportunity to gain some insights for ourselves.” What did he expect? “Primarily, I thought we’d get medical data,” he says. “The GPS could help make things visible that we couldn’t measure before.”
Starting from that point in 2014, the technological possibilities in sports have grown rapidly, the coach notes. “The difference between where we started and what we can do now is enormous,” Vreman says. “The accuracy of the data has improved, and we’ve also gotten better at translating the data into practical applications. We can now identify correlations that were previously invisible.”
GPS and Data: Now Integral to Training
With data analysis now deeply integrated into football, Vreman sees changes in his own coaching style. “I was a coach in 2014, and now I’m back as head coach at De Graafschap,” he explains. “Back then, it was all about experimentation, but now we use data much more. You build knowledge over time and better understand how to use it as support. Over the years, we’ve explored many things. For instance, we can now link injuries to players’ workloads.”
According to him, the intensity of football has increased significantly over the past decade. “The intensity now is completely different from back then. GPS has played a role in that; the data has helped us identify where we can push players more,” Vreman explains. “Players now meet higher demands and undergo more intense efforts than when we first started using GPS.”
Challenges During the Introduction of GPS Technology
In the early years, there were challenges for both Vreman and the players. “We used it less back then simply because we didn’t know much about it, especially at our club,” he recalls. “Players had to wear what was essentially a sports bra, and some were skeptical. ‘Do we really need this?’ they asked. They just wanted to play better football and wondered if these measurements were even necessary.”
Over time, that attitude has changed, Vreman notes. “Players now understand why we use it and have become more curious. During training, they immediately want to know their top speed and compare it with each other. It’s even a daily practice at youth levels now, so players grow up with this data.”
GPS as Support, Not a Guiding Principle
Vreman emphasizes that he sees GPS tracking data as a supporting factor, not a guiding principle. “You don’t decide to substitute a player purely based on data. It’s about the bigger picture,” he says. “Sometimes you notice a player is physically exhausted, but other times it’s a mental issue. Data can help identify patterns, but it’s just one of the factors to consider.”
Although data doesn’t dictate decisions, its applications have expanded in recent years, including live tracking. “Two or three years ago, we started using live GPS on the field. It gives us immediate feedback and allows us to make adjustments during training when needed. That helps us prevent injuries, for example,” Vreman explains.
Expanding the Team and Adopting New Technology
Alongside technological advancements, De Graafschap has also expanded its staff to work with the data. “You need people who can process and interpret the data,” Vreman says. “In the beginning, it was still very basic, but with information from both inside and outside the club, we can now identify more correlations. At our club and others, you increasingly see staff members dedicated entirely to data analysis. Without those extra hands, it would be tough.”
"Data can help identify patterns, but it’s just one of the factors to consider”
The technology itself has also been refined. “Initially, it was just GPS, but now we also measure heart rate,” Vreman explains. “That combination provides even more insights, such as recovery and workload. Every small improvement gained from the data ultimately helps players perform better on the field. We use the data to achieve effective training progression in a constructive way. Our medical staff use it to determine physical growth of players, without overloading them."
Looking Ahead: How Data Could Shape Football’s Future
Vreman also looks forward to the next decade and the potential to improve talent development. “We’d like to identify early on which young players can handle the physical demands, even from a young age. If you have players who can consistently perform at a high level physically, that gives you an edge,” Vreman says.
He sees particular promise in identifying talent and managing recovery at younger ages. “If you can determine early on which players can handle the physical workload, it helps prevent injuries. You want players who can not only play football but also withstand the physical intensity modern football demands.”
Additionally, he highlights the importance of recovery, given the increasingly demanding match schedules. “It’s not just about physical workload but also how quickly someone can recover. We’re asking more of players now, which makes recovery moments even more crucial,” Vreman says. “With data, we hope to better identify who can handle that workload and recover quickly. This way, we can build teams that can sustain the intensity and pressures of high-level football for years to come.”