Game Changer: How UWB and Qorvo Are Powering the Future of Youth Sports
When people think of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology, industrial automation and smart factories are usually the first things that come to mind. But thanks to a creative collaboration between Finland-based Noccela and Qorvo, UWB is making an impact in a very different setting—on soccer fields where tomorrow’s athletes are training today—by empowering coaches with real-time data.
“Positioning as a service is our slogan, and that’s what we do,” said Noccela CEO Tuukka Tarkiainen. “What it means in soccer is that with our technology, our partner has developed a soccer application on top of our ultra-wideband technology.”
That application brings sophisticated, real-time player tracking and performance data to a setting where it’s rarely been available before—youth sports. Rather than targeting elite professional teams, Noccela’s technology is designed to support coaches working with teenage players. It gives them a clear, objective view of what’s happening on the field during practices and games—without expensive or complex infrastructure.
Accessibility by Design
“What that allows is complete data, especially from practice,” Tuukka explained. “The coaches know exactly what is happening on the field, and they can use that data in communication with the soccer players, who are, by the way, teenagers. They are not famous global stars.” Tuukka says UWB data that indicate where players are on the pitch and how active they are actually helps encourage youth to stay active in sports. “When coaches know exactly what is happening on the pitch, they can use that data to communicate with the players. It’s motivating them to play. The more motivated they are, the more motivated they are to train and strive to be on the pitch with their teammates.”
This focus on accessibility is intentional. “How we are different is that with our technology, our customers are able to create more affordable systems and easier-installed systems,” he said. “That is the main reason why we exist—we bring ultra-wideband to everybody. The soccer field is just one example where we are making a difference. The same logic works everywhere that a cost-efficient UWB network will change how we work and live. That includes making sure that our elderly people are taken care of, that our kids are safe, or that our food is served just at the right time and plac
Plug-and-Play Precision
The simplicity and affordability of Noccela’s system are a key part of its appeal. It uses compact UWB modules and lightweight, battery-powered base stations that coaches can set up themselves around the field. Everything is connected to the cloud. There are no heavy-duty computers or technical staff required on site.
“In order to have a soccer field application, it’s not a feasible idea that there would be some industrial PC in the corner of the field,” Tuukka said. “The coach himself can put these base stations around the field, and then Google Cloud, our cloud service, is, in fact, doing the job.”
Centralizing Computing, Local Impact
That shift—from localized computing to centralized cloud processing—is what enables such a scalable solution. “The most complicated part, the expensive part, is done in the cloud,” Tarkiainen noted. “So the soccer field, retail store or fast food restaurant—there is no computing power in place. All this is centralized.”
The system not only provides hard data for coaching decisions—it’s also a motivational tool for young players. “With the data, they are more motivated to train and be out of trouble—being on the sports field rather than in the shopping malls,” Tuukka said with a smile. “I think you know what I mean.”
Powered by Partnership
As for the technology under the hood, Noccela’s system wouldn’t exist without Qorvo’s radio technology and long-term collaboration. “This is possible only because of Qorvo,” said Tarkiainen. “Qorvo is producing the technology, and they have been supporting us over the years to make this application. We call it an ultra-wideband network. We are selling the network, which has enabled us to go to market and provide the service to our customers.”
The Future of UWB, On and Off the Field
Qorvo Senior Technical Marketing Manager Christian Assier has seen firsthand how far UWB can reach—and believes its full potential is only beginning to emerge. “There is no limit,” he said. “It’s used in more than 40 different vertical markets today, including sport, automotive, mobile, consumer, and industrial.”
Christian explains that UWB adds a critical new dimension to the Internet of Things. “There’s the ‘what,’ the ‘when,’ and now—with UWB—the ‘where,’” he said. “Before, you just knew when something happened and what it was. Now, you also know exactly where it happened.”
And that new dimension of spatial awareness is opening the door to smarter, safer, and more efficient environments—from hospitals and factories to youth soccer fields.
Ultimately, this technology is not just about tracking—it’s about transformation. For the teenage athletes on the field, it’s a chance to train smarter, stay motivated, and be seen. For the coaches, it’s actionable insight. And for both Noccela and Qorvo, it’s proof that the right partnership can bring cutting-edge tech to places where it truly makes a difference.
