The Victorian Government is backing the state’s growing sports technology sector with a $4 million investment to establish the Australian Sports Innovation Centre for Excellence in Cremorne.

The centre will support the creation of up to 2,000 tech jobs in four years by fast-tracking commercialisation of new products, and attracting national and international partnership opportunities for Victoria’s growing sports technology sector.

The centre will be led by the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), the nation’s lead industry body for sports tech and innovation, and will be connected to the state’s flagship Digital Hub in Cremorne.

ASTN’s network of more than 500 Australian-based sports innovation companies will be connected to the centre and they will continue to help companies develop and expand globally.

Victoria is already home to more than 65 per cent of Australia’ssportstech companies with operationslike Prahran-headquartered Catapult Sports, a wearable technologies company with contracts across major leagues including the AFL, NRL, EPL, NHL and the Bundesliga, leading the way.

The centre will further bolster Victoria’s position as Australia’s leader in sports tech by helping Australian startups and entrepreneurs, building on the legacy of local companies like Champion Data, Genius Tech Group and Rosterfy.

The businesses and tech leaders based at the centre will benefit from trade and strategic leadership opportunities, as well as connections to new industry partnerships and research collaborations.

More than 7,500 people are currently employed in Victoria’s sports technology sector in companies developing products in areas like media, artificial intelligence, entertainment, stadiums, major events, wearables and e-sports.