Taking into consideration that it was so difficult to get the team together to train, we developed a virtual training routine that gives them the opportunity to improve their technique in their own homes. We chose VR over other technologies because it gives the same sensations as training on-site. To be as accurate as possible, our experience design team worked with the national team coach to polish every single detail and to be able to provide the players with an experience that allows them to really improve on the field. The VR platform was developed in Unity3D and the joystick is powered by Arduino and the Xbox 360 joystick.

We co-created the VR simulator exercises with the help of the coach in order to target the player’s needs. We mapped problems according to their context and prioritized them. The team’s biggest challenges were:

- Infrequent practice opportunities

- Necessity of constant supervision because of their condition

- Logistic challenges of moving the athletes across the country to get together

- Poor sport penetration

So we created a VR simulator to help players improve their skills, by allowing them to train in a virtual space without going through the hassle and logistics of being transported to the same training space.

We did it based on 4 experience pillars

-Control

-Aim

-Position

-Speed

We worked with tech, creating fast proofs of concept and testing them with the real players. We had feedback and validations every week; we tested the platform in controlled environments and then validated our findings out in the field to create an experience that was as authentic as possible.

• This project caught the attention of many different TV shows, radios, websites, and blogs, and was publicized widely on social media.

• It garnered a publicity value of $92,042 USD according to Cision media.

• FIPFA is looking to eventually implement these types of tech tools on a global scale.

• This unconventional VR training tool gives Argentina a strategic advantage in the growth of this sport.