Purpose and Mission
The Sports Performance Analytics (SPA) Lab are a team of like-minded students and researchers who focus on highlighting and dissecting sport analytical findings. By pursuing innovative solutions to ambiguous, under-studied, or previously unanswered sport performance analytical questions, the team brings a comprehensive and fresh look at sport industry research. The SPA Lab is specialized and has an emphasis on sport performance analytic findings.
Meet the Group
Nick Lacoste is a Master’s student with a breadth of experience in Sport Analytics. Nick has worked as a Director of Analytics, Statistician, and other roles across Major Junior and USports settings, as well as a Consultant in multiple corporate sport areas. He has also worked in Safe Sport, sports writing, policy, Indigenous sport, and academic research. His Master’s research focuses on quantifying Canadian location-based variations in hockey opportunity. Nick’s depth of experience managing analytics teams and writing on data-relevant sport performance phenomena has equipped him well to lead the SPA lab. He remains excited to question current sport analytics conclusions and contribute to hockey analytics scholarship.
Luke Perrett is a second year Sport Management student from Winnipeg, Manitoba who has a passion for analytics. He currently serves as the Video Coordinator for the Brock Badgers men’s hockey team and has worked in their analytics department for the past two seasons. Previously, he was the team manager and statistician for the St. Paul’s Crusaders of the WHSHL. Using the skills he’s developed over the past 5 seasons working with data in hockey, along with his background as a sports editor, Luke aims to make sports analytics easier for others to interpret and implement into their sports careers.
Christian Meagher-Sturgeon is a second-year Sport Management student at Brock University. He currently serves as Director of Analytics for the Guelph Royals and as Head of Analytics for the Brock Baseball team. Originally from Moncton, NB, Christian is passionate about baseball analytics and eager to continue sharing data-driven insights with the SPA Group.
Graydon Bebbington is a graduating fourth-year Sport Management major and incoming graduate student with experience in both sports information and communications. During his time as the Sports Information Intern for the Brock Badgers, he has developed numerous articles for gobadgers.ca, highlighting both team and individual success. A passionate basketball enthusiast, Graydon has further developed his skills in media and communications through the launch of his Raptors-focused podcast, The Dino Factor, as well as hands-on experience at the NBA Summer League. Building on these experiences, Graydon aims to cover key analytical trends in the NBA with a unique and informed perspective.
George LaFleche is a Sport Management graduate from Winnipeg, Manitoba who will be entering Brock University’s Master of Sport Management program. He has developed a strong background in hockey analytics through roles with the Winnipeg Bruins U18 AAA, Niagara North Stars U18 AAA, and the Brock Badgers men’s hockey team, where he currently contributes to performance analysis and scouting. In addition to his team experience, George is the creator of NBI Hockey, a digital platform focused on modern hockey analytics. Using the skills he has developed, he aims to make analytics more accessible and applicable for teams, fans, and aspiring professionals.
Amanda Nash is an experienced marketing and communications coordinator within the sports industry. Amanda is the current CSC intern, and she leads marketing campaigns, social media strategies, event plans, CSC promotions, and more communication-styled tasks. With a specialty in developing social media pages and improving promotional communications, Amanda is the Research Communications Coordinator for the SPA Group. She brings her team members’ analytical reviews and research to the forefront of the industry through CSC communication platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and the SPA website! This includes offering innovative ways to translate research to external audiences through engaging posts, web design, and branding.
Our Work
Check back for future publications and developmental experiences!
Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) and Events
Three of our CSC Sports Performance Analytics (SPA) members had the opportunity to attend the “Scaling Analytics in Sports” at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management! Nick Lacoste, Christian Meagher-Sturgeon and Luke Perrett were provided with an exciting event that showcased the winners of the Big Data Cup 5. With appearances from industry professionals in sport analytics spaces such as Meghan Chayka, Joe Sheehan, and Sreekar Voleti, the SPA team gained valuable insights on analytical concepts and networking opportunities.
