Research partnerships
Research underpins World Cup Football
Clients
adidas
Expertise
Sports Technology, Aerodynamics
Loughborough was the Exclusive Research Partner for the official match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Developed by FIFA and adidas, 'JABULANI' featured a newly-developed 'Grip'n'Groove' profile that allows an exceptionally stable flight and perfect grip under all conditions. The groundbreaking performance features of the 'JABULANI' were confirmed in comprehensive comparison tests and checks in our labs and wind tunnel and the adidas football laboratory in Scheinfeld, Germany.
Our Sports Technology Institute has previously developed the 2008 European Championship and 2006 World Cup footballs for adidas.
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Impact
- Use of advanced materials and production methods enable spherical moulding for the first time
- odynamic instabilities minimised for truer flight
- Advanced production methods progress the industry away from labour-intensive production