292 Performance founder Dr Ben Rosenbaltt recently sat down with Breakaway Data to discuss how data aids connecting athletes and clubs, providing individualised athlete support and the future when it comes to technology and athlete performance.
292 Ethos: Connecting Athletes and Clubs
Breakaway Data: Why don’t you share a bit about 292 Performance and its mission?
Dr. Ben Rosenblatt: I recognised there were a lot of athletes, particularly footballers, seeking support outside their clubs or national governing bodies. While this external support was valuable, it was often seen as unstructured or even disruptive by the clubs. My goal with 292 Performance was to create a company that not only supported athletes in their physical preparation but did so in a way deeply connected to their clubs’ ambitions and processes. If all parts of the athlete’s support system aren’t aligned, things can fall apart quickly. I wanted 292 Performance to be that bridge between the athlete, their club, and their shared goals.
Individualised Athlete Support: A Growing Trend
Breakaway Data: Why do you think more players seek private support now?
Dr. Ben Rosenblatt: Athletes have always sought opportunities to maximize their preparation. In the last 20 years, I’ve seen athletes look for external coaches, therapists, psychologists—whatever they needed to succeed. This isn’t a new trend, but it’s more visible now, largely because of social media. Athletes are building personal brands, and that makes it more public. The younger generation expects bespoke solutions for everything, whether it’s nutrition or performance prep, and that’s the direction we’re heading. The key is making sure those solutions are credible, professional, and, most importantly, connected with what the clubs are doing.
When I worked with GB Hockey, for example, we had an athlete who sought external support for their speed work. My first reaction was, “We’ve got a great speed program here.” But then I realised that if the athlete feels they can push themselves harder in a different environment, that’s where they should be training.
Managing Multi-Organisation Athlete Support
Breakaway Data: How do you manage athletes who are moving between clubs, national teams, and 292 Performance?
Dr. Ben Rosenblatt: That’s always a challenge. When I worked with GB Hockey, for example, we had an athlete who sought external support for their speed work. My first reaction was, “We’ve got a great speed program here.” But then I realised that if the athlete feels they can push themselves harder in a different environment, that’s where they should be training. The key is figuring out what’s non-negotiable—what needs to be maintained across all environments—and making sure that there’s open communication with all parties involved. We need clear structures in place, especially when it comes to data sharing. Good communication is boring, but it’s essential.
The Importance of Communication Structure
Breakaway Data: How important is structured communication for you?
Dr. Ben Rosenblatt: Critical. I always say, that if I don’t put my keys in the same place when I come home, I’ll spend 45 minutes looking for them later. Communication is no different. If you don’t have a structured approach—regular check-ins, defined agendas—you’re going to lose track of important details. We have regular meetings with athletes to review performance objectives, challenges, and opportunities. The same goes for their agents, families, and clubs. Structured communication gives us the freedom to focus on what really matters, and it prevents things from going off track.
We have regular meetings with athletes to review performance objectives, challenges, and opportunities. The same goes for their agents, families, and clubs.
Future of Athlete Performance: Technology & Data
Breakaway Data: You’ve always embraced technology and data. How does that play into the support you offer athletes?
Dr. Ben Rosenblatt: We use a lot of tools—VALD for capturing physical capabilities, SpeedWorks AI to digitise sprinting and movement, and Power BI for visualisation. We also work with Breakaway to capture GPS and match data. It’s about building a complete picture of an athlete’s physical demands and performance objectives.
While we’re not responsible for day-to-day training decisions—that’s the club’s job—we use data to spot patterns and help athletes optimise their recovery, sleep, and nutrition. Going forward, I think AI will play a huge role in helping us ask new questions of the data. In three to five years, I can see us using advanced statistical models to answer complex performance questions in ways we can’t yet imagine.
292 Performance works closely with Breakaway Data to capture GPS and match data of players. It is an automated system which allows the 292 Performance systems to instantly view, analyse and monitor data to ensure support is individualised. The Breakaway app provides a common thread for discussions and enhancing communication between individuals, team coaches and science and medicine support.
