ABOUT BAJAD8TA
Bridging the gap between Performance analysis and the media, Bajad8ta are a collective of 8 independent Analysts, from a variety of backgrounds, who are taking a fresh look at the sport of Rugby.
Named after the groundbreaking Argentinian scrum technique “Bajada” or “La Bajadita” the group includes coaches, video analysts, data collectors, data interpreters and communicators all working together to change how analysis influences our understanding of the game.
Bajad8ta believe good analysis can and should tell a story.
THE BAJAD8TA TEAM
Brendon Shields
Rugbycology
A specialist in development analytics at schools and club
level, Brendon’s focus on play variation and efficiency is key
to helping teams build a more diverse range of attack
strategies and skillsets.
Carrick Blake
The analysis Guy
Head of Analysis at National One Club Cambridge Rugby, Carrick has been producing Rugby Analysis since World
Cup 2019.
Chris Tipping
The Gain Line
A career writer with more than 20 years experience observing sports around the world.
This former (occasional) slave to the front row has been sharing his observations on Rugby Union under the twitter identity the GainLine since 2012, he hopes to one day make sense of all the numbers.
Geraint Davies
GDD Coaching
A Head of PE & Games at an Independent School, Geraint
is an RFU level 4 Coach, Senior Coach Developer.
Having previously worked with Gloucester Rugby,
Loughborough University and Hartpury College as a coach ,
he produces analysis for The Six Nations and on Social Media.
Graeme Forbes
The DEad Ball Area
Also known as The Dead Ball Area, this former international
Sevens coach has been producing analysis work for the public and websites such as Green and Gold Rugby and the Rugby Mag since 2014.
Jacek Wallush
Various
A sports and business data scientist, Jacek is a former
American football coach and currently provides analysis for
the Polish Rugby Football Union.
Sam Larner
Various
Analyst, journalist, and coach, Sam began his career
heading up Blackheath Rugby clubs analysis team. Since
then he has written analysis articles for Planet Rugby, the
Rugby World Cup website, and Rugby World magazine.
The Eighth Man
The Secret Weapon
Working in data analysis and communications for his whole
professional life, the Number 8 has developed some ground breaking and influential approaches for looking at the sport of Rugby.
These ideas were pursued for his own curiosity but have become mainstream in analytical discussions of the sport.