IACSS - History

During the last years, Computer Science has become an important interdisciplinary partner for Sport Science. This is due to the fact that the use of data and media, the design of models, the analysis of systems etc. increasingly require the support of suitable tools and concepts which are developed and available in Computer Science. As a consequence the new scientific discipline "Computer Science in Sport" was established.

National Workshops were organized to provide platforms to exchange the latest experiences and ideas regarding the use of Computer Science in supporting the development of theory and practice in sport. The large interest in these meetings underlines the wide-spread necessity of co-operation.

In 1997 (June 12-14) an International Symposium "Computer Science in Sport" was organized in Cologne.

The 2nd International Symposium (Vienna, September 15-17, 1999) included a discussion session on internationalization. Possibilities and procedures for an improvement of the international co-operation within the area of the application of computer science in sport were discussed. It was expected that this would be advantageous for the acquisition and realization of common research projects. As a concrete result an International Working group "Computer Science in Sport" (COSISP) was founded. The first co-ordinating steps have been taken over by the organizing committee of the Viennese Symposium.

During the 3rd International Symposium in Cardiff (June 26-29, 2001) it was decided to publish an E-Journal ("International Journal of Computer Science in Sport") and to prepare the foundation of an International Association on Computer Science in Sport (IACSS).

The first issue of the e-journal was published in December 2002 (for more details see E-Journal).

During the 4th International Symposium "Computer Science in Sport" in Barcelona 2003 IACSS has formally been founded. Prof. Jürgen Perl has been elected for first president.

The 5th International Symposium was held in Hvar, Croatia. Most sessions were successfully broadcasted worldwide using resources of the Access Grid® project. During the symposium a Statement of Cooperation was agreed between IACSS and IASI.

Calgary, Canada, was the host city of the 6th International Symposium. During the congress, a new IACSS-Board has been elected (President: Prof. Arnold Baca; General Secretary: Prof. Larry Katz). The new post of Honorary President was created. Prof. Juergen Perl was elected to fill the post.

IACSS and the Biomechanics and Performance Analysis Department of the Australian Institute of Sport organized the 7th International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport from 22-25 September, 2009.