Switching Athlete Management Systems (AMS) is a significant undertaking for any football club, especially in the Premier League, where the stakes are high and operations are complex. At Teamworks, we understand the challenges of change management, data migration, and ensuring seamless adoption. With a global team of 450+ and a retention rate of over 97%, we are uniquely positioned to deliver success and help ensure this transition is your most seamless and enduring one.

While the transition process comes with its challenges, our experience supporting top-tier clubs has shown that, with the right framework and a flexible system, it can be a smooth and efficient journey. At Teamworks, our team is ready to support football clubs through the transition to a new Athlete Management System because we’ve walked in your shoes. Our staff includes former coaches, sport scientists, and strength and conditioning professionals who have worked within football clubs and other elite performance organisations.

This firsthand experience gives us a deep understanding of the practical challenges clubs face, from managing complex data ecosystems to ensuring effective communication between departments. We know what it takes to make an AMS work because we’ve been on the front lines, leveraging data to drive performance and streamline workflows. This expertise allows us to identify practical solutions tailored to your needs, making the transition smoother and the long-term benefits more impactful.

“It’s no surprise that the current top four teams in the EPL are using Teamworks AMS. As the Product Success Manager overseeing their implementation and data migration, I’ve witnessed firsthand how smooth and effective the process has been. The results speak for themselves, with more and more teams eager to adopt Teamworks AMS and elevate their performance.” – Todd Atkins, Senior Product Success Manager at Teamworks.
Read Changing the Game: Why EPL Clubs Are Embracing Teamworks AMS

Alistair Inglis, Senior Solutions Consultant at Teamworks, has successfully guided multiple EPL teams through this process. He shares a structured approach to help clubs navigate the change with confidence and clarity. 

Step 1: Evaluate Data Strategy and Direction

The starting point for any AMS transition is a comprehensive evaluation of the club’s current data processes and strategy. Clubs often conduct a data mapping exercise to understand how data flows through the organisation. Are there silos of data that hinder collaboration? Are current tools inadequate for capturing or analysing the necessary information? This step identifies pain points and inefficiencies, providing clarity on what needs to change.

It’s also essential to assess the long-term data strategy. Consider questions such as: What data is critical for decision-making? How should this data be structured to ensure scalability? How do we future-proof our data ecosystem? These insights lay the groundwork for understanding why a new AMS is necessary and what benefits it can bring. Establishing the “why” sets a clear direction for the transition and ensures alignment among stakeholders.

Step 2: Change Management Considerations

Change management is the cornerstone of any successful AMS implementation. It’s about managing the people who will use the platform—coaches, staff, practitioners, and players—and ensuring they feel comfortable and supported throughout the transition.

Key considerations for effective change management include:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify and involve key stakeholders early to build trust and gain buy-in.
• Clear Communication: Transparently share the reasons for the change, the benefits of the new system, and the impact on individual roles.
• Addressing Resistance: Understand potential resistance points and proactively address concerns through dialogue and reassurance.
• User Involvement: Involve end-users in the evaluation and implementation process to ensure the platform meets their needs.
• Training and Support: Plan for comprehensive training sessions and ongoing support to build user confidence.

Ultimately, change management requires a structured plan. This ensures a smooth transition and lays the foundation for the next step: implementation planning.

Step 3: Develop an Implementation Plan

A well-defined implementation plan is critical for navigating the transition effectively. This plan should include:

• Timelines: Identify the optimal transition period by aligning with lighter game schedules, staff availability, and other key priorities to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation.
• Milestones: Set clear objectives for each phase of the transition, from initial evaluation to full deployment.
• KPIs: Define measurable outcomes for each milestone to track progress and ensure accountability.
• Stakeholder Meetings: Schedule regular meetings with key stakeholders to review progress, address challenges, and adjust plans as needed.

This structured approach ensures that all aspects of the transition are carefully managed, reducing risks and setting the stage for successful implementation.

Step 4: Implementation and Integration

Implementation often begins with a critical step: data migration. We have transitioned many clubs from almost every AMS / medical system on the market and know that data needs to be transferred accurately and efficiently. It is important to recognise that the data being migrated not only informs how workflows are designed but also presents an opportunity to refine or create new processes that may not have been possible in previous systems. This dual focus ensures historical data can be utilised effectively while laying the groundwork for innovation. With extensive experience in data migration, we ensure that clubs’ data integrity is preserved and seamlessly integrated into the new platform.

Once data migration is complete, the focus shifts to developing workflows tailored to each department. Often, these steps occur in tandem, following a phased, iterative approach where workflows are tested, refined, and adapted to meet the club’s unique needs. By evolving a truly bespoke system, clubs can maximise the value of their AMS.

“Support is a key component of implementation.”, says Alistair Inglis. “Comprehensive onboarding and training programs ensure that all users—from physios to sport scientists—are comfortable using the system. Ongoing support addresses any issues that arise, fostering long-term engagement.”

Step 5: Evolving the System and Building Ecosystems

Implementation is not the end of the journey. The next step is to continually evolve the system in an interactive approach, ensuring it continues to meet the club’s needs over time. This includes:

• System Integration: Connecting Teamworks AMS to the club’s internal systems to build a sophisticated data ecosystem that enhances operational efficiency and decision-making. With Teamworks AMS, clubs retain full ownership of their data. Users can export data in a usable format at any time or connect it to their internal databases, ensuring flexibility and transparency. Our API documentation is public and available upon request.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular reviews and updates to the platform ensure it remains aligned with the club’s evolving goals and challenges – done in a rapid way as Teamworks AMS is a ‘no-code’ environment. 
• Driving Autonomy: With a focus on training and education, our team is here to guide your club towards full autonomy, so that Teamworks AMS truly becomes ‘your’ platform. A combination of self-paced online webinar courses, workshops and guided one-to-one training allows your club to upskill and take control of the system, whilst continually evolving to match your needs. 

By leveraging Teamworks AMS’ flexibility and expertise, clubs can build a system that provides unparalleled value and a competitive edge.

Conclusion: A Partnership for Success

Switching AMS platforms is a strategic decision that requires careful planning and execution. At Teamworks AMS, we bring unparalleled experience and expertise to guide football clubs through this process. Our flexible, user-centric platform ensures that clubs receive a bespoke solution tailored to their needs, while our team’s deep understanding of the industry guarantees a seamless transition.

The challenges of switching are far outweighed by the long-term benefits of adopting Teamworks AMS. By following this framework and leveraging our support, football clubs can unlock new levels of efficiency, insight, and performance. Contact Alistair Inglis and us help you navigate this transition and build a smarter, more adaptable AMS today.