SMARTstart Member Scores Pilot Partnership for Cognitive Performance Tracking in Sports

December 18, 2024

This software establishes a baseline, tracks impact on cognitive health, enhances player development, and aids in concussion pr

PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA (December 18, 2025): Athletes’ Cloud, a Pasco EDC SMARTstart Incubator Member, along with NeuroCatch Inc. and the Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club (TBJ) a member of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), launched a new brain health pilot program that will integrate cognitive training into the team’s athletic development program.

This innovative initiative, which will be overseen by Athletes’ Cloud, highlights the vital role of brain health in sports performance, injury prevention, and recovery, with a focus on establishing cognitive baselines for athletes at a young age. “We're thrilled to partner with NeuroCatch and Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club to revolutionize athlete cognitive development and brain health," said Trey Stapleton, Head of Communication. "Together, we're setting new standards in youth sports, prioritizing athlete well-being."

TBJ is renowned for its progressive approach to athlete training. Led by Owner/Coach Brett Strot, Head Coach Garrett Strot, and General Manager Kevin Wolter, TBJ combines physical training, character building, and cognitive development to elevate player performance. In today’s high-stakes sports environment, cognitive skills such as focus, attention, and memory are as essential as physical conditioning. These skills directly impact reaction time, decision-making, and overall performance, providing athletes with a crucial competitive edge. “"The NeuroCatch® Platform is a game-changer for our player development, helping athletes sharpen focus and play instinctively," said Brett Strot, Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club owner and coach.”

Measuring brain function requires sensitive, specific, reliable, and rapid methods. The NeuroCatch® Platform that will be used during the pilot is a brain function measurement system based on the science of brain vital signs, enabling cognitive assessments through the integration of objective neurophysiological and cognitive-behavioral measures. This technology delivers widely researched, scientifically validated assessments of cognitive function within minutes at the point of care.

This four-month pilot program will accomplish three critical objectives to gather actionable data:

Baseline Scans: Using the NeuroCatch® technology, foundational data will be established to track the cognitive progress of over 50 Premier and Elite Team members and coaches.
In-Season Monitoring: Two to three mass scanning sessions will track the impact of training and gameplay on cognitive health. Specific cognitive exercises and methodologies will also be introduced to enhance player development.
Injury Management: TBJ will use the NeuroCatch® technology to aid in concussion protocol management with TBJ trainers and players doctors. Post-impact scans will compare baseline data and provide actionable insights for recovery protocols. This ensures players, parents, and medical professionals have real-time access to critical information.

After a puck injury in 2023, NCAA Ice Hockey player and former TBJ left winger Livio Azevedo used NeuroCatch® and a personalized recovery plan to regain—and even enhance—his cognitive and sensory abilities in just two months. "NeuroCatch® has been a game-changer, helping me recover from injury and enhance my cognitive performance," said Azevedo. "With TBJ's support, it accelerated my recovery and continues to optimize my gameplay and brain health."

Data collected during the season will culminate in team reports and a comprehensive case study, providing actionable insights to improve training methodologies. The results will also be benchmarked against anonymized data from hockey players across the U.S. and Canada. Players will have access to their individual results and performance data through the Athlete’s Cloud website and app. "NeuroCatch® and Athletes’ Cloud technology could revolutionize player training by enhancing cognitive capabilities," said Head Coach Garrett Strot. "This program promises to elevate performance on and off the ice."

Athletes’ Cloud is seeking additional local sports organizations to partner with and bring this advanced technology and awareness to their teams to help protect and increase athletes’ cognitive functions, learn more and contact them here.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see a sports tech company like Athletes’ Cloud thriving in Pasco’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart Program Director. “As Florida’s Sports Coast, this is the perfect place for innovative ventures that blend technology and athletics. I can’t wait to see how they continue to impact the sports world.”

“Tampa Bay Juniors’ progressive approach to player health and performance is inspiring," said Tanja Yardley, VP of Clinical Innovation at NeuroCatch Inc. "We’re proud to support this game-changing initiative to advance athletic performance and the mental edge needed to win."