Case Study
19th July 2023
Sunderland’s smart city team is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance the lives of Wearside residents through digital transformation – with our latest being the addition of a new interactive football wall at Southwick’s Thompson Park.
Our ambition is to make Sunderland a smart place to live, work and play; ensuring no-one and nowhere is left behind as the city continues to advance technologically. This includes ensuring we enrich the lives of people who play across Wearside, bringing the benefits of digitalization to life for all of Sunderland’s residents.
Sunderland City Council is also committed to promoting an active lifestyle through the Swim, Bike, Run programme. Our ongoing drive to encourage residents to be physically active emphasizes the advantages of physical exercise for mental and physical wellbeing. We want to ensure our residents are maximizing the potential of Sunderland’s green spaces, through encouraging people to get outdoors and enjoy the numerous benefits of physical activity in our parks.
New connectivity networks across the city which underpin developments such as the new football wall are enabled by the unique partnership between Sunderland City Council and Boldyn Networks, which has already rolled out an array of networks and smart solutions.
Thompson Park football wall being constructed
As part of the £740k regeneration work at Southwick’s Thompson Park, Sunderland Council invested in the deployment of a Yalp Sutu Interactive Football Wall, via their Healthy City Grant – the second of only two interactive football walls in the North East.
The wall features 16 impact-sensitive LED panels that measure and react to ball impact, allowing players to participate in a wide range of single and multiplayer games.
The park is also being equipped with Sunderland’s free superfast WiFi, enabling park visitors to go online thereby enhancing their outdoor experience.
The investment in the interactive football wall is underpinned by infrastructure made possible by the unique partnership between Sunderland City Council and Boldyn Networks.
The installation of the new football wall was completed in Spring – and free WiFi is now being installed with the first area live – just in time to be enjoyed this summer.
Sunderland Smart Wi-Fi
The new addition of Thompson Park’s interactive football wall offers an exciting summer activity that promotes physical fitness and fosters engagement with Sunderland’s smart city vision.
The newly introduced interactive football wall offers an array of entertaining games and challenges suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. It’s an exciting fusion of fun and skill development for young people in Sunderland, bringing together the best of sport, technology, and the outdoors.
The deployment of the interactive football wall in Thompson Park marks a significant step towards transforming Sunderland into a smart city continually enriching the lives of its residents.
This dynamic addition not only demonstrates the city’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for the benefit of its residents, but also Sunderland’s commitment to keeping people engaged and physically active outdoors.
Whether you’re in Sunderland exploring new summer opportunities, or looking to have some fun while honing your football skills, the interactive football wall in Southwick’s Thompson Park is a must-visit for tech-led fun and skill development.
Thompson Park football wall in action
If you would like to visit the new Thompson Park Yalp Sutu Interactive Football Wall, Thompson Park is located on Newcastle Road in Southwick, Sunderland. The park is a 10-minute drive or a 30-minute walk from Sunderland city centre, and it is accessible via bus routes 20, 9 and E2.