Manchester based cyber technology company VST Enterprises Ltd (VSTE) has today announced it has launched the worlds first ever interactive sports kit for Premiership rugby club SALE SHARKS. The interactive rugby kit is also a world first for Rugby Union.

VSTE which has developed the ultra secure VCode® code scanning technology has teamed up with technology disruptors Luna Venture Partners to become the technology partner to SALE SHARKS in a new three year deal.

The club’s men’s team will wear a VCode® ‘maze’ style logo positioned between the VCode® name branding on the front of their shirts for the 2020/21 season. This will allow fans to use their smartphones to scan the VCode® and access exclusive content using the innovative kit design.

VCode® is the ultra secure code scanning technology invented by VST Enterprises. Unlike traditional bar codes and QR codes which can easily be cloned and targeted by hackers, VCode® uses a secure closed loop system with end to end encryption and over 2.2 Quintillion combination codes.

The VCode® can be scanned in a 170 degree arc, whilst on moving objects and up to 100 metres away in some conditions. The technology also has wider applications and uses across rugby, football and many other sports for content delivery, player and fan health passports, secure access and anti counterfeiting of tickets.

Louis-James Davis, CEO & Founder of Manchester based VSTE, said:

“We’re excited to be working with Luna Venture Partners and Sale Sharks as a principal technology partner and for VCode® to be playing an integral part of the club’s tech innovation as a unique front-of-shirt partner at this level of rugby. We believe this is the first time an interactive scanning technology has ever been used on a players shirt to give a more interactive and immersive experience between players and fans.”

The VCode® on the front of each Sharks shirt will be an innovative way of connecting fans to the game, which is particularly important right now as fixtures continue to be played behind closed doors.

VSTE’s innovative VCode® technology is also being used to power the VHealthPassport® – a secure digital health passport with contact tracing capability – that is being used as part of a major campaign to get sports fans back into stadiums. The pilot campaign called FANS ARE BACK has been submitted to the Government and the DCMS Select Committee to help get rugby union and rugby league fans back into the stadiums. The VHealth Passport will also be used to help get Sharks supporters to return to Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium.

Louis-James Davis added;

“Through our technology and innovation, VCode® is now being used in our secure VHealth Passport which can be used alongside PCR and rapid Covid testing and we will be carrying on our work to help bring Sharks fans and supporters of all sports back to live games as soon as possible.”

VST Enterprises are working with Isle Of Man based Luna Venture Partners to use the VCode® technology for a number of innovations including content delivery of match highlights, player interviews, secure ticketing and VHealth passports to be used by the fans and players when they return to the AJ Bell Stadium.

The host of partnerships agreed by Sharks ahead of the new season signals the club’s intent on continuous growth despite the impact of coronavirus, says commercial director, Mark Cueto MBE.