News: IFK Värnamo uses Refcom II Pro on the bench 2025-11-10

IFK Värnamo focuses on communication – uses Refcom II Pro on the bench

In 2025, IFK Värnamo took the next step in improving their match-day communication by introducing Refcom II Pro from Spintso. The communication system is used between the coaching staff on the bench and the physiotherapy team, consisting of two members. The purpose is clear – faster and clearer communication during injuries and the most intense moments of the match.

“It’s those few seconds that can make a difference. When we have direct contact between the bench and the person providing treatment on the pitch, we can make quicker decisions and act immediately,” says Matilda Stenholm, physiotherapist for IFK Värnamo’s men’s team.

The system is also used to stay in contact with players warming up or when the physio team needs to coordinate during the match. It provides security and the ability to act proactively instead of reactively.

“It’s easy to use, starts quickly, and works every time. It really makes my job on matchday easier,” says Matilda.

Ted Durdel, Digital Marketing at Spintso, comments:

“We are very happy that IFK Värnamo has chosen to work with Refcom II Pro and Spintso.. It shows that the need for stable and clear communication is not limited to referee teams – but also extends to coaching and medical staff. We are already in dialogue with several elite clubs in Sweden who are looking for alternatives to phones or low-quality walkie-talkie setups. The fact that our systems are already used by medical teams and analysts in top leagues outside of Sweden, and now also in Swedish elite football, is proof that our solutions meet an important need. It’s great to see how our products can add value beyond the referee’s role.”

Refcom II Pro has long been used by top-level referees and is now also a valued solution within the medical and analytical teams of elite football. For IFK Värnamo, it’s all about smooth and fast communication with the coaches on the bench.

Common questions about Refcom II Pro for analyst, medical or coaching teams

How can Spintso’s communication system improve coordination between the coaching staff on the bench and the medical team (physiotherapist/physio) during a match?

With Refcom II Pro, you can create a dedicated communication channel between the bench and the medical team, or even include both physio and analyst teams. You can choose between an open channel (everyone hears everything) or Push-to-Talk (PTT) mode (only when the button is pressed). Another practical feature is the option to activate the microphone only when, for example, the physio runs onto the pitch to treat a player – a super smooth setup according to us at Spintso! This eliminates the need for DIY solutions or relying on private phones during a match, providing a cost-efficient, quick-start and stable system to instantly say things like “we need physio on the field now” or “our sub is warming up – get ready.” This setup has already proven effective in elite football – such as with IFK Värnamo.

Can the system be customized so that different groups (e.g., analysts, physios, coaches) have their own channels without interference?

Yes — Refcom II Pro allows flexible channel configuration. For example, you can have:

One channel for the coaching staff on the bench,
One (or several) separate channels for the medical/physio team,
One separate channel for the analyst/analysis team.
This way, the analyst can talk directly to the bench about tactical adjustments, while the physio or medical staff communicate on their own channel about injury status or quick interventions – without overlapping or disrupting each other. It’s far smoother than everyone being in the same “phone chain” or trying to manage multiple apps or non-professional walkie-talkies.

What are the advantages of switching from “phones or cheap walkie-talkies” to a system designed for match and sports communication like Refcom II Pro?

Several important advantages:

Plug-and-play – turn on the units and the system works instantly without complicated apps or networks. (Refcom II is “more or less plug-and-play.”)
Fast setup/connection during the match – basically: “plug in the headset, power on, connects automatically – done.”
Stable communication without phone delay or risk of mobile network dropouts.
Cost-effective alternative – many of our users have said they “were looking for an affordable communication system without success,” then tried Spintso’s referee communication system and were positively surprised.
Ability to act proactively rather than reactively – as Matilda mentioned, “it’s those seconds that can make the difference.” Direct communication helps you act faster and more confidently.