In a quaint corner of Wellington, New Zealand, a remarkable transformation has taken place over the past six years.
What was once an abandoned academic campus has evolved into a cutting-edge hub for health, wellness, and sports innovation.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Jamie Tout, the director of the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport, to delve into the fascinating journey that led to this incredible metamorphosis.
A Conversation with Jamie Tout: Director of NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport
Jamie Tout, the mastermind behind this endeavour, is not only the director but also one of the founding partners of the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS).
His journey ranged from grassroots initiatives to professional athlete training, with a particular emphasis on strength and conditioning as well as data science.
A significant part of his career was intertwined with the New Zealand rugby scene, especially the Black Ferns team.
The Vision Behind the NZCIS
Jamie explained that NZCIS was conceived in 2016 as a shared resource model to cater to the diverse needs of professional sports teams in Wellington.
The vision extended beyond just accommodating local teams; it aimed to attract international teams for pre-season training while fostering a sense of community and enterprise through commercial and government tenancies.
The bold decision to repurpose and renovate the campus sparked a massive transformation, breathing life back into its once-abandoned corridors.
Jamie's role was pivotal in orchestrating the evolution of the campus, bridging the gap between the original visionaries and the world of professional sports.
NZCIS boasts an awe-inspiring array of facilities, from state-of-the-art exercise equipment and recovery booths to expansive fields and accommodations.
Jamie explained that the process of selecting the features and areas of the campus was meticulous and rooted in collaboration.
Choosing Which Equipment and Why
In 2017, the foundation membership group, which included prominent sports teams like the Hurricanes and the Pulse, gathered to generate ideas that would shape the future of the campus.
The discussion then turned to the global stage. In a daring move, NZCIS reached out to 35 major international sporting organisations, garnering insights and perspectives from diverse entities such as the New York Giants, Chicago Bulls, the UFC and Manchester United to name a few.
This exchange of ideas enabled NZCIS to customise its offerings, catering to a variety of sports, player profiles, and training requirements. The result was a world-class facility that merged the realms of community, professionalism, and sports innovation.
The NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport is a testament to what can be achieved when passion and purpose converge.