The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) isn’t your average sports facility. This one-of-a-kind destination offers athletes, community groups, and corporate guests a unique and unrivaled experience. Central to NZCIS’s commitment to recovery is its state-of-the-art athlete recovery room and comprehensive recovery wing.
We recently sat down with Jamie Tout, General Manager of NZCIS, to delve into the vision behind the complex.
A Passion for Athlete Wellbeing
Jamie’s background in high-performance sport fueled his desire to create a space that prioritized athlete recovery. Having visited world-class facilities around the globe, Jamie’s vision for the new facility included an emphasis on athlete well-being. NZCIS was built with the understanding that recovery is just as important as training, and the SwimEx pools play a vital role in this philosophy.
Athlete Recovery Room: Bespoke Design
NZCIS selected SwimEx for its superior quality and customization capabilities. Their impressive Recovery Wing includes everything needed for athletes to train and recover:
- Multiple Resistance Pools: A highlight of the space are two SwimEx resistance pools— a 1000 T and an 800 T. The two pools cater to a variety of needs, from high-intensity workouts for elite athletes to rehab sessions with multiple users.
- Custom Plunge Pools: NZCIS can easily support large teams with their two custom-built plunge pools. Each plunge pool can accommodate 20 athletes, allowing for simultaneous hot and cold therapy sessions. Large teams can complete their sessions more efficiently—a big benefit!
- Underwater Treadmill: The 1000 T includes an underwater treadmill. Ideal for rehabilitation, walking and running on the treadmill minimizes body pain and joint impact while improving fitness and balance. Using the underwater treadmill in conjunction with the SwimEx adjustable paddlewheel current can boost the intensity of the workout.
- Plyometric Training: Both SwimEx resistance pools feature independent workstations for plyometric exercises. Athletes can engage in tailored workouts that enhance mobility, strength, jumping, and landing skills, supporting their individualized progress and overall performance.
- Accessibility for All: Understanding the importance of inclusivity, the Recovery Wing features an accessible pool ceiling hoist. This ensures athletes of all abilities can benefit from the therapeutic and training advantages available.
- Comprehensive Recovery Amenities: The Recovery Wing is also equipped with an Infrared Sauna, Red Light Therapy, a Cryotherapy Chamber, and a dedicated Recovery Room. These amenities offer additional therapeutic benefits, enhancing overall athlete well-being.
The Power of Teamwork
Jamie emphasizes that successful execution of a project of this scale hinged on effective collaboration. “We had to work with all of our suppliers to make sure they got the brief correct, including scheduling and getting everything done in the right sequence,” Jamie said. “The SwimEx team was easy to work with and always responsive.” This collaborative approach resulted in an environment that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, maximizing the athlete experience. “When we were considering the installation of the pools, our big learning was to make sure there was sufficient space that wasn’t cluttered or dark.
The NZCIS Campus: Beyond the Recovery Wing
The Recovery Wing is just one component of the expansive NZCIS campus. Fueled by their dedication to Wellington, the NZCIS team revitalized the former Central Institute of Technology site into a premier athletic and conference destination. The facility includes state-of-the-art conference space, comfortable accommodations, modern commercial offices, and the innovative Performance Institute. Athletes benefit from the convenience of staying in new modern apartments, dining in a facility that caters to all dietary needs, and accessing a comprehensive athletic training environment – all within minutes of each other.
Recovery Success
One remarkable case involved a 6½ foot-tall athlete dealing with a brain injury. He struggled to maintain an upright position. Once in the 1000 T pool, he was upright within seconds.
“The ability to get in the water can be transformative for wheelchair users,” Jamie said. “For athletes and individuals with mobility challenges, hydrotherapy provides a significant boost to their recovery and overall well-being.”
NZCIS is home for Wellington Rugby, the Hurricanes, and the Wellington Phoenix, as well as Black Ferns and All Blacks training camps. The facility attracts clubs of all sports from all over the world, including Swedish Women’s Football (Soccer), the Young Matilda’s Women’s Football (Soccer) Team, England Rugby, and Welsh Rugby, just to name a few. The team’s dedication to optimizing its athlete recovery room is evident in its exceptional facilities. Their forward-thinking approach not only boosts performance but also elevates the recovery experience for all users.
SwimEx is proud to be a part of this world-class facility.