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EIT Institute of Sport and Health celebrates milestone

May 30, 2019

Brendon Rope, Operations and Commercial Manager of the Hawke’s Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust (l) and EIT’s Deputy Chief Executive, Mark Oldershaw were happy to see the Institute getting ready for its opening.

After months of planning and constructing, the installation of the large EIT Institute of Sport and Health sign was one of the last items crossed off the project manager’s to-do-list. The Institute located at Hawke’s Bay Sports Park is on track for its open day on June 23.

EIT’s Deputy Chief Executive Mark Oldershaw stressed the Institute’s strong points which backed EIT’s decision to invest in the new facilities. “The Institute expands EIT by creating another state-of-the-art learning and teaching space. Here our students can learn how to run quality project based sport and exercise programmes and to conduct community centred research that will help improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Hawke’s Bay.”

Mr Oldershaw believes that everyone in the region will benefit from this considerable body of expertise – from individuals and communities, to elite athletes, the collective goal is to support people to “be the best they can be” – a key message reflected in the Institute’s slogan.

Classrooms, a postgraduate study space and a research centre including a sports science lab featuring specialist equipment will provide EIT staff and their students with the opportunity to develop and run innovative community focussed initiatives. 

Executive Dean for EIT, Professor Natalie Waran, is enthusiastic about adding a new chapter to EIT’s teaching and research portfolio. “The new Institute offers first-class research facilities and opportunities that will allow us to further develop community-centred research activities at EIT, ensuring that we contribute to providing evidence based solutions to help ensure the health and well-being of our communities,” Prof Waran says. “Essentially, our aim, through the work we do at the EIT ISH is to enrich and develop our community as well as retain and attract research excellence in Hawke’s Bay,” Prof Waran said.

The official opening of the Institute in July is just the first stage of the project, ultimately the Institute will be extended to include a community health and fitness centre as well as a multi-sport training facility.