Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens visited Swansea University’s Simulation & Immersive Learning Centre (SUSIM) to gain first-hand insight into the groundbreaking work of the National Institute for Sport & Health (NISH).
The visit highlighted how simulation and immersive technologies are uniting sport‑tech and health‑tech to advance athletic performance, rehabilitation, and public wellbeing.
NISH, supported by Swansea Bay City Deal, NHS Wales and Swansea University, is a unique collaborative network uniting academia, healthcare providers, technology firms, and elite sports organisations. It offers adaptable spaces, specialist support programmes, and events designed to foster innovation and accelerate the growth of sport and health technology in the Swansea Bay City Region and beyond.
During the visit, Ms Stevens witnessed interactive demonstrations using SUSIM’s immersive simulations. These included high-fidelity training scenarios aimed at injury prevention, interactive rehabilitation programmes, and performance-enhancing protocols that blend artificial intelligence, motion tracking, and virtual reality.
The visit underscored the ambition of the NISH to bring together sport-tech companies, med-tech innovators, clinical teams, world-class researchers and sports organisations – creating an ecosystem that stimulates economic growth and improves health outcomes across the region.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Welsh universities have a great track record of producing research which has commercial benefits, growing our economy and creating high skilled, well-paid jobs.
“The groundbreaking work in sport and health at Swansea University is hugely impressive, and I’m delighted that the UK Government’s investment in Swansea Bay City Deal is helping build a network to deliver that innovation.”
Professor Charlotte Rees, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Secretary of State and showcase how immersive simulation is transforming sport and health technologies. Our vision is to connect the brightest minds across tech, academia, health, and sport – breaking down barriers and co-creating solutions that enhance athletic performance and support lifelong wellbeing. This visit reinforces our position as a leading hub for innovation in Wales, and beyond.”
SUSIM, with its £7 million suite of simulation rooms and immersive environments, provides a dynamic setting for NHS staff, sports practitioners and technologists to prototype and test advances in real-world contexts. From virtual rehabilitation clinics to simulated pitch-side medical scenarios, the facility is enabling early-stage experimentation and cross‑sector collaboration.
As a collaboration, NISH brings together leading figures from elite sport, healthcare, education, and technology to create an innovation-driven ecosystem. By connecting these key sectors, the Institute accelerates the development of cutting-edge solutions in areas such as performance enhancement, injury rehabilitation, and community health. Through its partnerships and shared expertise, the programme is shaping the future of sport and health technologies, driving both economic growth and positive health outcomes across Wales and the UK.
