Role Profile: Tom Waller

Gaining the sporting upper hand through science and engineering.

College/University: Loughborough
Course: PhD Sports Technology, BEng Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Age: 28

What exactly do you do?
I have two roles based at Loughborough University, one of which is as a research associate. This means that I work on large projects as a postdoctoral researcher providing my expertise within sports technology and in this case footwear development.

I also have a commercial role. From the sports technology research group we’ve spun off a sports innovation company called Progressive Sports. The research group physically works like a PhD within the sports industry. Outside of that we often have our own ideas, so we set up a company (in 2001) to service the sports industry by creating new products with our own ideas which we then license to sports companies to generate revenue. Similarly, we can also now offer short-term commercial consultancy.

How many people who work in sports engineering have a ‘pure’ sports science background?
Originally, people typically had a background in design, engineering or product development and had an absolute passion for sports and wanted to tailor their knowledge to the sports industry. More recently though, we’re having to bring in people like pure sports scientists and designers. It’s growing as we become involved with more widespread projects.

Do you think the field of sports science and engineering will grow?
Yeah, I do. If you look at this historically in terms of research activities, it’s gone from only a couple of institutes (Loughborough being one of the main ones) to there being lots of academic institutes around the world that have taken courses like materials and gone on to specialise in sports. There are a couple now that offer materials with sports technology as a way of applying that.

The sports industry is still growing in their understanding. In terms of research that’s only going to get bigger as they try to outdo their competitors. At the moment physical technology is one of the key areas that they are looking at…what else can they sell in a shoe or a tennis racquet. You’re selling the features, and we’re supplying the features.
 
Everyone is now moving away from image-led marketing background, so if someone makes a claim now they want that claim to be solid. In terms of that, the requirements of people like me are growing.

Is there an even gender spread across the field?

Yes, there is a good presence of females.

How much direct contact do you have with athletes, and how do you find the experience?

On the whole, very rewarding. Different athletic groups tend to be very different and have different levels of how they communicate. Some think they will be the best in the world irrespective of what they put on their feet, some get really involved.

In general it’s a very positive experience, and it should be because it’s vital to have them involved. You can’t develop a product without the expert in that field.

In terms of the market, the way that the sports industry works is that there are certain ‘superstars’ around the world. If David Beckham were to wear a new football boot, then instantly that football boot is going to get more desirable.

Is there any particular area which you think will be particularly changed by the development of new technologies?

In terms of what I see at the trade shows and in terms of what the brands are asking for, it would have to be wearable technology. I wouldn’t nail that down to a particular sport. But, in terms of having a garment that can change and adapt itself to your levels of stress, that’s where I see the future.

What’s the most rewarding thing about what you do?

I know it’s a cliché, but I can’t believe how lucky I am to have been able to find my job as my hobby. I never dread going to work on a Monday morning. Because sports is associated with leisure, everyone has a different philosophy on life and that’s reflected in the work you see.

What do you do outside of work?

Obviously sports…I’m a triathlete. I also do events like Iron Man. I’m interested in technology and interior design and like shiny new things!

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