About

The story of Ardent Sports

Redefining the approach to sports infrastructure to deliver world-class performances

Ardent Sports was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: sports infrastructure should be built around people — their needs, their goals, their potential.

At the heart of this belief is founder Nick Smith, a former professional athlete and the visionary behind Ardent, whose journey from the playing field to project leadership has shaped the company’s distinctive approach.

Growing up in South Africa within a family steeped in both entrepreneurship and elite sport, Nick developed an early understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest level — and what kind of environments help make that possible. His years spent training, studying, and competing professionally gave him a unique perspective on the connection between space, culture, and performance.

Ardent Sports’ methodology is not just about buildings; our projects don’t start with blueprints or designs. Instead, we take a deeper dive into the needs and aspirations of clients and their key stakeholders to understand how a space needs to work, feel, and inspire. From there, we translate that insight into infrastructure that is not only functional, but enhances culture and performance.

The evolution of Ardent Sports from a small, founder-led company, to a recognised leader in sports infrastructure, is a remarkable story of innovation, commitment, and excellence.

Today, Ardent is home to a team of like-minded professionals, all with sporting backgrounds, who bring passion and precision to every project. By understanding the unique needs of each client and translating them into strategic infrastructure projects, Ardent continues to innovate and expand, quietly and resolutely leading the way in transforming sports infrastructure globally.