Press Release: New manager at Coventry Sports Foundation’s Xcel Leisure

The new manager of aCoventryleisure centre might be tempted to shoot a few hoops in his new job.

Mark Taylor is qualified to pass on a few tips to the basketball teams on court at the Xcel Leisure Centre inMitchell Avenue, Canley, after playing for Swindon Sonics and National Trophy winning side the Oxford Devils in the 1990s.

Now, he has overall responsibility for all the leisure facilities as well as around 30 staff at the Coventry Sports Foundation-managed centre.

Mark said: “Coventry Sports Foundation is a forward-thinking organisation, which is about more than just sport.

“There is a dynamic, friendly atmosphere here and that attracted me to the role.

“My working life has been dominated by sport because I started playing senior men’s basketball when I was 14 and then I joined the national men’s circuit and played for 16 years after leaving school.”

After graduating from college where he studied recreation and leisure and business studies the 41-year-old was employed by Swindon Borough Council for ten years, graduating from lifeguard to duty manager.

Mark then moved into the hotel industry in 1999 and his jobs included overseeing the redevelopment of the golf, spa and gym facilities at the 440-acre Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire – the location of boot camp in the 2007 series of the X Factor and where the James Nesbitt drama Jekyll was filmed – and he then operated Oxfordshire’s largest privately owned club.

His last two jobs saw him work in the retail management industry for four years.

“For the last three years, I have wanted to move back into the leisure industry because of my experience and knowledge in the field,” he said.

“This is an exciting challenge and it is one I am relishing. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the staff and customers – so if any of our members see me at the Xcel they should come and introduce themselves.

“There are so many varied and interesting activities going on for people of all ages and if there is a basketball game going on, I might be tempted to shoot a few hoops!”  

For more information on activities at the Xcel Leisure Centre, log on to www.covsf.com.

Media Enquiries:

Simon Gilbert

Advent Communications

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