I've been a worldwide specialist tour operator for over 20 years and I have never been prouder than I am here, leading our fantastic worldwide team at MasterClass. My introduction to the group, and specifically school travel, started when I lived and worked in mainland Europe for over 10 years. Looking after tens of thousands of customers arriving each year, gave me an outstanding insight into what a customer’s needs are and exactly what service level we need to achieve to exceed their expectations. In the six years I’ve been at MasterClass Sports Tours, we’ve worked as a team to develop our outstanding Sports Tours even further and in doing so, we have become the most reliable and trusted operator in our market. And frankly, I’ve never enjoyed myself more.

Being able set the standards in delivering phenomenal sports touring experiences, is a great privilege - and I am very excited to be able to achieve this through MasterClass.

Favourite sporting destination

I have loved every time I’ve been lucky enough to go to Twickenham or The Kennington Oval

Favourite personal sporting moment

Being voted Sports President of my University

I joined MasterClass in 2013 as a Sales Executive after finishing my law degree at Cardiff University. I absolutely love travelling and sport, and so being able to bring those two things together every day is fantastic! I’ve tried my hand at most sports over the years, captaining my school in rugby and cricket and also spent a year as a sports reporter on the radio in Cardiff, including live rugby commentary from the Millennium Stadium, picking up a national award along the way.

Favourite touring destination

For the facilities, competition and guaranteed warm reception, it would have to be Holland!

Favourite personal sporting moment

Captaining my school on rugby tour in South Africa, and having a kick around with Alan Shearer as Newcastle mascot when I was a kid.

Favourite moment at MasterClass

Has to be seeing all the MasterClass events in full swing - so rewarding every time!

I have now worked in the schools sports travel market for over TWENTY years - having started as a young and enthusiastic sales executive back in 1998 - how time flies by when you are having fun!

Before embarking on a career in sports travel, I took a year out to play cricket in Melbourne when I was 19 years old. When the season ended in April, I then backpacked my way around the rest of Australia, New Zealand and then onto Indonesia. This is when the travel bug really got me.

After spending three years at the University of Leeds and getting a degree in Sports Science and Physiology, I was elected as the sports officer. From there I joined Gullivers Sports Travel and in my career I have been lucky enough to travel extensively around the world to promote sports tours for all ages and to lead groups. Some of my favourite places include St Lucia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Since the consolidation of the major school sports brands over the last few years – Edwin Doran, Gullivers and Masterclass all come under my remit and I am proud to head up Masterclass Sports Tours offering high quality, high value and inclusive sporting experiences for school students in all the major sports.

In my very little spare time with 2 very energetic children, I do turn out for Gloucester City Hockey club in the Winter and in the summer I play cricket for Kingsholm CC – just to keep my hand in and to satisfy that competitive streak!

If you are looking for a high quality tour for your school – then do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Since a very young age sport has always been a large part of my life either as a player, spectator or coach. After completing a degree at Writtle College, I spent 2 years in Canada coaching football at College and senior level. This was a great experience where I met some fantastic people and made some great friends. During my time I got to visit many of the sights on offer including the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Niagara Falls. Upon my return to the UK, I spent some time coaching with the Arsenal Soccer Schools, before joining the Sports Travel industry in 2005.

My job as Sales Area Manager has taken to me to some fantastic and exotic destinations, such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Barbados, Grenada and back to Canada, as well as many European destinations closer to home like Barcelona, Malta, Biarritz and many more

As I got a little older I changed sport and played rugby for my local team, enjoying the social side as a player, and while injury has now forced me to stop playing I enjoy supporting with my little boy who, like me, has a passion for sport and he is now playing week in week out. I am always keen to go on tour either as a tourist or a rep, and always look forward to exploring new destinations.

I joined Masterclass in September 2018 as an Operations Executive after graduating with a Psychology degree from Trinity College, USA. Sport has always been a big part of my life, so being able to incorporate that in to my everyday work is amazing. Squash is my main sport, but I also do a lot of running and love watching live sport.

Favourite personal sporting moment

Captaining the Trinity Men’s Squash Team to its 17th National Championship and my 3rd in 4 years. We hosted the finals and having my friends and family there to watch it was really special.

Favourite travel experience

White Water Rafting in the Tara Canyon in Montenegro

I have worked all my life in travel but was very lucky to work overseas for 12 years with First Choice Holidays and then with TUI Travel. I started off as a Holiday Representative prior to moving over to Health & Safety. Since joining MasterClass, t’s been great fun and very rewarding being able to safeguard all of the amazing experiences which we create for young people across the UK to enjoy in so many incredible destinations.

Favourite sport

Tennis

Favourite travelling experience

Flying in a 6 seater aircraft into the canyon to see Angel Falls

I have only recently joined the lovely team here at Masterclass, arriving in early autumn 2018. Before this, I studied Sport Management at Loughborough University, where I got involved with just about any sport they had on offer and absolutely loved it there

After graduating, I decided to embark on a ski season in order to soak up the beautiful mountains before searching for a career in sport! Sport and travelling are my two genuine passions so to combine both and call it a job is a dream!

Favourite touring destination

Spain all the way! Playing sport in the sunshine, do I need to say more?..

Favourite personal sporting moment

Hard to choose but winning the BUCS league with my university basketball team and getting promoted was genuinely one of the best feelings ever!

Favourite moment at MasterClass

Sitting down with the teachers on the last night and reminiscing about the tour they highly praised, it was a moment I will reminisce about for a long time/