Pictured: Mark Taylor, centre manager at the Coventry Sports
Foundation- managed Xcel Leisure Centre
The new manager of a Coventry leisure 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 in Mitchell 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!"