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My experience of the sports retail sector spans over 25 years and started in 1981 when I was employed by my local high street sports shop on a youth opportunities scheme sponsored by the government.

Entering the sports retail market was the best decision I ever made. I started as a sales consultant and progressed to management. In the mid 1990’s I started working in Piccadilly for what was known at the time as The World’s Finest Sports Store. It was quite simply the headquarters of sports retailing where a reputation had been built up across the world over a century, offering an unparalleled array of sports products. A former MD who had built and developed the business and was working part time in his more senior years took me under his wing and educated me on the business and the company traditions. This man had a huge impact on my career and built further my love of sport and the sports retail trade. Remarkably he retired in 1998 after serving 70 years in the company... read more

Traditional Sports - Owen playing Cricket

Traditional Sports - Owen playing Tennis

I travelled the country opening stores and ensuring that they upheld the company reputation and traditions.

I have been exceptionally lucky over the years to meet some interesting and very talented people as well as be introduced to various sports stars.

With a heavy heart I took the decision to leave the industry that I loved in 2005 because I was disillusioned with the direction the entire market was taking. Since then I have watched the sports retail market from the outside with great interest and a burning ambition to rebuild it.

I was fortunate to come from a sporting family and was therefore introduced to various traditional sports at a very early age. My childhood was spent playing traditional sports daily either in the garden or up in the park with my grandfather, father, brother and friends. This tradition has continued as I am now encouraging my two young children to explore and enjoy various sports.

In my teenage years I progressed to play representative Cricket for London Schools Cricket Association (LSCA) and toured Barbados with the first Eleven at the age of 16. Following the tour I had trials for the MCC Lords Ground staff. Football saw me get selected for trials with Southampton FC. My parents played a huge part in encouraging me to play all sports. My mother dedicated all her spare time to transporting my brother and I to training and matches. I enjoyed Tennis and competed in the Evening Standard junior tournaments and the Kent County junior tournaments. Other sports I have enjoyed participating in are Badminton, Golf, Squash, Table Tennis and the London Marathon which I completed in 3.56. However at the age of 18 after failing to progress into the professional arena I needed to find a career. I decided to work with sports products and therefore I entered the sports retail sector.

The sector I love is currently fragmented and non-existent in my opinion. It is failing to cater for people’s needs. This is the reason I have set this website up.

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