Staff Profiles

Meet the Excelsior Team.

James Marshall: Owner

After working in the Health and Fitness Industry for several years, I set up Excelsior in 2002. I was studying for my MSc in Sports Coaching at Brunel University at that time and realised that I wanted to work with the Athletes directly; coaching being my passion.

I have worked with senior professional golfers, modern pentathletes and rugby union and league teams, but specialise in the development of youth athletes from 13-22 years old. I am also interested in Coach development for all sports coaches.

I competed in Shotokan Karate for 11 years, including 3 years on the senior England squad, retiring from competition after the 2004 World Championships in Tokyo. I subsequently trained in MMA and Boxing, but am now enjoying tennis.

Sarah Marshall: Chartered Physiotherapist.

I graduated from The University of Nottingham in 1996 with a Bsc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. I am now a highly skilled and experienced Physiotherapist with over 17 years of working in the NHS, private and sporting sectors.I currently provide the Physiotherapy Services for Excelsior.

I have extensive and general musculo-skeletal experience within the NHS treating the local public and recreational athletes. My previous role involved working as a Cinical Specialist, diagnosing and managing knee injuries/pathologies specifically within South Devon Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust.

I also have specific and comprehensive experience working with elite athletes. I particularly enjoyed my time working with London Welsh RFC and Exeter Chiefs RFC. I also have worked for England Hockey and England Karate.  A highlight of my career was providing Physiotherapy services to the athletes at the 2002 Commomwealth Games in Manchester.

When not being a Physiotherapist, I am a netball playing mother of two.

Carly James: Business Assistant (Part time).

Fran Low: Assistant Coach

Having spent the last four years as an undergraduate and a postgraduate at Exeter University (2006-2010) gaining a BSc and an MSc in Sport and Health Science. Wanting to use my academic knowledge and use it practically, I have now decided to pursue the very competitive career in performance sports, following my internship at Excelsior. Aside from my studies I still play and coach competitive hockey, am keen on Snowsports especially snowboarding and enjoy watching the X factor!

Matt Brookland: Assistant Coach

My name is Matt Brookland, I am originally from Jersey and I’m twenty-one years of age.  I am currently completing my Masters in Sports Science at the University of Exeter. I played many sports while growing up but have concentrated on football at University where I have played for the first team in the BUCS Southern Premier League as well as having held the position of President during the last academic year. I hope to represent the University at Futsal this year as well. I like to read sporting biographies in my spare time. 

Matt Durber: Assistant Coach

In 2009 I graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science. During my time in Bath I also gained professional experience working as a performance analyst with the England Rugby Union squad. Since leaving University I have been working in the fitness industry as a Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer, and have also worked with local Rugby and Gymnastics clubs coaching strength and conditioning. I enjoy playing Rugby in my free time and have represented Gloucester in the Premier ‘A’ Division.

Duncan Buckmaster: Assistant Coach

Having spent 5 years as a quantity surveyor in
London I chose to make a career change, starting a journey to become an athletic development coach. I spent a year working in a community gym with people wanting a variety of goals before I undertook my internship at Millfield School with James. For the last year I have worked with 13-18 year olds from a variety of sports including rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, squash and golf.  I have just started working with Olton & West Warwickshire Hockey club where alongside their lead coach and physio I will be improving their strength and fitness. In September I will be working with Oxfordshire tennis academy, where I will be introducing an athletic development programme to ages 10 plus.