Sportstars Ltd
James Taylor, a graduate of the School of Pyschology at Cardiff University, completed his PGCE in 2004 and embarked on a new adventure! He established Sportstars in Feb 2005, a company providing sports coaching for children aged 4-12. Sportstars provides fun - based holiday sports coaching courses for children in over 15 different sports ranging from Football, Rugby and Cricket to Dance, Gymnastics and Cheerleading! In term time they also provide structured P.E. lessons in primary schools covering teachers compulsory time away from the classroom.
The business started after James had spent a Summer coaching in the UK after graduating and then travelled to Uganda and provided teaching support for a primary school. Following this, he went to America and coache football. On his return, he wanted to “continue doing what I love be successful and support myself”.
Sportstars started out focusing on the holiday courses and getting kids engaged in sports outside of school, but as the business has developed, the teaching in schools has actually turned into its main activity. In 2006, James won the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Wales.
Cardiff University asked James a few questions:
What is the secret of your success?
I am ambitious, set my goals high and have the heart to achieve them. I love what I do and employ the right people who follow the same dream. Yes, I want to make money and, yes, I want to grow my business – but I couldn’t do it without a passion for the subject. I have also created big fans out of my customers, so they act as ambassadors.
What does it feel like to be the boss of your own company?
Fantastic. The freedom to go on holiday when you want, start when you want, go to the gym in the middle of the day and decide what money you earn is great. I do things my own way and I know that the harder I work, the luckier I get.
How has Cardiff University helped you in your career?
I developed the company from my academic knowledge of child psychology and teacher training which I added to my coaching skills. It gave me a good overview. I was also supported by an entrepreneur scholarship from the Knowledge Exploitation Fund, which gives higher education institutions the funding to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. My full-time employees are either graduates of Cardiff University or the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, and my part-time staff are all undergraduates.
Sportstars started in South Wales and is now successfully expanding into other areas of the UK.