Based in Derby, the Sales and Marketing team is the lifeblood of Teamlink Sports Tours. What they don't know about touring isn't worth knowing, following extensive destination visits and escorting our tours around the continent with regularity. They work tirelessly with every customer to create bespoke packages suited to touring teams’ budgets and sporting needs.

Mark Gardner - Managing Director

Nickname: Sparkie / MSG
Sport: Triathlon / Marathon / Mountaineering
Favourite Team: Wales (rugby)
Number of Sports Tours:  100 (and counting...)
Best Touring Destination: Argentina, closely followed by Sri Lanka
Random Fact: On January 9th 2008 I was stood higher than any other man or woman on this planet!
Teamlink Top Tip: Life skills are gained from travelling. What fun do you have putting your money into savings?

'Mark is happiest when escorting groups overseas or climbing a mountain in an unpronounceable region of deepest, darkest Kyrgyzstan! Beginning life at Teamlink 12 years ago, Mark has progressed through the ranks to lead the company into its 13th touring season and oversees all company operations'

Mike Rollason - Sales Manager

Nickname: Brummie / Rol
Sport: Rugby and Cricket
Favourite Team: Leicester Tigers
Number of Sports Tours: Too many to remember
Best Touring Destination: So many to choose from. ..probably Berlin
Random Fact: I play the trumpet and have appeared in a video with Madness!
Teamlink Top Tip: The early bird catches the worm. Get organised and collect deposits pre-season to get the best deals

"Mike caught the eye of Teamlink management whilst undertaking the tour leader position whilst studying at Aberystwyth University. His organisational skills on their rugby tour to Greece led to a job offer in our Club Tours Division, a department he is now managing in his fifth season with us."

Natalie Lebeter - Marketing

Nickname: Natty
Sport: Basketball and Running
Favourite Team: Ilkeston Outlaws, of course!
Number of Sports Tours: 13
Best Touring Destination: Chicago
Random Fact: I LOVE Take That
Teamlink Top Tip: No excuses for not touring! A decent fundraising plan will pay for the lot

"Nat is enjoying her third season with Teamlink and has taken on the company’s Marketing responsibilities, including the maintenance and uptake of our websites and designing our departmental brochures. A basketball player by trade, Natalie travels to the States with our school groups as part of our association with the Chicago Bulls and, by all accounts, is the driving force behind the recent Take That reunion."

Ben Sheppard - Sales and Marketing

Nickname: Scouse or Sheppard
Sport: Football and Golf
Favourite Team: Liverpool FC
Number of Sports Tours: 5
Random Fact:  Won the 2007 Bromborough Junior Open and the 2008 GM Edwards Trophy
Teamlink Top Tip: Don't forget your toothbrush!

"As a true Scouser Ben adds yet another unique accent to the Teamlink office! When he’s not in Liverpool Ben is studying Event Management at Sheffield Hallam University and is part of the Teamlink team this season for his Placement Year. As a footballer and golfer, word on the street is that Mark has challenged him to a round – watch this space!"

Todd Bullions - Marketing

Nickname: Bodd
Sport: Rugby Union
Favourite Team: Leicester Tigers / Queensland Reds
Number of Sports Tours: 4
Best Touring Destination: Porthcawl!
Random Fact: 2011 Mel Williams Touch Rugby Cup Winner
Teamlink Top Tip: Don’t forget your towel!

“Todd joins Teamlink from Leeds Metropolitan University as part of our annual Gap Year Placement Programme. Todd has enjoyed rugby tours in the exotic climates of Bognor Regis & South Wales and is looking forward to expanding his list of touring destinations. Focusing on the Sales and Marketing side of the organisation, Todd is eager to learn from the experienced members of Staff at Teamlink Sports Tours.”

Beth Thomasson - Sales and Marketing

Nickname: Beth / Wakey!
Sport: Football
Favourite Team: Leeds United FC
Number of Sports Tours: 2
Best Touring Destination: Austria
Random Fact: I worked as a PR in Kavos, Corfu; amazing experience!
Teamlink Top Tip: Don’t forget your camera! Tour is the perfect opportunity to fill your Facebook with crazy pictures!

“Beth is completing her first year at the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Metropolitan University. As a Football Girl she is looking forward to getting back into a competitive environment”.

Andy Matthews - Sales and Marketing

Nickname: Andy / Farmer
Sport: Tennis
Favourite Team: Manchester United FC
Number of Sports Tours: 2
Best Touring Destination: Spain
Random Fact: I’m from the West-Country and don’t have the accent!
Teamlink Top Tip: Relish every second of sleep you get on tour, you will need it!

'Andy is another excellent undergraduate from the Leeds Metroplitan University Event Management treadmill who is spending his internship working with our Sales & Marketing team.  When not day dreaming about tractors and Somerset corn fields, Andy likes nothing better than to dress up as his namesake 'Murray' and work his way up various Derbyshire tennis ladders.'

Chris Barnett - Sales and Marketing

Nickname: Barn or Villa
Sport: Football
Favourite Team: Aston Villa
Number of Sports Tours: 5
Best Touring Destination: Berlin
Random Fact: In the summer of 2010, I spent a season working as a PR rep in Ayia Napa
Teamlink Top Tip: Spending money and a passport are the number one essentials

"Chris has recently graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in Business Studies. Being a keen footballer he is eager to get involved with all things football here at Teamlink. Having been on many football tours, Chris is fully aware of the essentials for any football tour!"

Ross Griffiths - Sales and Marketing

Nickname: Rosco
Sport: Rugby
Favourite Team: Worcester Warriors
Number of Sports Tours: 7
Best Touring Destination: Australia
Random Fact: I am a qualified masseuse
Teamlink Top Tip: Don't forget your Speedos, and maybe your passport.

"Ross is a keen tourist having travelled to a list of destinations with his club, school, and university sides.
Being a Tour Leader himself in the past he is knows the pressures that every tour organiser faces. This is what sparked his interest in working for Teamlink and he has proved to be a valuable member of the team since his start in September. His main sport is Rugby, however he has dabbled in a variety of sports in the past, his newest venture being Cheerleading!"