Staff Profiles

Meet the Excelsior Team.

James presenting a workshop in Germany

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 coaching was my passion, not management.

I have worked with senior professional golfers, modern pentathletes, fencers and rugby union and league teams (including Great Britain Rugby League Under-18s, Under-16s, England Rugby Under-18s, Under-16s, London Welsh RFC, London Broncos RL, Exeter Chiefs RFC).

5 athletes from different sports I coached competed in London 2012, 4 in Rio in 2016. Many others have gained their International Caps whilst training with me or after.

I specialise in the development of youth athletes from 13-22 years old. I coach at our own club with gymnasts from 5-13, weightlifters from 13-51 and track and field athletes from 10-22.

I am also interested in Coach development for all sports coaches: I tutored the 1st4sport  S&C level 1-3 courses, tutored British WeightLifting’s Level 1. I run CPD events for teachers and coaches, as well as organisations such as as GAIN, Scottish Athletics and DAASM.

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 before my children took over.

I have recently competed in Masters Weightlifting, winning the British Championships twice and coming second in the 2023 Europeans.

Qualifications include UKSCA Accredited, NSCA CSCS*S, ACSM HFI, British Gymnastics Level 2 with FreeG, British Weightlifting Level 3, British Athletics: Athletics Coach, Level 1 Volleyball Coach, Diploma in Sport Psychology.

Sarah Marshall BSc(Hons) MCSP HCPC

Sarah Marshall

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 25 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. A previous role involved working as a Clinical 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  have worked as a Physiotherapist for London Welsh RFC and Exeter Chiefs RFC. I also have worked with England Hockey and England Karate.  A highlight of my career was providing Physiotherapy services to the athletes at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. More recently I have worked with both professional and recreational athletes who compete in Modern Pentathlon,Cycling and Triathlon.I have also provided a Physiotherapy Consultancy role to Willand Rovers FC.

When not being a Physiotherapist I am a mother of 2 children.I am a recreational runner and have recently started Weight lifting. I have a  Leadership in Running Fitness award with United Kingdom Athletics (UKA). I  also have a Level 1 coaching qualification in both Strength and Conditioning and Weight Lifting.