Thomas Baker

Experience

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  Oaklands College

  Sept 2012 - Aug 2018

  Basketball Coach and Performance Analyst
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  David Lloyd Leisure

  Jan 2013 - Sept 2013

  Children's Activity Co-ordinator

  David Lloyd is one of the most elite sport and leisure clubs around Europe, it has a global brand that is driven to achieve customer satisfaction by delivering a exceptional service.This Job role required a huge range of skills from member retention, customer satisfaction, budgeting and staff development to programming, brand consistency and health and safety trainingMy time as manager of the children’s department saw introduce a coach-mentorship programme in order to aid within staff development needs and lead to the following responsibilitiesManaged a team of 10 children's coaches and implemented a internal staff development process around coach mentoring.Consistently Delivered a high level Holiday Active brand revolved and highly successful children's party experience. I acted as Child Protection Officer for the Children’s Department also.I helped with achieving the wider business aims of higher member rates that use the sports departments family based products. In a 2 year period before I was appointed Children's Activity Co-ordinator, I also held the following roles at the club: Lead Children's Coach, Head of Basketball Programme, Multi-Sports Coach, Children’s Party Coordinator and Receptionist Show less

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  Basketball England

  Sept 2013 - Sept 2017

  Head Coach positions for East Region u17 Girls (2013-15) and u15 Boys (2016-Present) programmes, My main duty was to get players selected from the East Regions squad into the Basketball England national teams squads. I would lead camps and sessions in preparation for the regional tournament in Nottingham/Manchester. The training camps followed the guidelines outlined from the BE Area of Emphasis document, and was focused around ensuring our athletes can step into the national team environment and pursue excellence. Working with a collection of coaches from whom I had appointed, we work meticulously to ensure that the whole athlete was developed within a holistic approach. Show less Over a 2-year period I was involved with several National Team age group camps and tournaments. These have involved me being a Performance Analyst for the u17 New Horizons Men’s team who competed in the Manchester Harris tournament in December 2013. This experience helped me understand what was required of a National Teams Performance Analyst. Following on from this, I was appointed England U18 Women’s Performance Analyst; this consisted of several camps across the year that led into the 2014 & 2015 U18 Women’s European Championships in Romania. My roles consisted over breaking down game footage, scouting oppositions and putting together highlight tapes for our national team athletes, as well pulling data from post-game stats and feeding back to coaching staff information obtained. Show less

  • East Region Performance Coach

    Mar 2013 - Sept 2017

  • Performance Analyst

    Sept 2013 - Aug 2015
• 

  University of Hertfordshire

  Aug 2016 - Jun 2017

  Head Men's Basketball Coach

  As Head coach of the Men's Basketball team at University of Hertfordshire I aim to provide an environment that facilitates learning through athlete ownership which leads to increased levels of performance. Working closely with the Strength and Conditioning, Physiotherapy and Performance Analysis departments, everything is structured around ensuring performance behaviours are obtained. Set parameters and principles are agreed above collectively then all involved are held accountable for their actions. This approach is crucial and integral to the success of the athletes and the success of the basketball brand at the University of Hertfordshire. Show less

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  Essex & Herts Leopards Basketball Club

  Apr 2017 - Jul 2020

  Head Basketball Coach

  Essex and Herts Leopards Head Coach. Competing in Basketball England NBL Snr Men D1

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  Oaklands Wolves Basketball

  Jul 2020 - May 2021

  Head Basketball Coach
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  Oaklands College

  Sept 2021 - Oct 2023

  Spearheaded the management and growth of multiple sports academies, demonstrating leadership in curriculum development, student engagement, and achievement.Successfully managed a substantial budget, with a contribution rate back to the organisation.Led initiatives to drive student recruitment, resulting in a consistent upward trend over three years.Provided supervision, support, and professional growth opportunities for over 40 staff members, fostering a positive and inclusive working environment. Show less

  • Academy Team Manager

    Sept 2022 - Oct 2023

  • Lecturer in Sport and Public Services

    Aug 2016 - Sept 2023

  • Teacher Trainer

    Sept 2021 - Sept 2022

  • Quality Improvement Facilitator

    Sept 2021 - Jul 2022
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  Playbook Performance Consulting

  Feb 2023 - now

  CEO & Co-Founder

  As CEO and Co-Founder of Playbook Performance Consulting, I lead and manage the consultancy's operations and services, focusing on:Leadership and Performance Development for elite sports teams, athletes, and clubs with a specific focus on performance execution in team-based sports.Project Management and Strategic Planning in elite sports coaching and club development, encompassing budgeting, performance management, and long-term planning.Holistic Leadership Development, integrating skills, strategies, and personal growth for leaders operating in high-pressure environments.Financial and Strategic Management to ensure sustainability through effective budgeting and resource allocation strategies.Digital Presence Management, including website design and the implementation of targeted social media strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement.Recruitment and Talent Development, overseeing staff recruitment and retention to drive organisational success and exceed performance metrics.Key AchievementsDeveloped and Executed Leadership Programs that improved performance and decision-making for elite coaches and athletes in high-stakes sports environments.Led Successful Strategic Initiatives that optimised budgeting and resource allocation for multiple elite sports organisations, contributing to long-term financial sustainability.Delivered High-Impact Project Management in executing large-scale organisational projects, including athlete and club development, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.Increased Brand Presence through effective website design and social media strategy execution, contributing to increased client engagement and growth in new business. Show less

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  Oaklands College

  Nov 2024 - now

  As Head of Academies, I am responsible for leading the strategic development and overall management of Oaklands College's sports academies. My role focuses on:Developing and managing sports academies to drive growth, student recruitment, and success.Overseeing sports facilities management to ensure they meet evolving performance and educational demands.Fostering a high-performance culture, supporting the development of coaches and athletes to maximise their potential.Ensuring financial sustainability through effective budgeting, commercial strategies, and alignment with college objectives.Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with professional sports teams and industry organisations to enhance opportunities for students.Key AchievementsGenerated Over £4 Million in Income via student recruitment, demonstrating a successful growth strategy in student engagement and academy visibility.Developed a Multi-Million £ Sports Facility Masterplan, including a new sports arena, indoor training facilities across multiple sports.Contributed Budget Back to the College by implementing effective financial management and ensuring that the academies remained financially sustainable while aligning with the college’s broader goals.Increased Commercial Revenue through enhanced commercial strategies and optimised use of sports facilities.Secured Strategic Partnerships with professional sports teams and external organisations, providing pathways for students to transition into professional sports and increasing the academies’ prestige and recruitment. Show less Lead strategic vision, financial sustainability, and operational management of the team, collaborating closely with the GM to align with league objectives.Work with the GM and Head Coach on recruitment, and player development, building a high-performing roster to achieve competitive targets. Co-develop sponsorships and partnerships, driving revenue growth through corporate deals, ticket sales, and enhanced fan engagement.Collaborate with the GM and other key stakeholders on marketing strategies, boosting brand visibility, community presence, and fan loyalty through targeted outreach.Oversee game-day operations and fan experience with the GM, ensuring excellent standards at events.Partner with the GM on budgeting and financial planning, ensuring efficient resource allocation and long-term sustainability.Ensure compliance with league standards, player safety protocols, and financial reporting, fostering a culture of accountability and performance. Show less

  • Head of Academies

    Oct 2023 - now

  • Managing Director of Oaklands Wolves Super League Basketball

    Nov 2024 - now