Kieran Coyle is the owner/founder of the award-winning global sports tour operator Premiership Experience, a company working in partnership with some leading brands in the world of sport to deliver memorable experiences for schools, clubs and many more organisations. Having played football to a professional level, he started the business aged 19 and has grown it to become an international brand with offices in the UK, China & Middle-East. As a business and sportsman, fan and footy aficionado, Kieran provides Sports Travel Media a unique insight into his company and his sports travel mind set.
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What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why?
With the fast paced nature of my day to day, when I go on holiday it is normally to relax. However, I like to experience as much as I can of the destination particularly when there are unique or special activities to engage in. A few spring to mind such as – Diving in the Great Barrier Reef, deep sea fishing in Barbados, zip lining & abseiling in Hawaii. All unique activities in some very special places.
What was the best sporting venue you had a chance to compete in or visit through your company and why?
I’ve been fortunate to visit many leading venues in world sport but one that sticks in the mind was the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich & Chelsea at the Allianz Arena a number of years back. It was a classic final in a very impressive stadium with first class hospitality. Outside of football the buzz of the Wimbledon Championships is really impressive and love that we’ve been able to provide many young children with the opportunity to experience it.
If you could choose one adrenaline or adventure activity to do on holiday what would it be and where?
I’ve always liked the idea of climbing a famous mountain so one day in the future I’m sure I’ll challenge myself to do something like Kilamanjaro…Everest however, I think I’ll leave to the pros! Short term I’ve never Sky Dived before so would like to do that next time I’m in Dubai or somewhere that’s well known for it.
What’s the ultimate sporting tournament you would attend purely as a fan and/or spectator and why?
I’ve never been to a World Cup (football) before, so I would like to attend one and properly take in the whole experience. To be able to mix with so many different cultures in one place, where everyone is united by a common interest is pretty special. For me the host nation also plays a huge role in creating that atmosphere, so somewhere like Brazil in 2014 would have been amazing but I’m sure I’ll get to enjoy one in due course.
Premiershipexperience.co.uk gives groups of varying ages unique Sports Travel opportunities, did you have this chance growing-up?
I was fortunate that my uncle (Owen Coyle) managed in the Premier League for several years, so when I wasn’t playing myself I was able to travel down with family and watch the elite of the Premier League up close and go behind the scenes which others wouldn’t have been able to. Being honest this was what led to Premiership Experience being set up, as I wanted to provide children with that special feeling and amazing memories by allowing them to watch, train and learn at some the world’s biggest clubs. Almost 10 years later we are taking 15,000+ people annually to the leading organisations in global sport (not just football) and have offices in the UK, Middle East & China.
As the MD of Premiershipexperience.co.uk and earlier years as a pro-footballer you must have travelled widely, does any specific country impress you through their ‘sport tourism’ offering (venues/ activities/ natural landscape)?
I think every country has its own unique charms and amenities that make it special in its own way. My favourite from a footballing perspective has always been the Netherlands; primarily because their attitude to the game from grassroots level through to the leading professional clubs is so refreshing. They are continually looking to improve and have a natural intelligence and energy which you can see translates to the players from an early age. I think the achievements of Ajax last season with such a young squad is testament to that. They also have outstanding facilities in the Netherlands from training complexes to transport infrastructure.
Another worthy of mention is America, firstly because they always put on a show around sporting events, starting several hours ahead of the game, which continues during the event itself and of course carries on afterwards. However, they are also very efficient, I remember being at Madison Square Gardens one time for a New York Knicks (basketball) game and as one set of fans were exiting, a new set, the New York Rangers (Ice Hockey) fans, were entering into the same arena; literally the floor changed from a hard court to an ice rink, with kick-off taking place a short time thereafter. There was also a concert on that night!
For a full run down of Premiership Experience products and services click on: www.premiershipexperience.co.uk
Visual the brand through Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/premiershipexperience