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Meet the TCL Sports Team
Click on the images of our team below for a larger picture and short biography.
TCL Sports was founded by Mike who has over 25 years of experience in Triathlon as both a professional triathlete and National Champion and a coach to elite triathletes. He is a former World 10km Masters Champion, former British Record Holder for Ironman, 10 Times National Japanese Triathlon Champion and an elite Triathlon Coach. Mike is now making a 'come back' juggling business with high performance sport. His ultimate aim is to become the first British man over the age of 45 to do a sub 30min 10k. We are all eagerly watching his progress!
Rieko had a good grounding in business, working in the toughest market in the world in Tokyo. She was a saleswoman for Japan TV before helping to form TCL Sports in 2005. Her official title is Company Secretary, although many think of her as the unofficial boss. On a daily basis she is looking at the finances and cash flow and working on strategic planning. Rieko was a very good swimmer as a child and at university started doing triathlon. Her tenacious character has helped her train and complete 3 Ironman triathlons, although her real passion is short distance pool swimming.
In 2008 Mike rowed his way into the record books by making the fastest recorded crossing to Antigua from La Gomera and the fifth fastest crossing of the Atlantic from East to West (37 days, 5hrs, 53 minutes). It was also the first, and will no doubt be the only, crossing by a five man crew. Mike is now rebuilding his body and putting the ground work in for another triathlon season. An aim of a sub 9.5hr ironman has been set and considering his performance pre-Atlantic, it is just a matter of time.
Steve joined the TCL Sports sales team in May 2009 after a 4 year stint working in the City and a previous background in engineering & sales. In 2006 he completed his first triathlon and 2 years later the Frankfurt Ironman. Aside from being hooked on triathlon, Steve is a keen snowboarder and skydiver. Targets for next year include; exponential sales growth at TCL Sports, a sub 2:55 London Marathon and some ultra running races if he can find the time.
Nick has been working with TCL Sports for a number of years and joined full time in September 2010 to manage TCL's ever-growing portfolio of websites and online marketing. With over 12-year's experience of internet marketing in a variety of vertical markets including telecoms, insurance and charity, Nick works with TCLs sales and marketing teams to ensure TCL's online presence delivers to our retail partners and customers. Nick is also a trustee of Tri4Japan, the UK registered charity set up by Mike and Rieko and manages the tri4japan.com website and online fundraising initiatives for the charity including the August 2011 eBay auction. Nick is a keen runner and looking to beat his 1:32 half marathon PB in early 2012. In 2011 he completed his first full marathon and first Olympic distance triathlon.
Lander came to the UK in August 2007 to learn English and run and ended up running TCL Sports logistics department! Nothing is allowed to move out of our warehouse without his authority. Lander also manages TCL Sports customer services. Those who talk to him regularly will appreciate just how good he has become at English in such a short time! Lander runs with the team regularly before work, although Mike is now finding the tables turned on him with Lander beating him in cross country races! Lander runs for Belgrave Harriers and his challenge for the summer is to run a sub 9 min 3,000m on the track.
Nick joined TCL Sports in 2010 to work within the logistical side of the company after graduating with a law degree from Cardiff University. He is a keen sportsman with a strong background in rowing but since hanging up his oar, he has taken a shine to ultra-endurance events and adventure racing. In the last couple of years he has cycled the length of Britain, rowed around Lake Geneva and competed in the Namibian 24 hour Ultra Marathon. This summer Nick will try his hand at Ironman and attempt to complete the energy-sapping Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, whilst completing a Masters in Medical Law and helping TCL Sports grow from strength to strength."
Matt used to compete as a junior for GB in modern pentathlon. After injury and a spell at university got back into training and started triathlon. Since then I have completed two Ironman's and the London marathon, and represented gb in my age group at the world champs in Vancouver. Goals for this year are to learn my new role at TCL complete another Ironman and do a 24hr mtb race.
Buster played rugby for 13 years with 113 league games for London WASPS first XV and the last three years as a professional. He has 2 England 'A' caps and 5 caps for Barbarians. He is an RFU Level 3 qualified coach and also a member of the RFU disciplinary panel for the past 6 years. Buster works with the TCL sales team to widen our brand's reach into new sports.
Rie plays a vital role in the TCL Sports team. Working part-time in the office she undertakes a very large proportion of those time consuming jobs and always ensures that the last minute dash to the post office is met. Joining the team early this year, Rie is never without a smile on her face and a spring in her step, bringing with her a little bit of sunshine every day. With a hidden competitive streak, Rie enjoys playing tennis with her friends on a regular occasion.
Justyna joined TCL in March and is very optimistic and organized. She loves to spend time with her friends and family and Amy! Her sports interests include playing tennis and basketball. In the future she looks forward to developing her skills towards her job role.
Matthew arrived in his current role at TCL Sports in 2011 via 9 years in the Army, 13 years in the Motor trade before moving into the world of multisport clothing and apparel. A former high level swimmer, he made the progression into Triathlon and has completed a number of Iron and Half iron distance races and open water swimming races up to 10k. For 2012, the focus will be on developing the 2XU compression range outside of Multi-sports and maybe fitting in an Ironman or two.
After a 3 year stint in the Commercial Property Brokering world in the City of London, Mark has joined TCL Sports as the Sponsorship Rep within the Sales Team. His job is to establish links and contacts into large sporting teams and clubs. Mark is also a keen triathlete, having picked up the sport in the 2010 following a sporting career as a field hockey player. Mark has completed all distances from Sprint to a full Ironman and next season will be focusing on the 70.3 distance.
John used to compete as a British junior swimmer in open water. Post university engineering degree, triathlon has been the pastime, competing at World and European age groups and completing 2 Ironman events. Targets for the year include learning to run properly, placing at the European age groups and driving sell through of products across the south.
Charlotte joined the TCL Sports Marketing Department in 2012 after graduating with a law degree and Masters from Oxford and Birmingham Universities. An experienced runner and triathlon novice, Charlotte's 2012 will be spent dealing with TCL Sports' advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and trying to run a sub-18 minute 5k.
To join the TCL Sports team, keep an eye on our
recruitment page where we advertise current vacancies.
Soon after the company's formation, it became clear that the biggest expansion area for Triathlon Consultants was via the importation and distribution of sports apparel. Since then they have attracted big names who are keen to work with them - and those brands continue to partner with TCL Sports today.
Since their arrival in the UK, Newton Running shoes have taken the triathlon community by storm, winning the 2009 'Innovative Product of the Year' and 2011 'Run Shoe of the Year' awards in the prestigious 220 Magazine annual Awards. The Newton Isaac has provided access for thousands of runners to transition to a more efficient and natural style of running, whilst the 
In 2010 Triathlon Consultants rebranded to become TCL Sports - a name change to reflect the broader market they are now serving. With the benefits of 2XU Compression being recognised by athletes, coaches and physios in many other sports including football, rugby, rowing and hockey it made sense to adopt a name that was more encompassing than triathlon alone. However, triathlon remains at the heart of TCL Sports.
TCL Sports distribute to an ever-growing national network of retailers throughout the UK. From major retail chains to family run local stores serving their communities as well as pure online retailers, our aim is to make TCL distribution brands available to everybody, however they choose to purchase their sports apparel.
