Finley joined Burleigh Travel after gaining hands-on experience within the sports travel industry during his time at university. Growing up in a sports-mad family, sport has always been a huge part of his life, whether playing, watching or travelling to experience it. As a lifelong Liverpool supporter, one of his earliest sporting memories was watching the 2005 Champions League Final against AC Milan, a match that cemented his passion for football from a young age.

Throughout his childhood, Finley played a wide range of sports, although football and cricket were always his main focus. He represented Gloucestershire in youth cricket and played football for a number of clubs including Cirencester Town, Reading and Forest Green Rovers. One of his proudest sporting achievements came whilst playing for Cirencester Cricket Club, where he finished as the club’s leading wicket-taker in both 2017 and 2018 and received an award from former Gloucestershire captain Chris Dent.

His passion for sport led him to study Sports Management and Coaching at the University of Bath, where he spent four years making the most of the university’s excellent sporting facilities. Alongside playing university cricket, Finley worked at the Students’ Union bar, gaining plenty of stories and experiences while balancing work and study throughout his degree.

During his time at university, Finley’s interests expanded into winter sports. After teaching himself to ski, he quickly became hooked and, following graduation, spent six months in Val Thorens working as a chalet host. This gave him the opportunity to ski virtually every day whilst living and working in one of Europe’s most famous ski resorts. One particularly memorable adventure involved skiing from Val Thorens all the way to Courchevel Le Praz, only to discover the lifts had closed due to poor weather, leaving him and his friends to figure out how to get back!

Finley’s interest in sports travel began during his third year at university when he joined Inspiresport, working on sporting tours across the UK and Europe, including ski tours with Inspireski. These experiences confirmed his passion for the sports travel industry and eventually led him to Burleigh Travel. After initially assisting with Burleigh’s rugby festivals, he joined the team full time and has not looked back since.

What Finley enjoys most about sports travel is helping groups create experiences that they will remember for years to come. A visit to the London 2012 Olympic Games inspired him to pursue a career in the industry after seeing first-hand the impact that major sporting events can have on those attending. He particularly enjoys working closely with clients to ensure every tour is tailored to exactly what they are looking for and becomes a truly memorable trip.

Away from work, Finley still plays football regularly, enjoys running and spends much of his spare time following sport. He is also a keen skier and traveller, having visited destinations across Europe, North and South America, Australia and beyond. A particular highlight was travelling around South America, where he combined skiing, hiking and exploring Patagonia before fulfilling a lifelong ambition of watching a football match at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Finley is currently training for the 2027 London Marathon whilst raising money for the Medical Research Foundation. Looking ahead, Japan sits firmly at the top of his travel wish list, combining two of his favourite things: skiing and exploring somewhere completely new.

“Kitzbühel has to be my favourite sports tour destination. It’s an incredible resort with stunning scenery, fantastic skiing and a real sporting heritage. Being able to ski the famous Hahnenkamm downhill run is a special experience and one that any sports enthusiast should have on their bucket list.”

“Visiting the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. As a huge football fan, getting the chance to watch a match in one of the world’s most iconic stadiums was an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of my travels around South America.”