Michelle Oxley - Development Manager

I graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Social Anthropology and Sociology and moved to London to begin my career in television as a researcher before moving into the Publishing industry where I worked in events and marketing, including organising award shows and then later producing European conferences, forums and seminars.

After 6 years in London I relocated to Oxfordshire to join the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership Core Team in October 2006 as a senior manager. I have been working in my role as Development Manager ever since, helping to raise the profile of sport and physical activity in the county and encouraging more people to get more active. During my time here I have undertaken some postgraduate studies and gained the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing.

I returned from maternity leave last year and now work part time. My role focuses on strategic marketing and communications, media, and overseeing business administration and finance.

My sport of choice is swimming because it gives me some meditative time out, helps me de-stress plus I love the "feel good" feeling you get after completing a swim. I'm returning to sport/activity after some time out, and my current goal is to swim 3 miles a week - which is going to plan at the moment. I've also started Pilates to help improve my core and back strength.

I do not regard myself as ‘sporty’ or competitive but more focused on keeping myself fit and trying to better myself rather than trying to beat other people. I have always tried to set challenges for myself including the 24 mile Moonwalk (very tiring!), 10k run (I hate running!), lots of 5k race for life’s. Having watched the Olympics and Paralympics and feeling inspired, one idea that is going on my bucket list is to take part in a Triathlon just to see how far I can push myself.