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Head Coach: Gavin Love

Gavin Love’s career with the Plymouth Raiders stretched over 13 years, during which time, he established himself with a reputation as one of the top British point guards in the game.

He started playing within the Raiders development programme, competing for the club in various age restricted competitions, moving up to Raiders 2 and finally making the jump to the first team in the 1995.

Gavin attended the College of St Mark and St John, graduating in 2000. While at ‘Marjon’, Gavin played for the university team, captaining the team and leading them to domestic honours in the BUSA competition. In 2001, he was coach of the Marjon team who won BUSA and competed in the European University’s Championship.

When the Raiders made the jump to the BBL in 2004, Raiders Coach Gary Stronach was so confident in Gavin’s abilities to lead the team, that he handed Gavin the job of starting point guard – a role that is occupied by an American in most teams in the BBL.

In the four years that Gavin played in the BBL, he established a reputation for himself as a tough, gritty but talented competitor, leading the Raiders as Captain to the BBL Trophy in 2007. In the Summer of 2008, Team GB Coach Chris Finch invited Gavin to train with his squad, but because of a serious ankle injury, Gavin was unable to attend.

Gavin’s playing career was plagued with injuries, from a slipped disc in his back, to a ruptured Achilles tendon, but he always fought hard to overcome these and get back onto court to lead the team.

Gavin has been appointed as the Raiders Head Coach initially for 12 months, but both the Raiders and Love himself are excited about the future and the opportunities that will come from this appointment.

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Mark Cahill

Mark is a product of the Taunton Tigers basketball club, a late starter as a player at 16 years old. He developed quickly under the guidance of the Tigers’ coaches and regularly attended the Nike Basketball Camp held annually at Millfield School. It was through the camp system that Mark’s desire to improve as a player developed.

After leaving school, Mark attended the College of St Mark & St John where he played with a young Gary Stronach, Gavin Love, James Loveridge and many other talented players. At the end of his university studies he played two more seasons with Taunton Tigers. In 2000 he took a huge step in his development as a player, joining the Raiders, achieving what many players across the South West aspire to. This gave Mark the opportunity to really take his skills to the next level, developing him as a player year to year. It was during these years where his passion for strength and conditioning developed. Mark was always aware that his edge on the basketball court would come from his fitness and strength, and this realisation saw him working for countless hours in the gym as well as on court. Coaches that have worked with Mark will describe him as a team player willing to do whatever is required for his team to win.

Professionally Mark has worked at Ivybridge Community College for the past 8 years. The College has always been extremely supportive of his aspirations as a player and athlete. Across the 2007-2009 seasons, Mark worked with the Raiders as a conditioning coach putting his experience and qualifications as a fully qualified Strength & Conditioning Coach to good use, and pushing the players to reach consistent physical performance. The College proved to be an excellent venue to work with the athletes as the teams results improved across each season. Mark is delighted to once again have the support of the College to further his ambitions of the Raiders reaching a top 4 finish.