OUR STORY
Establised in 2007, Sports Tours Plus as the name suggests, specialise in sports supporters tours worldwide, ‘plus’ we arrange non-sporting holidays to most longhaul destinations.
We are a family run company dedicated to providing a high quality of service and attention to detail. To the best of our knowledge we are the only company in the UK who provide complete tailor made tours for sports supporters.
Australia and New Zealand are our passion and where it all begun. Over the years this has increased as regular clients have requested that we look after their travel arrangements for both business and pleasure so we have extended our knowledge to other destinations.
We now offer: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Far East, India, Sri Lanka, Caribbean, USA, Canada and South America. We are happy creating itineraries to suit all tastes and budgets. Not only have we travelled extensively to these destinations we are supported by very good network of specially selected ground handlers will look after you during your travels if required.
We use all major scheduled airlines and offer all classes of travel.
We are tourist board endorsed Australia and New Zealand specialists.
DEBBIE PALLANT – MANAGING DIRECTOR:
I spent the first 10 years of my career in retail travel, before taking a year long sabbatical to travel the world (which ended up being 2 years!). On my return to the UK I worked for an Australian tour operator who were just starting to operate cricket and rugby tours. My then boyfriend Paul was coaching cricket in South Africa and upon his return we soon married. I was lucky to be a tour leader for our cricket tours and my husband would often accompany me. After 13 years, in 2007 I left to start Sports Tours Plus with Paul working along side me in our accounts department.
I have always enjoyed sport and have been a life long supporter of Norwich City. Since having cricket thrust upon me on both the home and work fronts I have grown to love watching cricket too. My other interests include distance running and gardening.
PAUL PALLANT – MARKETING & TOUR MANAGER:
I initially trained as a draughtsman before moving into Purchasing and Production Management, but in 2007 we decided to set up our own company and Sports Tours Plus was born. I look after the marketing of the company and because, according to Debbie, I’m not allowed to get involved with sales, I always seem to be sent out as tour leader on our cricket tours! I have always played sport, mainly football, golf and cricket. To this day I still play club cricket but have cut it back to every Saturday and Sunday during the season, and on Wednesdays for Suffolk Over 50’s! I am also a qualified cricket coach, and spent some time in South Africa where I played/coached for a season. I guess this was the start of my love of cricket combined with travel during our winter months. I would like to play more cricket, and golf, but unfortunately I do have to work. My other hobbies are gardening and I’m also partial to a glass or two of red wine.
LORRAINE SIMSON – OPERATIONS MANAGER:
I first started working in the travel industry almost 34 years ago, when I joined Thomson Travel (now TUI). Since then, I have worked for UK tour operators both large and small, managed travel agencies and lectured at local sixth form colleges. I was originally part of the team at Sports Tours Plus from 2018-2021 and am delighted to be back.
I love travelling and aim to visit new destinations each year. A big sports fan, I particularly enjoy following tennis and have certainly learned a lot about cricket doing this job!
