About

Founder's Story

Hi, I’m Mark Upton.

I founded ShootXP based on a lifetime of playing, and professional roles in, sport. My interest in basketball was sparked in southern Australia as a 10 year old going to watch the Mt Gambier Pioneers, and then consolidated after being gifted ‘Michael Jordan’s Playground’ a few years later (on VHS tape!). I played in club and recreational settings over the next 20+ years. Now I facilitate sessions for kids/youth players, whilst my son and partner participate as players and referees…so I observe a LOT of basketball at all levels.

Professionally, I’ve worked in a variety of roles with pro team sports, institutes of sport, governing bodies of sport and social enterprise. Being something of a neo-generalist , ShootXP represents an alchemy of my experiences and understanding in player development, coaching, coach development, leadership, team dynamics, skill acquisition, analytics, technology, innovation, and organisational change.

I’m so looking forward to partnering with basketball people and organisations who aspire to reimagine their player development environments.

Maybe that’s you?

What People Say About Mark…

“Learned more about coaching in 4 months from Mark than in 15 years coaching basketball. Anticipating his keynote at the Global Sportstec Innovation Conference”

Mike Willard

Basketball Coach & Director @ Hudl

“I have had the good fortune to know Mark for some time. I am fascinated by his polymath understanding of performance”

Professor Keith Lyons

Former Head of Performance Analysis @ Australian Institute of Sport

“For anyone interested in advanced learning about coaching then Mark is one of the best in the business. In the entire world. Seriously."

Nick Levett

Head of Coaching @ UK Coaching

For coaches not seeing translation from practice to game follow Mark - definitely changing how I approach practice at Riddell

Andrew Baillie

Coach @ RA Riddell Basketball Academy

“Mark has shared one of the best guides to practice design I’ve seen. His 4-corner matrix is really clear”

Pavl Williams

Coach & Coach Educator

“Mark will be a very knowledgeable panelist and a perfect addition to our Sports Performance Masterclass. He is a hugely successful and highly experienced figure in the sports industry”

Michael Cunnah

Chairman @ iSportconnect

“Here are three clips from the most influential podcasts we have done, ones that have changed the way I coach, with @KrisVDHaegen, @uppy01 (Mark) and @PDScoach”

John O'Sullivan

Founder @ Changing the Game Project