Q&A: Does Sports Xtra Franchise in the UK?

Sports Xtra delivers fulfilling children’s fitness sessions and has become the UK’s leading provider of sports and physical activities for kids aged 2 to 12 years old. It could offer a great opportunity to start running your own business - but does Sports Xtra franchise?

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This fitness business encourages children to get outside and find enjoyment in physical exercise and teamwork. It runs all kinds of games sessions across the UK, from football and rugby classes to fun ‘adventurer’ sessions designed for kids who don’t like traditional sports.

Does Sports Xtra franchise?

Yes - Sports Xtra is a children’s franchise with a twist. It has a cost-effective and flexible business model offering an alternative for entrepreneurs who don’t want the expense and commitment associated with a typical franchise.

While Sports Xtra started out with much higher franchise fees, it’s since identified a different way to help investors develop high-quality businesses. The company is still as passionate as ever about encouraging children to live an active lifestyle, but it’s moved away from the traditional franchise model. Now, it focusses on the person delivering the coaching, rather than the franchise system itself, saving investors a significant amount of money.

Sports Xtra also offers a “white label” franchise opportunity. So, if you’d like to use its premium products and infrastructure without working under its brand, you can.

History of Sports Xtra

The business was established in 2002 by Loughborough and Cambridge University graduate, Gareth Lippiatt. He started out as a freelance coach working in two different Cambridgeshire primary schools, before deciding to launch his own business.

Today, the franchise has a network of 50 franchisees across the UK and Asia, delivering fun and effective children’s sports classes. Here in Europe, you’ll find Sports Xtra franchisees in South Wales, Bridgend, Reading and Basingstoke.

The business’s aim is to give all pupils the chance to enjoy physical activity, which is why it offers some different types of services, such as the ‘spy’ and ‘adventurer’ sessions. At the heart of Sports Xtra is the franchisees’ dedication to boosting children’s happiness, wellbeing and self-esteem through physical activity. And each session highlights the importance of concentration, teamwork and personal management to help participants improve their skills.

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Starting a Sports Xtra franchise unit

If you’re interested in running a business with part-time hours but the potential to generate full-time earnings, the Sports Xtra franchise model could be ideal for you.

Sports Xtra is looking for people who are passionate about teaching children the importance of physical activity and providing a high-quality service. Successful candidates will also be dedicated to building and developing their franchise unit.

On top of these attributes, you’ll also need excellent communication skills, ambition and determination. Sports Xtra will teach you the rest once you invest in its exciting business opportunity.

We provide premium brand partnerships, business training, mentoring, teaching resources and weekly guidance - everything you need to be successful —Sports Xtra

Becoming a Sports Xtra franchisee:

When you join the Sports Xtra franchise network, you’ll run your own business on a self-employed basis, rather than working set hours. It’s up to you how fast you develop your unit.

Within Sports Xtra’s new cost-effective fee structure, there are no set franchise territories, as the business firmly believes in providing a quality service over limiting franchisees to specific postcodes.

Whether you hire large teams of staff or not, you’ll need to be present at every session to uphold the brand standards and make sure quality doesn’t slip.

Also, rather than attend initial and ongoing training programmes at a fixed location, you’ll learn the skills needed to run your franchise unit via an e-learning platform. This makes the onboarding process more flexible, manageable and cost-effective.

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How much you need to invest:

Sports Xtra’s funding scheme works slightly differently to other franchises. You’ll be asked to pay an initial fee of £600, which covers your starter pack and the first three months of licence fees.

Once you’ve been in business for three months, you’ll move onto the standard rate of £149 per month. This fee covers your continuous professional development training, which, alongside other perks, gives you the chance to take part in three one-day workshops every year.

After your Sports Xtra franchise unit is up and running, you can access earnings from £60 per hour up to thousands of pounds per day. Some of the business’s most established licensees generate almost £100,000 over the summer holidays.

What you get for your investment:

Before you get your Sports Xtra franchise unit up and running, the team will give you a handy starter pack. You’ll gain access to the e-learning platform, as well as ongoing support resources. Your investment fee also covers the franchise’s online booking system, invoicing, payroll and tax service, and insurance.

Plus, the franchise provides products for four revenue streams and the chance to benefit from premium brand partnerships such as Angry Birds and Danger Mouse.

And, if you’re interested in the Sports Xtra fantastic opportunity but concerned you can’t commit to the full five-year franchise term, fear not. Sports Xtra understands the need for flexibility among its investors, and has introduced a rolling agreement allowing franchisees to terminate their contract with just two months notice.

Achieve your dreams of working with children

Starting a franchise unit in the children’s sector can be rewarding as well as lucrative - and there are plenty of different investment opportunities in this area. So, if Sports Xtra doesn’t offer the benefits important to you, there are likely to be other suitable options.

From toddler music sessions to school computer classes, the specialisms in the children’s sector vary hugely. View our selection of fulfilling and fun franchise opportunities involving working with kids to find your next business venture.