Mini Athletics in Northern Ireland with Sarah Loat - Why This Ex-Teacher Chose Franchising to Build Something Bigger

Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby speak with Sarah Loat, franchisee of Mini Athletics Armagh, Banbridge, about building a thriving local program, coaching children through structured play, and balancing franchise life with family and school holidays. Sarah shares how her teaching background shaped her coaching style, why Mini Athletics stood out from other children's activity businesses, and what it takes to grow a business with high standards and community support.

Key topics

• In this episode, Sarah Loat explains how she moved from teaching into Mini Athletics after taking her eldest son to classes and seeing the opportunity to bring the program to Northern Ireland.
• Sarah shares why the structure of Mini Athletics mattered to her as a former teacher, especially the lesson plans, physical literacy focus, teamwork, and age-appropriate progression.
• She talks about the joy of seeing children stay with the program for years, moving from teenies to minis, and building confidence through repeated weekly sessions.
• Sarah describes the impact the classes have had on children with additional needs, including children supported by occupational therapists who have improved core strength, coordination, jumping, and throwing.
• Clare and Hannah highlight the role Mini Athletics plays as both a local community and a franchise network, giving Sarah support when she needs advice or reassurance.
• Sarah is candid about her biggest challenge being recruitment, particularly finding coaches who meet her standards while still bringing the right energy and approach.
• She explains how she has adapted her coaching style by training new coaches more quickly and more directly, drawing on her teaching experience with trainee teachers.
• Sarah admits promotion and self-marketing remain harder than coaching, especially doing lives, putting herself on camera, and promoting the business publicly.
• She reflects on the pride she feels when parents praise the classes, children return after breaks, and local sports groups such as Kilcoo GAA and camogie sessions recognise the value of fundamental movement skills.
• Sarah closes by sharing plans to expand delivery into nurseries and after-school clubs with a new coach, Joshua, starting training and helping the business reach more children in the area.

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Rocketman Rich - The Launch of Mini Athletics Canterbury

Discover how Rich Man transitioned from a career in football coaching and driving trucks to become an enthusiastic franchisee with Mini Athletics. Hear about his journey, challenges, and how he’s building a thriving business in Canterbury.

Main Topics:

• Rich’s background in sports, coaching, and customer service
• The emotional moment that sparked his decision to join Mini Athletics
• Building confidence and overcoming initial business challenges
• The importance of foundations and community connections
• Growth strategies: scaling up nurseries, schools, and holiday camps
• The role of franchise support and community in success
• The impact of positive mindset and learning from mistakes

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Rich Man and his Mini Athletics journey

00:24 - Rich’s background in football, coaching, and sports at Butlins

01:07 - Transition into the car industry and driving trucks

02:12 - Joining Mini Athletics and the joy of coaching children

02:48 - The moment that inspired Rich to become a franchisee

03:20 - The nickname “Rocket Man Rich” and its significance

04:21 - The community feel within Mini Athletics franchise

06:19 - Life changes and new freedoms since starting the franchise

07:02 - Overcoming perfectionism and learning on the go

08:01 - Building confidence and embracing mistakes

09:21 - Achievements in six months and the importance of patience

10:16 - Focusing on fundamentals and foundation building

11:09 - The support network and franchise community

12:37 - Future plans: summer camps, nurseries, and expansion

15:23 - The value of small steps and consistent effort

16:06 - Next steps: holiday clubs and regional growth

18:47 - The impact of community, family, and shared mission

20:22 - Why franchising is a great opportunity and community support

22:49 - Sharing ideas, helping peers, and the franchise network

23:24 - Final encouragement for prospective franchisees

Resources & Links:

• Mini Athletics Official Website
• Mini Athletics Franchise Opportunities

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Discover how Michael Pope transitioned from teaching to running a thriving Mini Athletics franchise in Bath. Learn about his challenges, successes, and tips for building a community-focused business centered on children's movement and development.

Key Topics:

• Michael’s transition from teaching to franchise ownership
• Building a community presence and local marketing strategies
• Overcoming the challenges of setting up a new business post-initial phase
• The importance of social skills and physical literacy in early childhood
• Developing a team: plans for future coaching support
• Balancing family life with entrepreneurial pursuits
• Celebrating small wins and steady growth in a new business

Find out more about Mini Athletics franchising in both the UK and USA

UK - www.miniathleticsfranchising.co.uk

USA - www.miniathleticsfranchising.com

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