Little Kickers wins UK franchise sector award

Sarah Stowe

Little Kickers, a UK children’s services franchise business, has won the British Franchise Association’s (bfa) Brian Smart Award for International Development at the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards 2017. Inside Franchise Business: Litte Kickers takes home gold in the UK.

A sports franchise for under sevens, Little Kickers provides children as young as 18 months an introduction to sport in a fun, engaging and creative environment led by expert coaches.

The business was selected for its consistently successful international expansion. Founded by Christine Stanschus in London in 2002, Little Kickers currently operates in 22 countries worldwide (including Australia), with headquarters in Oxfordshire and Toronto.

Dan Kelland, director of Little Kickers New South Wales said, “I am delighted that the bfa have recognised Little Kickers for this award.”

“Culture and relationships are at the heart of franchising and, as a company, we take great pride in developing both throughout the network.

“I feel this has contributed greatly to the international growth of our brand to date. Australia represents one of the more established Little Kickers territories.

“We continue to see year on year growth in this market and, with new opportunities still available nationwide, look forward to continuing to drive that growth and provide an outstanding program for preschool children (and their parents) long into the future,” he added.

The Brian Smart Award for International Development 2017 focuses on franchisors that have used international expansion as a route for growth.

Little Kickers was competing with Devon-based Water Babies, global provider of baby and toddler swimming lessons, in this category.

Stanschus, founder and CEO of Little Kickers, said, “We are absolutely over the moon. It is such an honour to receive the Brian Smart Award for International Development.”

“Being able to expand into other countries gets us closer to our ultimate goal of being able to provide as many children as possible with a positive introduction to sport.”

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the bfa said, “Little Kickers’ achievement is truly inspiring and as judges, we couldn’t help but notice the team’s passion for international expansion and how they’ve done it so well.”

“We are excited to see how the business grows and shapes itself in the near future.”

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