Supporting Business Growth with the Right Booking System
When Ollie Kanner, a PE teacher with 17 years of experience, founded Sports Focus Coaching in 2019, his goal was simple: to offer engaging sports programmes for kids. What began as a small project quickly grew into something much bigger.
Since joining ClassForKids, Sports Focus Coaching has experienced tremendous growth. The business has seen a 55% increase in revenue, expanded to 35 venues across London, Surrey, and Berkshire, and grown from a one-person operation to a team of 26 coaches. The once-overwhelming admin tasks that consumed Ollie’s time have been streamlined, allowing him to focus on what truly matters – creating memorable experiences for the kids.
Read on to discover how Sports Focus Coaching transformed into a thriving business with the help of ClassForKids.
From Sports Camps to Creative Adventures
From the very beginning, Ollie saw a gap in the market for holiday camps and after-school programmes that offered more than just sports. Realising that a singular focus on sports might be limiting, he began partnering with primary schools to offer a wide range of activities.
“Just offering sports is fairly limiting, so we do our best to offer as many different things as we can. We want the children to feel excited to come out of class to our after-school club.”
To support this new venture, Ollie chose ClassForKids, a trusted booking system designed specifically for kids’ clubs. His investment paid off; the business has grown by over 50% every year since they started using ClassForKids.
“ClassForKids is a great bit of software, and we’d be lost without it,” Ollie says with a smile.
Today, Sports Focus Coaching offers everything from Lego and dance to gymnastics, bouncy castles, magician shows, and even cooking classes. While keeping kids entertained with these diverse activities, Ollie ensured parents were happy with flexible options like half-day bookings and early drop-offs – all easily managed through the ClassForKids booking system.
Tune into our podcast to listen to Ollie as he shares his story as well as his top tips.
A Game-Changer in Admin Management
Before ClassForKids, managing the admin side of the business was a significant challenge. Ollie remembers how he often found himself buried in paperwork rather than spending time with the kids.
“Before ClassForKids, we sometimes spent more time on emails and spreadsheets than with students. But ClassForKids revolutionised the way we do things.”
The introduction of ClassForKids changed everything. Tasks like payments, bookings, and setting up terms and registers, which used to take up hours of manual effort, were now automated.
“I’m not a tech guy at all,” Ollie admits, “but ClassForKids handled everything, starting from our first introduction to the product, very professionally, and their support made everything so easy. The booking system itself is very slick and works wonderfully. We’re very happy to have ClassForKids on board!”
This transformation allowed Ollie and his team to reclaim their time, dedicating it to improving the kids’ experiences rather than getting lost in admin tasks.
Click below to learn more about the ClassForKids tools that will transform your kids’ club.
Powerful Tools that Drive Success
Among the many features ClassForKids offers, two stand out for Ollie and his team: Camps and Parent Communication.
Camps
Setting up camps used to be a daunting task, with hours spent on organising schedules and marketing. But with ClassForKids’ Camps feature, everything is streamlined.
“Setting up camps is quite tricky; it takes a lot of time and marketing. But with ClassForKids’ Camps feature, it’s all done quickly, with all the information going on our website automatically.”
This newfound efficiency has allowed Sports Focus Coaching to expand its offerings without the added stress of logistical headaches. With camp set-up automated, Ollie can now focus on broadening his reach, driving more bookings, and building a strong community.
Plus, the early drop-off and late pick-up options provide added convenience for working parents while creating an additional revenue stream for his business.
Parent Communication
Communication is central to the success of Sports Focus Coaching. The ability to communicate with parents at the click of a button has been a game-changer.
“Communication is really central to our business. ClassForKids helps us get information out, and it’s a great tool for marketing.”
With ClassForKids automating booking confirmations, invoices, and trial and waiting list management, Ollie and his team can stay in touch with their community, boost bookings, and promote events in a fraction of the time they used to spend on these tasks.
Click below to read more about our powerful parent communication tools.
Sustainable Growth with a Reliable Booking System
From a one-person operation running classes at five schools to leading a team of 26 coaches across 35 venues, Sports Focus Coaching has experienced remarkable growth. Yet, Ollie remains focused on growing at a sustainable pace.
“Our plan is to keep hiring the right people to keep growing at the right rate, and not get too big too quickly.”
Looking ahead, Ollie plans to launch more wraparound care sites and continue expanding their offerings, always with the same creativity and attention to detail that has brought them success so far. And with ClassForKids by their side, there’s no doubt that Sports Focus Coaching will continue to set new standards in the industry.
Curious to see what we can do for your business? No need to schedule a live demo! Simply watch our interactive demo to see our booking system in action and explore the features that matter to you.
