Growing Progressive Sports and Scaling Sport Engagement Opportunities for British Children

Progressive Sports is on a mission to keep children physically active and engaged through a variety of programmes and initiatives. With their strong commitment to reversing the growing trend of inactivity among children in the UK where “nearly one in four children leaving primary school are living with obesity” they are making a real impact. Their dedication to building healthier routines for children has fuelled their growth, and they now help keep over 75,000 children active every week.

Understanding the Roles at Progressive Sports

We sat down with Finance Coordinator; Emily Whitchurch and Office Manager; Gemma Latty to discuss their work and the essential roles they play in forming the administrative backbone of the business.

Together, they oversee all administrative processes, with a strong focus on financial management. Despite their busy schedules, they also develop and implement new systems to ensure everything runs smoothly. While franchisees operate independently, the head office team establishes successful processes that are then recommended to them, helping to maintain consistency and efficiency across the organisation.

The Mission of Progressive Sports

The core mission of Progressive Sports is to foster a culture of physical activity among children. This is achieved through a combination of in-school and community-based programmes, including physical education coaching, sports clubs, holiday clubs, and wrap-around care.

Challenges with Previous Systems

Before transitioning to Enrolmy, the team faced several challenges with their previous systems, including limited functionality for customers, a lack of flexibility in payment options, and insufficient reporting capabilities.

The partnership with Enrolmy has addressed these issues, offering a more user-friendly experience for both staff and customers aswell as a strong foundation to grow their reach and the capability to further franchise their organisation.

The Transition to Enrolmy : A Journey of Growth

Progressive Sports recently transitioned to using Enrolmy, a platform designed to support their business growth and evolving needs. This change was prompted by their expansion into wraparound care and their desire to partner with software that could facilitate their growth, oversight of their multi-setting operations and staff, automate customer interactions that should be easier for parents, and provide a more flexible booking system.

Strategies for a Smooth Transition

To ensure a seamless transition to Enrolmy, the team implemented several key strategies. They introduced a crossover period between the old and new systems, allowing time to start afresh. This approach also gave them the opportunity to fine-tune their use of the new platform, initially focusing on wrap-around services before fully integrating holiday courses.

By running both systems simultaneously, they were able to streamline processes and optimise reporting functions, ensuring the platform could effectively support their expanding services.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Expansion

Progressive Sports is on an exciting growth trajectory, particularly in the area of wraparound care. Currently overseeing 20+ wraparound services, the team anticipates a significant increase in the coming months.

While maintaining a focus on quality over quantity in their holiday courses, the expansion is primarily centred on wraparound services. Their goal is to double the number of these services while also achieving a 50% increase across all three regions in which they operate.

Supporting Franchisees: A Collaborative Approach

The head office plays a crucial role in supporting franchisees by leading the way with new processes and systems. While franchisees operate independently, the head office provides guidance and support, particularly when setting up new initiatives.

There is a strong focus on sharing best practices and offering advice on high-level matters, ensuring that franchisees are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

The Future of Progressive Sports

Looking ahead, Progressive Sports plans to significantly expand its wrap-around care services. This growth is supported by the Enrolmy platform, which provides greater flexibility and functionality for managing bookings and reporting.

Conclusion

Progressive Sports is committed to keeping children active and engaged through a diverse range of programmes. With a dedicated team, innovative systems, and a strong growth strategy, the organisation is primed to continue making a meaningful impact across the communities it serves.

As they look to the future, the team remains focused on expanding services and empowering their franchisees, ensuring that even more children can experience the lasting benefits and joy of physical activity.