“Taking Action – Foundations Built. It’s Time to Explode.”

Friday 27th March 2026 will go down as one of the most memorable days in the history of Super Star Sport.

Franchise directors from across the United Kingdom came together at Hanbury Manor in Ware, Hertfordshire, and what followed was a day full of energy, learning, pride and togetherness.

For me personally, this was the proudest day of my professional career.

A Sports Coaching Franchise Built on Action

The day kicked off exactly how it should, with action.

A huge credit to Chris Lindsey, who led an early morning 08:00 workout session for those ready to get after it from the very start.

It was energetic, fun, and full of togetherness. Most importantly, it set the tone for the entire day.

This wasn’t just a conference. This was a network in motion.

Why Our Franchise Network Continues to Grow

The running order says it all, but what it doesn’t show is the feeling in the room.

There was focus. There was engagement. There was pride.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen incredible growth across the Super Star Sport network. More schools, more nurseries, and more children active, healthy and smiling.

But the biggest shift has been the alignment of the network. A group of people all moving in the same direction, ready for more.

Foundations Built. Now We Move.

Opening the conference gave us the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far.

The progress we’ve made, the standards we’ve raised, and the impact we’re having every single day.

But the message was simple.

Foundations are built. Now we move.

This next phase is about growth. Bigger contracts, stronger teams, and even better delivery across the board.

Sales & Marketing in a Sports Franchise – A Learnable Skill

One of the standout sessions came from Angelo.

Full of energy, honesty and personality, he broke down what sales and marketing really looks like inside a sports coaching business.

From calling himself a “sales and marketing monkey” to becoming a “sales and marketing guerrilla”, he brought the room with him.

More importantly, he showed that sales and marketing is a skill. It can be learned, and it can be mastered.

For anyone looking at starting a sports coaching franchise, this is key. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to learn and take action.

The Mindset Behind a Successful Franchise Owner

Steve Eastaugh delivered a powerful session on mindset and decision making.

He broke down how we think, how we make decisions, and how we take consistent action.

The message was clear. If you can control your thinking, you can control your outcomes.

In franchising, mindset is often the difference between those who grow and those who stand still.

Industry Insight: Setting Standards in Children’s Sports Coaching

We were also joined by industry experts including Helen Thompson from the British Franchise Association and Courtney McAllister, an Ofsted Inspector from the Hub of Early Years.

They provided valuable insight into the wider industry, the importance of standards, and the opportunities available moving forward.

For our network, this ensures we continue to deliver at the highest level and stay ahead of the game.

The Future of Coaching: The 10 Pillars of Super Star Sport

A huge moment for the network came with the introduction of the 10 Pillars of Super Star Sport Delivery by Gaetano Scaglione.

This set out the future framework for how we coach across the UK, alongside the launch of the Train the Trainer calendar.

This is a major step forward in consistency, coaching quality, and long-term development across the network.

For any coach looking to step into business ownership, this kind of structure is what sets a franchise apart.

Keynote Speaker: Martin Glenn on Leadership & High Performance

Former CEO of The FA, Walkers and Birds Eye, Martin Glenn delivered a session that was honest, insightful and inspiring.

He spoke about leadership at the highest level, appointing Gareth Southgate, making big decisions under pressure, and handling moments like the Colombia penalty shootout in the 2018 World Cup.

It was a session that challenged people to think bigger.

Real Stories, Real Results: Franchisee Panel

We then heard from some of the top performers across the network, including Matt Denning, Ant Furlong, Chris Lindsey and Leon Howard.

The conversation was open and honest, providing real insight into what it actually takes to grow a territory, lead a team, and deliver consistently.

There was no theory. Just real experience from people doing it every single day.

Celebrating Success: 2026 Franchise Awards

The day finished in the best possible way, together.

Dinner was served and the room was full of pride, happiness and positivity as we celebrated what has been an incredible year.

The 2026 award winners were SSS Midlands for Franchise League Table Champion, SSS Wakefield for Best Growth, SSS West London for Territory of the Year, SSS North Herts & Beds for Newcomer of the Year, and Ish Hussain from SSS Wakefield for Franchise Director of the Year.

The speeches from the winners said everything. Honest, proud and grateful.

You could feel it across the room. This is a network moving forward together.

Final Thought

This wasn’t just a conference.

It was a reminder of who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re going.

From delivering sessions ourselves to building a national network of people making a real difference every single day.

Really proud of where we’re at.

Even more excited about what comes next.