A-Star Sports, the multi-sports coaching franchise which was established in November last year, has scooped two top prizes at the national What's on 4 Junior 2012 awards, held at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel in Sussex earlier this month.

The fledgling company, founded by three couples – Gary and Sharon Bassett, Kevin and Caroline Key and Alister and Lorna Ramm – won the Best New Activity for Children award, while Kevin Key took the prize for Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged five to twelve. This is the same award that Gary and Sharon Bassett won at the competition in 2010.

The awards are now in their sixth year and celebrate the best activities, classes and party providers from all over the UK, as nominated and voted for by parents.

Sharon Bassett said: "This was a fantastic achievement and a really strong endorsement by the people who really matter in the children’s sports coaching business - the parents who give us their trust and confidence.

"The awards we won reflect the hard work, dedication and unstinting effort which our coaching teams across the UK put into their sporting mission - to make sport as fun and enjoyable as possible and accessible for all, promoting a healthy, happy lifestyle for Britain's sporting stars of the future."

What's On 4 founder Sam Willoughby said: "It was a privilege to meet so many passionate and committed business owners, franchisees and individuals, all wanting to offer the very best to the children and parents they meet. It was an emotional, inspiring and unforgettable event."

A-Star Sports, which offers coaching for children from two years old up to ten years old, now has 11 centres throughout Scotland and England, offering fun-filled sessions which teach very young children to play individually, in games with a partner or in teams.