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

On Friday 27th March 2026, franchise directors from across the United Kingdom came together at Hanbury Manor in Ware, Hertfordshire for the annual Super Star Sport Franchise Conference.

What followed was a day defined by energy, learning, collaboration and a shared commitment to raising standards across the children’s sports coaching sector.

For the Super Star Sport network, the conference marked an important milestone — not only reflecting on a year of strong growth, but setting the direction for the next phase of development.

Setting the Tone: A Network in Action

The day began with an early morning 08:00 workout session led by Chris Lindsey, immediately setting the tone for what the Super Star Sport network represents.

The session brought together franchise directors in an environment that was energetic, engaging and rooted in togetherness.

It was a clear reflection of the brand’s core values in action, and a reminder that this is a network built not just on business performance, but on culture, energy and shared standards.

Reflecting on Progress, Focusing on What’s Next

The conference opened with a reflection on the progress made across the network over the past 12 months.

This included continued expansion across primary schools and early years settings, alongside a sustained focus on improving delivery standards and operational consistency.

However, the central message was forward-looking.

With strong foundations now in place, the focus shifts to continued growth, deeper market penetration and further raising the quality of provision across all territories.

Developing Commercial Confidence in Franchising

A key theme of the day was developing commercial capability within the network.

Angelo Ciccarelli delivered a high-energy session focused on sales and marketing, breaking down the practical skills required to grow a successful sports coaching business.

His message was clear — commercial success within franchising is not dependent on prior experience, but on the willingness to learn, take action and remain consistent.

This reinforced an important principle within the Super Star Sport model: franchisees are supported not only in delivery, but in building sustainable, commercially strong businesses.

Mindset, Decision-Making and Consistent Action

Steve Eastaugh delivered a thought-provoking session centred on mindset and decision-making in business.

Exploring how individuals think, process information and ultimately take action, the session highlighted the importance of developing a disciplined and proactive mindset.

Within franchising, where individuals are responsible for driving their own territory performance, this ability to take consistent, focused action is critical.

The Role of the BFA in Supporting Standards and Growth

A valuable addition to the day was the presence and contribution of Helen Thompson from the British Franchise Association.

Helen’s involvement provided important context around the wider franchising landscape in the UK, reinforcing the role that the BFA plays in promoting ethical franchising, strong operational standards and sustainable business growth.

Her support of the Super Star Sport network reflects a shared commitment to doing franchising the right way — with clear systems, robust processes and a focus on long-term success for franchisees.

For the network, this alignment with the BFA continues to strengthen credibility within the sector and ensures that franchise development remains aligned with recognised industry standards.

Industry Insight and Early Years Standards

Further insight was provided by Courtney McAllister, Ofsted Inspector and representative of the Hub of Early Years.

Her session offered valuable perspective on expectations within early years provision, highlighting both the responsibility and the opportunity for providers operating in this space.

As Super Star Sport continues to expand its presence within nurseries and early years settings, maintaining alignment with Ofsted expectations remains a key priority.

Raising the Bar: The 10 Pillars of Delivery

One of the most significant announcements of the day was the introduction of the 10 Pillars of Super Star Sport Delivery by Training and Development Manager Gaetano Scaglione.

This framework sets a clear, structured approach to coaching delivery across the entire network, supporting consistency, quality and ongoing coach development.

Alongside this, the launch of the Train the Trainer calendar ensures that these standards are embedded locally, creating a scalable model for continuous improvement.

This represents a major step forward in strengthening delivery across a growing national network.

Leadership at the Highest Level: Keynote from Martin Glenn

The conference also welcomed keynote speaker Martin Glenn, former CEO of The FA, Walkers and Birds Eye.

Drawing on his experience leading organisations at the highest level, Martin delivered an insightful session on leadership, decision-making and handling pressure in high-stakes environments.

From appointing Gareth Southgate to navigating pivotal moments in international football, his reflections provided valuable lessons for franchise directors operating in their own businesses.

Sharing Best Practice Across the Network

A franchisee panel featuring Matt Denning, Ant Furlong, Chris Lindsey and Leon Howard offered a practical, experience-led perspective on business growth within the network.

Through open discussion, they shared the realities of building and scaling a territory, managing teams and maintaining high standards of delivery.

This peer-to-peer learning remains a key strength of the Super Star Sport model, enabling franchisees to learn directly from those achieving strong results.

Recognising Excellence Across the Network

The day concluded with an evening awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of franchisees across the network.

Awards recognised performance across multiple areas, including growth, overall territory performance and individual leadership.

The recognition of these achievements reflects the strength of the network as a whole, and the collective commitment to continuous improvement.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 Super Star Sport Franchise Conference was more than a reflection on past success.

It was a clear statement of intent.

With strong foundations in place, a growing national presence and continued alignment with industry bodies such as the British Franchise Association, the network is well positioned for its next phase of growth.

For Super Star Sport, the focus remains clear — supporting franchisees to build successful businesses while delivering high-quality, engaging sports provision that positively impacts children across the UK.