AN ENTREPENEUR from Cwmbran is launching his rugby-themed children’s play programme to the rest of the UK.
Anthony Dunne, 40, created LittleStars Rugby back in 2011 after spotting a gap in the market for a service to bring parents and children together to have fun, exercise and learn new skills.
LittleStars now employs 20 members of staff across south east Wales, running weekly sessions to teach ball skills, balance, movement and co-ordination to children as young as 18 months.
With support from the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service, Mr Dunne has developed the programme into a package that includes full training and materials, and is now rolling it out across the UK.
Mr Dunne, who has coached rugby for 10 years and is a qualified teacher, said: “There are lots of good rugby training programmes that children can attend when they reach the age of about six or seven, but not a lot for younger children and toddlers.
“LittleStars is different as it also allows parents to learn new skills and have fun with their children. They are encouraged to turn their mobile phones off and really get stuck in.”
LittleStars started in 2001 and has around 150 members on the books attending weekly sessions.
He said: “Of course rugby is Wales’s national sport, but with the recent success of the Lions in Australia, rugby is a hot topic across the rest of the UK and we thought it was the ideal time to launch our franchise package.”
He has already sold his first two packages that will see new LittleStars schemes open in Bridgend and Swansea in Wales, and across the Midlands in England.
Licensees initially pay a one-off fee that includes full training, all course materials, access to a new website with booking facility, use of the LitteStar brand and a merchandising agreement.
Mr Dunne said: “My focus now is to continue to grow the business and build the brand, but in the future I would love to take the idea abroad and already have a couple of contacts in Australia and New Zealand who are interested in the concept.”
For more information on LittleStars Rugby visit www.littlestarsrugby.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article