Mini Athletics in Northern Ireland with Sarah Loat – Why This Ex-Teacher Chose Franchising to Build Something Bigger

Clare Bowyer and Hannah Danby speak with Sarah Loat, franchisee of Mini Athletics Armagh, Banbridge, about building a thriving local program, coaching children through structured play, and balancing franchise life with family and school holidays. Sarah shares how her teaching background shaped her coaching style, why Mini Athletics stood out from other children’s activity businesses, and what it takes to grow a business with high standards and community support.

Key topics

• In this episode, Sarah Loat explains how she moved from teaching into Mini Athletics after taking her eldest son to classes and seeing the opportunity to bring the program to Northern Ireland.
• Sarah shares why the structure of Mini Athletics mattered to her as a former teacher, especially the lesson plans, physical literacy focus, teamwork, and age-appropriate progression.
• She talks about the joy of seeing children stay with the program for years, moving from teenies to minis, and building confidence through repeated weekly sessions.
• Sarah describes the impact the classes have had on children with additional needs, including children supported by occupational therapists who have improved core strength, coordination, jumping, and throwing.
• Clare and Hannah highlight the role Mini Athletics plays as both a local community and a franchise network, giving Sarah support when she needs advice or reassurance.
• Sarah is candid about her biggest challenge being recruitment, particularly finding coaches who meet her standards while still bringing the right energy and approach.
• She explains how she has adapted her coaching style by training new coaches more quickly and more directly, drawing on her teaching experience with trainee teachers.
• Sarah admits promotion and self-marketing remain harder than coaching, especially doing lives, putting herself on camera, and promoting the business publicly.
• She reflects on the pride she feels when parents praise the classes, children return after breaks, and local sports groups such as Kilcoo GAA and camogie sessions recognise the value of fundamental movement skills.
• Sarah closes by sharing plans to expand delivery into nurseries and after-school clubs with a new coach, Joshua, starting training and helping the business reach more children in the area.

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