Last weekend I headed to the Club Hub Event & Awards, where Roarsome Sport was named in the Top 100 Children’s Activity Providers in the UK, finishing at number 50.
It still feels a little surreal writing that.
When I first started Roarsome, I wasn’t thinking about awards or industry recognition. I was just trying to create the kind of sessions I wanted for my own children. Somewhere active, welcoming, supportive, and relaxed enough that children could build confidence in their own time.
So to now be recognised alongside some incredible businesses from across the country feels really special.
But for me, the best part of the day wasn’t actually the awards themselves. It was the people.
One thing I hadn’t fully appreciated before going was just how many people across this industry genuinely care about creating positive experiences for children and families. Some of the people I met were independent business owners like me, others ran franchises or large national businesses, and some provided support services to children’s activity providers behind the scenes.
Even though everyone’s businesses looked different, there was such a strong shared focus on helping children thrive.
Running a small business can feel quite lonely at times, so having the chance to talk to people who completely understand that world was brilliant.
The day was also packed with talks and workshops, and I came away with pages of notes and ideas.
One session focused on visibility and helping businesses reach the families who need them most. Another looked at supporting SEND children within sessions and creating more inclusive experiences. The third explored how businesses create environments and experiences that families genuinely want to return to week after week.
And while some of that sounds quite “business focused”, every single talk came back to the same question for me:
How do I make Roarsome better for the children and families who come to sessions?
How do I help nervous children feel more comfortable?
How do I create sessions where children feel included?
How do I support parents better?
How do I make sure children leave feeling successful and excited to come back?
That’s why events like this matter.
Parents only see the hour-long session each week, but there’s a huge amount of learning, planning, reflecting, and adapting happening behind the scenes to make those sessions as positive and supportive as possible.
Being recognised in the Top 100 isn’t about being “the best”. There are so many incredible activity providers doing amazing work. But I do hope it gives families confidence that when they come to Roarsome, they’re coming somewhere that genuinely cares about getting this right.
A place where children can move, build confidence, make friendships, and feel like they belong.
And for me, that will always be the most important thing 💛