It’s a great time to invest in your own Rugbytots franchise business
Thousands of Rugbytots classes take place every week and the demand keeps rising. Rugby World Cup has brought more attention to the sport. This benefits our global family of over 350 Rugbytots franchisees.
THE RUGBYTOTS STORY
How we became the world’s most popular rugby play programme
Max Webb, is a rugby-loving parent, Rugbytots founder and CEO, launched in Reigate UK, 2006. He struggled to find a pre-school rugby class for his three young boys. He soon realised he wasn’t alone; many parents wanted a rugby programme for younger children.
This gap excited him.
Max seized the chance to start the business and involve his boys in rugby in a fun way with Rugbytots.
He grew local classes into a global franchise, with 85,000 children attending our classes.
The first franchise opened in Edinburgh in 2008.
South Africa followed thanks to Steed Richardson the initial pilot project in 2011, was a success.
Launching the programme officially starting in 2012 in Steed’s first year he coached over 600 children including his own two young boy’s Ryder and Maddox. Making it a true family affair, years later his daughter Arabella enrolled and attended Rugbytots classes.
By 2025, with Steed’s help, Rugbytots has grown to 22 countries on seven continents.
THE GROWING WORLD OF RUGBYTOTS
You can now find Rugbytots in 20 countries on 6 continents
SA HAS 12 FRANCHISES WITH OVER 360 CLASSES RUNNING PER WEEK, 132 FRANCHISES IN UK WITH OVER 5,000 CLASSES RUNNING PER WEEK! GLOBALLY THERE ARE OVER 350 FRANCHISEES AND COUNTING!
85,000 KIDS
HAVE JOINED THE PROGRAMME THE EXCITING WORLD OF RUGBYTOTS!
TO BECOME A RUGBYTOTS FRANCHISEE
As the demand for Rugbytots classes keeps rising, so the opportunity for our franchisees has never been better.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
- Investor-Owners who want to make a genuine difference while empowering their business to grow.
- Enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about rugby and enjoy working with young children.
- Motivated self-starters who are ready to invest in their future and make a lasting positive difference.
- Effective communicators with strong drive skills.
WHY FRANCHISE WITH US?
Discover the Joy of Owning a Rugbytots Franchise!
In the South Africa the demand for our classes keeps rising. This means that the opportunity for new and existing Rugbytots franchisees has never been better! Our franchisees come from many previous walks of life.
We love that each one is unique. Still, we value their shared qualities, which include:
-
Enthusiastic
-
Self motivated
-
Well organised
-
Hard working
-
Determined
We have working models for full-time or part-time franchises.
We have been proud members of the British Franchise Association (BFA), an organisation that upholds very high standards and promotes ethical franchising practices. We follow these practices here in South Africa.
5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction Awards!
Additionally, we have consistently received the prestigious 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction Award, including in the most recent year, 2025. This accolade has be given to an elite group of franchisors who excel in all aspects of the business, judged by the independent feedback from their own franchisees.
Satisfied franchisees are more likely to:
- Work harder
Happy franchisees put in more effort, leading to better overall performance. - Contribute new ideas
A positive relationship encourages franchisees to share innovative ideas that can benefit the entire network. - Exceed our customer expectations
Content franchisees deliver better service, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
RUGBYTOTS vs OTHER SPORT RUGBY FRANCHISE BUSINESSES
Recently January 2025, 61 franchisees filled out our Franchise Satisfaction Survey. This survey was carried out by WorkBuzz, an independent research agency, to keep feedback anonymous.
The Franchise Satisfaction Score
The percentages indicate the average of positive response and are benchmarked against industry averages.
Key results from the survey include themes:
- Training & Support 77%
- The System 94%
- Culture & Relationships 89%
- Leadership 88%
- Value & Rewards 64%
- General Satisfaction 89%
- Training & Support 77%
A remarkable 92% of franchisees reported a high level of satisfaction with initial training, and 83% are very impressed with head office support. - Franchise Proven System 94%
Franchisees expressed high confidence in the system’s effectiveness and is highly trusted, and 83% appreciate our high-quality products and services! - Brand’s ability to differentiate 98%
Indicating a strong and positive foundation, which makes a creates the opportunity for brand expansion. - Culture & Relationships 89%
We obtained a remarkable score for shared goals. We recognise that this reflects on positive culture. - Leadership For Clear Vision 93%
Leadership received commendable score of 93% for clear vision for the future. With 88% reporting that they are highly satisfied with our standards, and 85% would recommend our Rugbytots franchise business. - Value & Rewards
An amazing 89% enjoy a great work-life balance, and we see room to exceed financial expectations.
General Satisfaction 89%
Working with children isn’t just rewarding; it’s life-changing! You’ll witness their growth, boost their confidence, and create lasting memories—all while building your own successful business!
OUR INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE
INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE |
R 350,000 |
| Ideal For | You have a mindset of an investor-operator with a growth mindset.
Achieving your return on investment using our business system and strategy will mean marketing and recruiting coaches. We’ll help you expand to multiple venues. THE ROLE OF A SPORTS-ENTREPRENEUR
|
| EARNING (R’000) POTENTIAL BY YEAR |
|
The initial investment comes with the following:
- Comprehensive Training
Enjoy extensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed. - Proven Business Model
Use a reliable business model that lowers risk and increases potential. - Marketing Support
Receive personalised marketing materials and access to national campaigns. - Community Impact
Help children develop physically, grow in confidence, and stay healthy through enjoyable rugby activities. - Systems & Support
Rugbytots provides online systems and continuous training for franchisees.
FRANCHISEE TRAINING AND SUPPORT
The Rugbytots team are here to help your franchise flourish and succeed.
We have been operating Rugbytots franchises for over 15 years and support over 350 franchisees around the globe. We provide practical training and support with everything from marketing and promotion to HR and managing bookings.
But we’re not simply a remote resource, we love to get together with our franchisees – and love our franchsiees to meet one another. It’s all part of the friendly, family-style approach we take to business.
As a new member of the Rugbytots franchisee family, we will welcome you in with a proven programme of pre-launch business and coaching training to ensure you can hit the ground running.
BENEFIT FROM OUR WORLD OF EXPERIENCE
BUSINESS TRAINING
You will get over 15 hours of desk based training over eight 2-hour sessions. Remotely or in person at Head Office. We handle everything. This covers making your launch plan, using our systems, handling finances and booking venues. Initially we will promote your launch and help recruit your coaches, until you are confident to take over.
COACH TRAINING
You will get 2 structured training days with a master trainer and head coach or existing franchise ownew. This is followed by 4 weeks of buddy training and support from a franchisee near to your area, with 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up visits.
PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT
We help you spread the word about your classes easily and effectively
PRINTED AND PRINT-READY MATERIALS
We provide you with a comprehensive range of materials personalised with your franchise contact details.
Most items are available with up to six different image choices, so you can pick the one that best reflects your situation and your target audience.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We’ve a a fantastic body of ready-to-go posts, images, video reels and other great content available for you to use.
But we know finding the time to post regularly can be challenging, so a dedicated team at Head Office will post varied content across your Facebook and Instagram pages four times a week.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
HEAD OFFICE SUPPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA AND UK
We enable you to manage your growing business more professionally. We run an international operation, so provide franchise support 24-hours a day, every day of the year.
Key members of our Franchise Support team have been with Rugbytots for more than 10 years. We also can offer outsourcing your administration and business coaching so you can scale your business quicker. So whatever assistance you need, they will be able to help.
BESPOKE BOOKING SYSTEM
In 2007, Rugbytots was the first company in our industry to go fully online. By 2012 our custom-bVisit Siteuilt booking system was being utilised in South Africa and since has always been unrivalled in the industry.
We’re continually improving it and adding new features and functions to help you manage and grow your business even more efficiently and effectively.
MEETINGS AND FUN CONFERENCES
Running a franchise of any kind can be isolating if you don’t occasionally reach out to colleagues. We have a variety of platforms for engaging on a local or national level. But nothing beats our popular regional and national conferences which include presentations, workshops and social events.
HR & ADMIN OUTSOURCING
As you are likely to be employing coaches and coaching assistants, it’s vital that your business is backed by qualified HR professionals. Our partnership with Simpla HR gives complete protection and peace of mind by reducing the burden of responsibility.
LET’S KICK THINGS OFF!
To get the full lowdown on owning a Rugbytots franchise, start our short questionnaire
Ready to take the leap?
This entry was posted on 18th March 2025.