A-Star Sports nominated in three categories at the What’s on 4 Junior Awards 2012

The nominees for the prestigious What’s On 4 2012 Junior Awards in association with Konfidence have been announced – and new business A-Star Sports is amongst them!

This exciting national awards programme, once again supported by Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine, is now in its sixth year and celebrates the best activities, classes, volunteers and venues from throughout the UK as nominated and voted for by parents and parents-to-be.

A-Star Sports is a nominee in the following categories:

• Best New Activity for Children
• Best Children’s Party Entertainment
• Most outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5-12 (Kevin Key)

This means they have received at least five customer nominations and will now go through to the national voting stage.

A-Star Sports is a fun-filled multi-sports experience for children aged 2-10 years. They offer inclusive, developmental multi-sports coaching in a positive environment that begins with an initial ABC-based programme (agility, balance and co-ordination) and develops into a core of ten sports – basketball, cricket, dodgeball, football, handball, hockey, rounders, rugby, tennis and volleyball. The programme also includes activities inspired by sport in the news for children to discover sports over and above this core ten. In addition to weekly classes, A-Star Sports also offers birthday parties, holiday clubs and events.

Kevin Key, director and nominee in the Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5-12 category, said: “I’ve been truly overwhelmed by the feedback and support we have had from local families. As soon as What’s On 4 contacted us with the news about the nominations, we spoke to all our customers to thank them for encouraging and believing in us – it was really quite emotional! It’s just fantastic that so many customers took the time to nominate and to say such brilliant things about what we do at A-Star Sports. This is a real confirmation that our passion for sport and coaching children to enjoy sport for life really shines through. Now we’ve got this far, we’d love to get the votes to go one step further and pick up an award (or three!)”

Fellow directors, Gary and Sharon Bassett won the Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5-12 category at the What’s On 4 Awards in 2010. Gary said, “The most amazing thing is to work in such a great team and our performance as a new team is one thing that the businesses and families we come into contact with comment on. We’re now in a position to franchise out A-Star Sports nationally and a recent headline in The Franchise Magazine described us as ‘an ace opportunity for A-Star entrepreneurs’. We’re very proud!”

From 8th March to 6th May 2012, parents can log onto any of the award winning on-line directories – www.whatson4littleones.co.uk, www.whatson4schoolkids.co.uk and www.whatson4kidsparties.co.uk to vote for their favourite from all of the qualifying nominees.

The winners will be announced by TV celebrity host Lucy Piper at the Avisford Park Hilton Hotel in West Sussex on 15th June. Everyone who votes or nominates will also be in with a chance to win 2 VIP tickets to the awards ceremony, meet the finalists, sponsors and VIP guests as well as enjoy a fabulous Spa treatment on the day.

What’s On 4 founder Sam Willoughby adds: “I’m so excited about our 2012 Awards especially as this year the UK awards are running alongside the 1st Australian What’s On 4 Junior Awards! Everyone through to this stage should be very proud that the nation’s parents are so keen to nominate and reward them. We can’t wait to see the results of the voting!”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For more information, logos / visuals or for a photoshoot opportunity, please contact Sharon Bassett at A-Star Sports on 07932 182148 or sharon.bassett@a-starsports.co.uk.

2. A-Star Sports Ltd launched in November 2011 – www.a-starsports.co.uk. Also on:

• Facebook – facebook.com/AStarSports.UK
• Twitter – @AstarSports_UK

The co-founders of the A-Star Sports® franchise business bring together 50+ years of coaching experience, best practice and creativity. From sports performances at school, county and national level through to coaching in clubs, schools and organisations in the UK and beyond. The A-Star Sports® expert advisory team includes those with experience in the national governing bodies of sports, as PE specialists and teachers, as child psychologists and authorities in child behaviour management, as well as business, partnership and sports management professionals.

3. Co-founders and directors profiles can be found at:

• Sharon Bassett – uk.linkedin.com/in/SharonBassett
• Gary Bassett – uk.linkedin.com/in/GaryBassett

4. Weekly A-Star Sports classes currently run in the following areas:

• Chester & surrounding areas
• Dumfries & Galloway
• Dundee & Angus
• East & West Dunbartonshire and surrounding areas
• Edinburgh North, West & surrounding areas
• Edinburgh South & East, Midlothian and East Lothian
• North Lanarkshire
• Perth & Kinross / East Fife
• Renfrewshire & surrounding areas
• South Lanarkshire
• Wirral

Local holiday clubs and parties are also available.