Belgravia Group expands presence in children’s activity market with GymbaROO acquisition

November 23, 2023

Play / Recreation / Sport /

The Belgravia Group has anounced its acquisition of Australian owned children’s exercise group GymbaROO-KindyROO.

With the aim of helping one million children become physically active each year across Australia and New Zealand, Belgravia Group, headed by Chair and Chief Executive, Geoff Lord has a commitment to increasing children's participation in movement activities.

Looking to forward to fostering the brand, its staff, franchisees, members and operations for many decades to come, Lord stated “it's incredibly exciting to chaperone GymbaROO on its next chapter. It’s with great respect and genuine gratitude that we acknowledge the work that GymbaROO founder Margaret Sasse put in all those years ago, and we’re proud to play a role in seeing GymbaROO being handed over from one great Australian family to another."

With over 12,000 children attending GymbaROO each term across more than 60 venues in Australia and delivered in seven overseas countries, the program has been a cornerstone of children's development. Both companies are true believers that kids moving in their daily lives is key to their development, both physically and mentally.

Dr Jane Williams, Director of Research & Education at GymbarROO, added “while it is with a degree of sadness that the ownership of the GymbaROO-KindyROO program moves on after 40 years of development and growth by the Sasse Family, we are looking forward to working with another Australian family, the Belgravia Group, and feel very positive about the future of the program in their hands.

“Founder of GymbaROO-KindyROO, Margaret Sasse’s greatest wish was for the program to be available to as many Australian children as possible, and it is our belief that the Belgravia Group will bring new enthusiasm to the growth and development of the GymbaROO-KindyROO programs both in Australia and around the world. Several Sasse Family members will work closely with team members from Belgravia Group to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing connectivity and communication between attending families, staff, and franchisees.”

The Belgravia Group, known for its diverse portfolio of active brands, including Genesis Health and Fitness, Ninja Parc, Jump Swim Schools, BK’s Gymnastics, Recreational Gymnastics Australia, Belgravia Outdoor Education and Belgravia Leisure, is excited to welcome GymbaROO-KindyROO to the family.

The group has extensive ownership in other ancillary brands which support access to fitness equipment, apparel and facilities which house businesses delivering programs for children and their parents across Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to its commercial ventures, Belgravia Group is committed to social responsibility and has established the Belgravia Foundation to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical, financial, or cognitive disadvantages, has access to sports, leisure, aquatics and recreation. This commitment further aligns with the principles of GymbaROO.

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