From Food Retail to Kids' Sport Franchisee: Jane Walker's Story

Meet Jane Walker, the energetic franchisee behind Ready Steady Go Kids Geelong Bellarine and Surf Coast. From food retail to creating joyful sporting experiences for young children across her local community, Jane’s journey is a wonderful example of how the right opportunity can appear when you least expect it.

Today, Jane combines her love of sport, business and community through her Ready Steady Go Kids franchise, while also working alongside her husband through their Geelong Indoor Sports Centre business.

A chance meeting on the cricket field

Jane first heard about Ready Steady Go Kids when she met Danie O’Connor, Franchisor of Ready Steady Go Kids, while Team Managing Danie’s son at a national cricket tournament.

At the time, Jane thought the program sounded great, but she did not think much more about it. Later that year, the local Ready Steady Go Kids franchise came up for sale, and suddenly the opportunity felt much more relevant.

Jane and her husband were already operating Geelong Indoor Sports Centre. The Ready Steady Go Kids program seemed like a natural fit alongside the sports and activities they already offered. It also gave Jane the chance to run her own part of the business while her husband continued managing Geelong Indoor.

Sometimes, the best business opportunities are the ones that complement what you already know and love. For Jane, Ready Steady Go Kids offered the perfect combination of sport, community and independence.

A new chapter after more than 20 years

Before joining Ready Steady Go Kids, Jane had worked as a retail food consultant for more than 20 years. While she had built valuable experience during that time, she was ready for a change of pace and a new challenge.

She wanted an opportunity that would work well with her family’s existing business and allow her to take on something meaningful in her own right. Ready Steady Go Kids ticked all the boxes.

Jane made the decision to leave her job and begin her new career as a franchisee for the Geelong Bellarine and Surf Coast regions. It was a significant step, but one that gave her the opportunity to build a business around something she genuinely enjoyed.

The Ready Steady Go Kids model is designed to support children aged approximately 1.5 to 6 years through structured, engaging and developmentally appropriate sports classes. The program introduces children to 10 sports while helping them develop confidence, coordination, social skills and a positive relationship with physical activity.

Celebrating every “I did it” moment

For Jane, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the joy that sport brings to children.

There is something special about watching a child master a new skill for the first time. It might be kicking a ball, catching an object, balancing, jumping or moving with greater confidence. Whatever the achievement, the reaction can be priceless.

Jane particularly loves hearing a child proudly say, “I did it,” with a huge smile on their face.

Those small moments are often big milestones for children. They show growing confidence, determination and a willingness to keep trying. They also remind coaches and families that progress does not need to be perfect to be celebrated.

Jane also finds great satisfaction in supporting children who may be shy, anxious or unsure about joining in. Some children need a little extra time before they feel comfortable participating. With encouragement and a welcoming environment, Jane sees many of them begin to engage, join the activities and eventually enjoy the session.

That transformation is one of the reasons the program is so meaningful. It is not only about learning sports skills. It is about helping children feel capable, included and proud of themselves.

Building skills through 10 sports

Jane has seen many children grow in confidence since she began her Ready Steady Go Kids journey. She has watched children develop lifelong movement skills and make connections with sports they may not otherwise have experienced.

One of the things she believes makes Ready Steady Go Kids different is the structure and purpose behind each class.

“RSGK coaches really do love what they do, and this comes across in the classes,” Jane says.

She explains that the program is not simply a “bag of balls” sports class where equipment is dropped on the floor and children are left to kick or throw without direction. Each session is carefully planned to keep children engaged while supporting their individual development.

Every child is treated as an individual, and coaches work to help each participant get the most from every class. Activities are adapted to suit different ages and abilities, creating a supportive environment where children can learn at their own pace.

The 10-sport format also gives children the chance to try a broad range of activities. They may explore sports such as soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, golf, rugby, AFL, athletics, cricket and T-ball. This early exposure helps children discover what they enjoy while building a strong foundation of movement skills.

Rather than asking young children to specialise too early, the program encourages them to experience a variety of sports and develop a broad base of physical literacy. That can help children feel more comfortable and confident when they later participate in sport at school, in the community or with friends.

Laughter, energy and community

Owning a Ready Steady Go Kids franchise has brought plenty of positive change to Jane’s life. She describes the program as a source of laughter and joy in her day.

Working with young children keeps her active, young at heart and connected with the local community. It also gives her the chance to enjoy a role that combines movement, business and meaningful relationships with families.

For Jane, the franchise has been a valuable addition to the family’s other businesses. Her experience with Geelong Indoor Sports Centre has helped create a strong connection between her work in indoor sport and her work with younger children.

The two businesses complement each other while allowing Jane and her husband to focus on their own areas. It is a family business story built around shared values, community involvement and a love of sport.

A network that shares the journey

Jane also values the support she receives from Ready Steady Go Kids Head Office and the wider franchise network.

She describes the head office and back-end support as excellent, giving franchisees guidance and resources as they build their businesses. Just as importantly, she enjoys being part of a network where franchisees are happy to help one another and share ideas.

That sense of connection can make a real difference when running a business. Every franchisee works in a different territory with unique community needs, so results and experiences will naturally vary. Jane’s story shows the value of learning from others while developing an approach that works for your own local families.

Jane’s advice for future franchisees

Jane believes Ready Steady Go Kids is a wonderful opportunity for someone who loves working with children, enjoys sport and wants to bring laughter and fun into their working day.

“If you love working with children, enjoy sport and want to have laughter and fun at work, Ready Steady Go Kids is a great opportunity,” Jane says.

Her journey also shows that a franchise can be a strong fit for someone looking for a career change. Jane brought years of professional experience with her, but she was ready to learn something new and create a role that aligned with her interests and family business.

Running a franchise takes commitment, energy and a willingness to be involved. It also offers the opportunity to build something that has a positive impact on children and families in your local area.

For Jane, that impact can be seen every week in the confidence, excitement and determination of the children who come through her classes across Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast.

Making time to recharge

Jane admits that she works a lot, so there is not always much spare time outside Ready Steady Go Kids and the family businesses. When she does get the chance to unwind, camping and fishing are her favourite ways to relax.

A little time outdoors provides the perfect balance to busy days filled with classes, planning, business responsibilities and community connections.

From food retail to leading a thriving children’s sports program, Jane’s journey has been full of energy, change and plenty of memorable moments. Her Ready Steady Go Kids franchise has given her a rewarding new direction and the chance to help children discover the joy of movement.

“Jane is incredibly well known and highly respected across her community, especially among ELC directors and educators. Her professionalism, energy and drive have helped make Ready Steady Go Kids a trusted name with early learning centres across the Geelong Bellarine and Surf Coast regions, and she continues to represent the brand so strongly in everything she does.” Danie O’Connor, Franchisor of Ready Steady Go Kids