From Sidelines to Centre Court: Terence Huynh's Ready Steady Go Kids Story

Terence Huynh is a man who understands the value of a strong foundation. As the owner of the Ready Steady Go Kids franchise for the Ryde and Ashfield regions, with classes at Burwood Community Centre and Concord Presbyterian Church & Scout Hall Central Park, Concord, he has seen firsthand how the right environment can transform a child. His journey with the organisation began long before he stepped into a business role. It started on the sidelines as a parent.

What first attracted Terence to Ready Steady Go Kids was the way it combined two of his greatest passions which are working with children and playing sport.

He had the opportunity to watch his own daughters participate in the program when they were younger. Through their participation, he observed the positive impact the classes had on their confidence, coordination, and general enjoyment of physical activity. He has always had a natural rapport with children. Even when he was a child himself, he found himself naturally looking after and engaging with those younger than him. When he saw the coaching roles at Ready Steady Go Kids, he knew he could make a genuine difference. He wanted to be a person who could foster a lifelong love of sport while building the self belief of every child he met.

The decision to take the leap into franchise ownership was influenced by his stage of life. At the time, Terence was a stay at home dad raising his two daughters and working casual shifts as a disability support worker. As his youngest child approached preschool and primary school age, he began to consider his next career move. The idea of owning a franchise had crossed his mind years earlier when his daughters were enrolled, but the timing was not quite right at that stage.

A chance encounter changed everything. While his wife was out for a walk one day, she spotted a Ready Steady Go Kids van belonging to the previous owner, Coach Peter. Terence still had the contact details for Peter from when his daughters attended classes. He decided to reach out to reconnect and learn more about the business. As it happened, Peter was looking to sell the franchise. One conversation led to another and everything fell into place perfectly. It felt as though the opportunity found him at exactly the right time.

Now that he is leading the Ryde and Ashfield regions, what he loves most is witnessing the growth of the children over time. Some of the most rewarding moments occur when he works with children who are initially hesitant to participate. They might be shy or clinging to a parent at the start of the term. Week by week, he watches their confidence build as they become more comfortable and start to thrive. There is a pure joy on a child's face when they achieve a goal they have been working towards. Whether it is scoring a goal, making a basket, or catching a ball for the first time, those small successes are significant.

Terence notes that the biggest change he sees in children is their confidence. Those who start as hesitant individuals often grow into confident participants who are eager to join in and celebrate their achievements. He also sees significant improvements in their coordination and motor skills. Through the practice of different sports, children develop better balance, body awareness, and overall physical literacy. Social development is another key area of growth. The program encourages children to take turns, listen to instructions, and build friendships. These are essential skills for school readiness, helping children transition smoothly into preschool and primary school environments.

Terence truly believes that the multi sport nature of the program is what sets it apart from other activities. Over the course of two terms, the program introduces children to the fundamentals of ten different sports. This variety keeps the sessions engaging and fun while providing broad developmental benefits. By using different muscle groups and developing a wider set of motor skills, children build a stronger foundation for their future in physical activity. This approach keeps children motivated and interested because they are constantly exploring new skills rather than repeating the same sport every week.

Owning a franchise has had a positive impact on the personal life of Terence as well. The flexibility of the role allows him to be very present for his family. He can handle school drop offs and pick ups, act as a driver for the extracurricular activities of his children, and help with daily routines like meal preparation. This balance between work and family life is invaluable to him. He also enjoys the health benefits of being active and on his feet throughout the day. It is a rewarding career that allows him to contribute to the community while maintaining a healthy work life balance.

The support from the Head Office and the wider network has been excellent throughout his journey. Terence finds the network to be extremely helpful and collaborative. There is a strong sense of teamwork because each franchise operates within its own territory. This structure means that everyone is invested in growing the brand and strengthening the program as a whole rather than competing against one another.

When asked what he would say to someone thinking about starting their own franchise, his advice is clear. He says that if the timing is right and you genuinely love working with children, you should take the leap. It is a rewarding opportunity to build something meaningful and create a positive impact in your community while shaping a lifestyle that works for your family.

Outside of his work with Ready Steady Go Kids, Terence is a family focused person. He is a proud father to two daughters and values the support of his wife, who has been his rock throughout this journey. He is also an enthusiast for Japanese culture, having spent four years living and teaching English in Japan. He enjoyed the culture and spent many hours participating in karaoke during those years. He is also a fan of NRL SuperCoach and enjoys the competitive fun it provides. A fun fact about Terence is that while his mother has eight brothers and five sisters, he is an only child. He grew up surrounded by a very large extended family despite being an only child at home.

The story of Terence is a wonderful example of how passion and timing can come together to create a fulfilling career. As Danie O'Connor, Franchisor shares, "Terence is exactly the kind of person we love having in our network. He is dedicated, warm hearted, and he truly understands the impact this program has on families, because he lived it first as a parent. Seeing him grow his business across Burwood and Concord and build such a strong connection with his community has been incredibly rewarding to watch. I am proud to have people like Terence leading our programs and inspiring the next generation of active children."