Roo Sports International and The Sports Gurukul launches Ready Steady Go Kids in India

Roo Sports International (RSI) Australia and The Sports Gurukul (TSG) India have joined hands to launch Ready Steady Go Kids (RSGK) in India. The sports programme is scientifically designed for children aged one-and-a-half to six years to help instil values of fitness and discipline at a grassroot level. 

Almost 30% of India’s population is under the age of fourteen years, and sports education is the one effective tool that brings together children from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultivate their holistic development.

Sports play an integral role in physiological, cognitive and social development of children of all age. RSGK is therefore a unique initiative which shall enable holistic growth and development for children that partake in it under the guidance of Mr. John Buchanan.

Having served as the head coach of the Australian Cricket Team from 1999 to 2007, Mr. Buchanan is involved in the administration of the RSGK programme. With thirty years of experience as a peak performance coach in sports as well as business industries, Mr. Buchanan’s perspective has been crucial in designing the sports curriculum to strike the right balance between fun and discipline. Under his leadership, RSGK brings to India the Australian perspective on sports lifestyle, breaking the Indian stereotypes around sports education and training for children in schools.

Set to launch in India across five centres in Mumbai and Vadodara, this programme aims to build over 150+ franchisee-based programmes across the country within the next five years with a special curriculum for training pre-school children. Moreover, any pre-school in the country can enhance their offerings by incorporating this programme into their curriculum. RSI is open to work with pre-school chains, thereby making RSGK more accessible to its target groups – children and parents.

It is unfortunate that people in India fail to acknowledge the importance of sports in the holistic development of children, and the advantage of physical activity in the overall well-being of an individual of any age. This mindset is changing, though it needs to change more rapidly for long-term benefits of a child. According to studies conducted by government agencies, children in India are spending an average of 7.2 hours studying as opposed to 39 minutes of physical activity. 

Over the last ten years, The Sports Gurukul (TSG) has been working to spread awareness about importance of sports and physical education in the country by working with schools nationwide. By providing education, training and management pertaining to sports in schools and colleges across 50 cities in India, TSG is committed to take sports to the next level.

As RSI’s partner for Ready Steady Go Kids India, TSG strives to highlight the Indian sports heritage as well. Therefore, the programme will incorporate indigenous games and exercises, including yoga, kabaddi, and kho-kho in addition to ten other sports activities which are part of the international curriculum.

Ready Steady Go Kids is supported by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ-Queensland government) and aids RSI’s mission to cater to the needs of children from a tender age and expand their market internationally.

Sharing thoughts on the scenario of Indian sports, Mr. Jay Shah, Co-founder of The Sports Gurukul and CEO of Ready Steady Go Kids India, said:

“A lack of sporting culture in our country is not due to lack of spaces or funds alone but more so essentially due to lack of ideas and initiatives from people.

“This programme is unique and completes that lack of a quality programme for age groups one-and-a-half to six years which helps children develop motor abilities through sports skills.“

Mr. Abhinav Bhatia, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner-South Asia at TIQ, said:

“It’s exciting to see top quality sports training and education coming over from Australia to India. These programmes ensure the children’s physical, social, emotional, and psychological well-being. John and his team have a deep understanding of using sports as the teaching medium, and Jay’s team has an excellent network in India. 

“That is why I am very proud of the work my team did in facilitating this partnership. This engagement also aligns well as Brisbane gears up for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Mr. John Buchanan said:

“To grow and scale the franchised programme, it is essential that we partner with a reliable and respected Indian business. We have found this in The Sports Gurukul. Their Co-founder Mr. Jay Shah are as excited as we are to be able to partner to deliver such a unique, fun and fundamental programme for the physical, emotional, psychological, social and health benefits for children aged between one-and-a-half and six.“