Grasshoppers Soccer

What Grasshoppers Soccer does

Grasshoppers Soccer is an Australian children's soccer franchise founded in 1990 by Tighe O'Sullivan, operating under the positioning of Australia's #1 Non-Competitive Soccer Provider for children aged 2-12. The company runs an age-banded curriculum from Mite-E (2-3 years, parent-assisted) through Micro+ (8-12 years), plus ancillary offerings including School Programs, Holiday Programs, Birthday Parties, and Corporate Programs. Programs are delivered in parks, schools, and community ovals, requiring no facility investment.

The business operates exclusively through a franchise model adopted in 2008. Franchisees pay an initial investment of under $30,000 plus a monthly franchise fee, with no marketing royalty or other fees. The franchisor provides centralized systems including a CRM, website hosting, and email infrastructure, alongside training and ongoing support. Today the network spans 60+ franchisees in Australia and additional operators in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and South Africa, employing over 950 coaches across four countries (with Australia as the largest market).

End-customer revenue accrues to franchisees through parent enrollment fees, with disclosed franchisee economics ranging from $20,000 in a first term (working a single Saturday morning) to $35,000 per 8-week term and 1,500+ children across multi-territory operators. Grasshoppers Soccer monetizes only the franchise fees (initial plus monthly), making the parent company a relatively capital-light franchisor atop a larger system-level enrollment business. Corporate partnerships (Amaysim, McDonald's, Optus, Mentos, QBE) and deal-site distribution (Groupon, Scoopon) support marketing reach.

Name

Grasshoppers Soccer

Legal name

Grasshopper Soccer

Website

https://grasshoppersoccer.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Soccer Coaching

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intramural Sports & Recreational Leagues (EDALAIAC), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Children's soccer coaching
• Kids sports programs
• Youth soccer franchise
• Non-competitive soccer
• School holiday programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mandurah

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Franchise Fees: Initial franchise investment under $30,000 plus ongoing franchise fee. The only set monthly fee is the franchise fee with no marketing royalty or other additional fees charged.
2. Franchise Territory Revenue: Individual franchisees generate revenue through enrollment fees from families. Franchisees like Daniel Polesso turning over $20,000 in first term and $35,000 per 8-week term; Beethal with 300+ kids in Melbourne North; Matt Wells with 1,500+ children across 4 Perth territories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grasshoppers Soccer delivers age-appropriate, non-competitive soccer coaching programs for children aged 2-12 through its franchise network, spanning six child-cohort programs (Mite-E, Pint Size, Intro to Micro, Micro, Micro+) plus School Programs, Holiday Programs, Birthday Parties, and Corporate Programs held in parks, schools, and ovals. The company also licenses its proven business system, brand, and curriculum to individual franchisees for an initial investment under A$30,000 plus a monthly franchise fee.

Product overview

Grasshopper Soccer is a multi-program kids soccer franchise offering age-appropriate soccer coaching for children aged 2-12 years. The core product portfolio consists of nine distinct programs: Mite-E (2-3 years, parent-assisted), Pint Size (4-5 years), Intro to Micro (5-6 years), Micro (6-8 years), Micro+ (8-12 years), School Programs, Holiday Programs, Birthday Parties, and Corporate Programs. These programs run primarily from parks, schools, and ovals across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Mexico, and South Africa through a franchise model. The company positions itself as Australia's #1 Non-Competitive Soccer Provider, focusing on child development, confidence building, and life skills rather than competitive outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mite-E: Soccer program for toddlers aged 2-3 with parental involvement
• Pint Size
• Intro to Micro
• Micro
• Micro+
• School Programs
• Holiday Programs
• Birthday Parties
• Corporate Programs

Products and services

• Mite-E Parent-assisted soccer program for toddlers aged 2-3 years that introduces basic movement and ball skills through play in a fun, social environment.
• Pint Size Soccer program for children aged 4-5 years that introduces the basics of soccer with real matches and fundamental skill development.
• Intro to Micro Soccer program for children aged 5-6 years focusing on more advanced ball skills plus matches with more players.
• Micro Soccer program for children aged 6-8 years with a focus on match play; no soccer experience required.
• Micro+ Soccer program for children aged 8-12 years that serves as a transition from Micro to the challenge of club soccer.
• School Programs Soccer programs delivered within school settings, providing a structured way for students to play together during school hours.
• Holiday Programs Soccer programs running four times per year during school holidays, offering structured fun soccer activities for children.
• Birthday Parties Soccer-themed birthday party packages allowing children to celebrate with fun soccer activities.
• Corporate Programs Team building soccer programs for workplaces, designed to reduce stress and create team bonding opportunities.
• Grasshopper Soccer Franchise Franchise business opportunity that licenses the Grasshopper Soccer brand, non-competitive curriculum, and centralized website/CRM/email systems to individuals to operate programs in their own territory, for an initial investment under A$30,000 plus an ongoing monthly franchise fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Matt Wells (Perth franchisee) grew to 4 territories with 1,500+ children participating
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AmaysimminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2025Grasshopper Soccer announced partnership with Amaysim bringing rewards and surprises to families. Amaysim is rolling out $50 million in value to customers. Partnership focuses on community engagement and shared passion for soccer.
• McDonald'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Grasshopper Soccer programs
• OptusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Grasshopper Soccer programs
• MentosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Grasshopper Soccer programs
• QBEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Grasshopper Soccer programs
• Football Federation Victoria (FFV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Football Federation Victoria for soccer development programs
• ScooponminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeal site partnership for offering program vouchers
• GrouponminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeal site partnership for offering program vouchers
• Arnott'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partnership supporting Grasshopper Soccer programs

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• British Soccer Camps / Challenger Sports: Operates youth soccer camps and clinics across the U.S., UK, Canada and beyond. Comparable in delivering soccer instruction to children via franchise/affiliate territory operators, with similar school-camp and clinic revenue streams.
• First Touch Soccer: UK-based pre-school football coaching franchise for ages 18 months to 9 years. Direct competitor in the early-years non-competitive soccer space, sharing a franchise-distributed delivery model and UK market overlap with Grasshopper's UK operations.
• Little Kickers: Global franchise offering pre-school football classes to children aged 18 months to 7 years. Direct competitor in non-competitive early-years soccer instruction via a franchise/licensed-operator model across multiple countries, with overlapping age bands and curriculum philosophy.
• Soccer Shots: U.S.-based children's soccer program franchise serving ages 2-8 with age-appropriate curriculum delivered through childcare centres, schools, and parks. Closest U.S. analogue to Grasshopper Soccer's non-competitive, franchise-delivered model.

Others

• TeamKids (school holiday programs): Australian operator of school-holiday activity programs and OSHC services competing for the same parent wallet during holiday periods. Adjacent participant in Grasshopper's Holiday Programs vertical rather than a soccer-direct competitor.

Emerging players

• i9 Sports: U.S. youth sports franchise offering organized leagues, camps, and clinics across multiple sports including soccer. Comparable franchise-led delivery model to young athletes and families but broader multi-sport focus.
• Stretch-n-Grow: International children's fitness and sports franchise delivering preschool and after-school programs. Comparable international franchise model targeting early-years physical activity with classroom and community-based delivery.
• Jump Start Sports: U.S. youth sports instruction franchise specializing in school PE, recess, and after-school enrichment. Overlapping school-program channel and franchise-distributed kids' sports delivery with Grasshopper's School Programs vertical.
• myFC (My Football Club) Australia: Australian children's football coaching business delivering after-school and weekend programs. Local competitor targeting similar parents of children in the Grasshopper age range with comparable non-elite, participation-focused sessions.

Broad incumbents

• Football Australia / FFA Grassroots Programs: National governing body operating grassroots participation pathways, including MiniRoos and community club programs for young children. Competes indirectly for participation share and is referenced by Grasshopper as a transition pathway at the Micro+ stage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/GrasshopperSoccer1
• Facebookfacebook.com/GrasshopperSoccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/grasshoppersoccer
• Pinterestpinterest.com/grasshoppersoccer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grasshopper-soccer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grasshoppers Soccer