Aberdeenshire coach celebrates a year of free sports coaching to rural schools with Business Gateway support
An Aberdeenshire sports coach has delivered free sports coaching to 7,000 pupils through weekly sessions at rural primary schools across the region, a year after launching his business with support from Business Gateway.
Robert Bartlett set up Fit-Ba Sports in August 2025 to run health and wellbeing sessions through sport for children at schools throughout Aberdeenshire. Each week, pupils take part in coached sessions designed to build fitness, teamwork and confidence through a range of sports and activities. The business now reaches children at Auchterless, Crudie, Fyvie Primary, King Edward Primary, Monquhitter, Ordiquhill and Turriff Primary schools, with Robert having delivered over 400 across the schools in the past year.
Robert previously worked as a sports coach for a charity in Aberdeen City, running free sessions for pupils during the school day. Living in Turriff, 45 minutes from Aberdeen, he saw that children in rural parts of Aberdeenshire had no equivalent access. Families faced extra costs, such as travel, and no organisation nearby offered the service to schools.
Robert first approached Business Gateway with the aim of running sessions in four schools. Cameron Shore, his Business Gateway adviser, provided expert one-to-one guidance to help him get started. Through Cameron’s support in signposting funding, Robert was able to apply for the Aberdeenshire Start-Up Grant and received £1,000, which he used to buy sports equipment and improve the quality of his sessions.
Cameron also advised Robert on the legal requirements of running a business and worked with him on his marketing and sponsorship approach. Robert has since secured backing from several local businesses, which has helped him expand into three more schools and improve what he can offer pupils. He also received a day of one-to-one marketing support through Business Gateway’s Expert Help service.
Robert Bartlett, owner of Fit-Ba Sports, said: “This first year has gone past so quick, with more than 400 sessions held across the schools and some magical moments throughout. Developing skills and techniques is important, but it’s just as important to give every child access to different sports and activities, and the confidence to try something new.
“The sessions have been full of smiles, teamwork and children stepping outside their comfort zones. Their confidence and effort has grown massively, and I’m incredibly proud of them all.
“This year also saw 35 P7 pupils join our Rising Stars programme, developing leadership skills by supporting younger pupils. That’s given them life skills they can carry into secondary school and beyond.
“Business Gateway has been a huge part of making this growth possible. The support means I’m now able to work across more schools and deliver a better experience for the kids because of it.”
Cameron Shore, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Robert came to us with a clear idea and a genuine gap to fill. Rural schools in Aberdeenshire don’t always have access to the same opportunities as those in the city, and Robert set out to change that and has made a real impact in the local community.
“Watching a first-time business owner turn a personal conviction into something this many children benefit from every week is exactly why I do this job and I look forward to continuing to support Robert as he develops Fit-Ba Sports.”