From 150 Online Students to a Thriving Gymnastics Club: How Coach Sveta Built It on Classcard
"By moving our registrations and payments online, Classcard eliminated the need for long lines and a large administrative team. We have significantly reduced our overhead costs while providing parents the convenience of booking and paying instantly from their phones."
Svitlana AlSayyed
Founder
About
Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club specializes in offering coaching services aimed at personal development and empowerment. The coaching focuses on helping individuals achieve their goals through personalized strategies and support. They offer classes for all ages and skill levels, catering to beginners and aspiring competitors alike.
children taught in free online classes during COVID - the foundation of today's academy
~90%
reduction in parent communication overhead with real-time lesson access via Classcard
~8 hrs
saved per week on enrolment, attendance and payment admin
Challenge
Launching a gymnastics club from scratch means building every system yourself. Enrolment processes, payment collection, attendance tracking, parent communication, none of it comes ready-made. In the early days of Coach Sveta, Svitlana was managing all of these functions manually, alongside coaching multiple sessions a week and building the programme itself.
Parent communication was particularly demanding. Families needed to know about session schedules, changes, their child's progress, and upcoming events. Without a central platform, that information had to be pushed out individually, through messages and calls that consumed time Svitlana needed for coaching. The risk of parents missing important updates, or having to chase information they should have received automatically, was real and constant.
As the club grew from its online origins into a full in-person programme, the administrative load grew with it. Svitlana needed a system that could handle enrolment, payments, attendance, and parent communications without requiring her to manage each one manually.
Solution
Classcard gave Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club the infrastructure it needed to operate professionally. Enrolment moved online, making it easy for parents to register their children and complete payments without needing to arrange anything in person. Attendance tracking moved to a digital log that coaches could update in real time. Session schedules, progress notes, and upcoming events became accessible to parents through the platform rather than requiring individual communication from Svitlana.
That last change was the one that made the most visible difference. Parents of young gymnasts want to feel informed and involved. When a parent can check their child's schedule, see attendance records, and receive updates without having to ask, their confidence in the club increases. For Coach Sveta, that transparency is not just an operational convenience. It reflects the kind of club Svitlana wants to run.
The administrative time Svitlana reclaimed from manual processes went back into coaching and programme development, which is where her attention belongs. 'Once the right systems were in place,' she says, 'I could focus entirely on the coaching.'
Results
Building a Dream, One Tumble at a Time
Svitlana AlSayyed's journey with the Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club began unexpectedly, fueled by a global pandemic and a passion for coaching. Svitlana's journey began during the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with a career change and a locked-down city, she felt a pang for the kids who were missing out on physical activity and social interaction. Determined to make a difference, Svitlana started free online gymnastics classes.
What began as a small act of kindness blossomed into something much bigger. Within a few months, Svitlana had over 150 children participating in her virtual classes. While these weren't formal training sessions, they provided a much-needed outlet for the children's energy and a chance for Svitlana to connect with them.
As restrictions eased, the enthusiasm from the online classes translated into a real-world demand. Parents were eager to enroll their children in proper gymnastics training. This was the turning point for Svitlana. Realizing the potential and her own love for coaching, she embarked on the exciting journey of establishing a full-fledged gymnastics club.
Challenges and Triumphs: Finding the Perfect Fit
Opening a new business is never without its hurdles. Svitlana, however, isn't one to dwell on difficulties. She emphasizes the positive aspects of her experience, highlighting the element of serendipity. Finding the right location and building a strong team felt like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
One of the key factors for the Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club's success is Svitlana's commitment to leveraging technology. Classcard has streamlined several key areas for Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club. Managing student information, parent communication, and online payments has become seamless. As a parent herself, Svitlana understands the importance of convenience. Classcard empowers parents to register and pay for classes effortlessly while freeing up valuable time for Svitlana and her team.
A Look Towards the Future: Building Champions and a Legacy
Looking ahead, Svitlana's aspirations extend beyond the gym's walls. Her dream is to nurture a club that produces some of the UAE's most talented gymnasts. She aspires to raise champions, organize high-caliber events, and elevate the sport to new heights within the region.
As Coach Sveta Rhythmic Gymnastics Club continues to flourish, Svitlana acknowledges the importance of continuous learning. One of her biggest takeaways is the power of trust and delegation. Initially, she felt the need to be involved in every aspect, but Svitlana has learned to empower her team, leading to a more efficient and well-rounded operation.
With a one-year-old keeping her busy, Svitlana's free time is precious. But before motherhood, she was an avid beach tennis player, a testament to her active spirit and love for movement.
