This Donegal Town woman will be putting her RINKA activity franchise on the map.

RTE’s Nationwide is set to feature a familiar face this week as they tell the story of Sarah Gillespie and her high-energy RINKA brand.

The next episode on Monday 12th March, RTE One at 7pm with have an interview with Sarah on how she developed a new style of non-competitive fitness activity as “an alternative to mainstream sport” which embraces kids of all abilities. With RINKA, kids gain fitness through drama, dance and art, often without even realising that they are working out.

Sarah is a former competitive Irish dancer and drama teacher with a remarkable business story, which she will be sharing to reveal how she was inspired to make fitness fun for all children.

RINKA Founder Sarah Gillespie

Nationwide cameras visited Sarah to film classes in actions, interviews with parents and other instructors.

Speaking to Donegal Woman ahead of the programme, Sarah said that excitement is at an all time high among her pupils as they look forward to seeing themselves on television.

“I’m really excited about the show as it’s a great opportunity to showcase RINKA’s huge health and developmental benefits for children of all ages,” she said.

“I was delighted that RINKA was selected for Nationwide as we have the potential to make a big difference in the lives of so many children. We are currently reaching over 2,000 kids a week with our classes but there are so many more kids out there that need some positive guidance to get involved with fitness. I’m hoping that the Nationwide appearance will help us spread our message that fitness is fun,” she added

Rinka

The RINKA brand has already been picked up nationwide, as Sarah has franchised her business model across Ireland with branches in Sligo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Westmeath, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Cork with more locations starting after Easter.

New instructors are currently being sought to help bring the RINKA experience of Donegal to children all over Ireland.

As spirited as her classes are, Sarah is a young businesswoman with boundless motivation. In developing RINKA, Sarah has drawn on all of her previous experience in drama, Irish dance, fitness and business. She competed as an Irish Dancer to World Championship level and has danced and taught kids across the globe. She trained as sports therapist and personal trainer; ran her own successful children’s drama academy and achieved a first class degree in Business Management from NUI Maynooth.

If you would like to see RINKA in action and hear Sarah’s story, then RTE’s Nationwide will be one to watch this Monday.

RINKA makes fitness child’s play on RTE’s NATIONWIDE