ABOUT RINKA

About Rinka Ireland

After a car accident made founder, Sarah Gillespie, realised the importance of children having a positive relationship with fitness. At the time of the accident, Sarah was a competitive Irish Dancer which meant she was able to fully recover from the injuries she sustained.

However, not every child loves dance or sport and therefore RINKA was born in order to reach ALL children and teach them about the benefits of movement and fitness.

Since it’s beginning in 2016, RINKA has continued to grow with a now national presence, and it’s success is undoubtedly down to the passion and care of the team behind it and the fact that it gives parents what they want – happy, healthy, confident children.

CHIEF IDEAS PERSON

CEO & Founder
Sarah Gillespie

With a passion in dance and fitness, Sarah trained as a personal trainer and sports therapist before the car accident moved her in a completely different direction. As a personal trainer, constantly meeting clients on the gym floor who had lost their way with fitness, Sarah decided that there had to move a more positive way to help children fall in love with movement in a non-competitive way. With a BBS in Business Management, Sarah took her skillset and went about creating Ireland’s largest children’s health and fitness provider for children. She also holds a level 6 in training and assessment, and most recently has graduated from University of Galway with a PGDip in Health Promotion.

Sarah Gillespie CEO Founder at RINKA Ireland

Chief Organiser
Sandra Griffin

A proud mother of two energetic boys AJ and KC, Sandra’s RINKA journey intertwines her love for family, her passion for fitness, and her dedication to nurturing young hearts and minds.

From her early days immersed in athletics, football, GAA, and rugby, Sandra developed a deep appreciation for the benefits of sports and the camaraderie it fosters. This foundation in physical activity laid the groundwork for her subsequent career in fitness.

Although loving all things fitness – at the time she really only thought of it as a hobby and went on to study business and marketing and started her career in the corporate world. While she enjoyed her roles, she never truly felt fulfilled. Following her gut, she went back to her studies and qualified as a fitness instructor and started on a new path. However, it was the joy of motherhood that truly ignited Sandra’s passion for helping others lead healthier lives. As she embraced the challenges and joys of raising her two boys, she recognised the profound impact that fitness and wellness could have on family dynamics and overall well-being.

Combining her roles as a mother and a fitness enthusiast, Sandra embarked on a journey to merge her expertise with her passion to make a difference. Joining RINKA as a franchisee during maternity leave in 2017 marked the beginning of her transformative path. Prior to having her own, she always had a love for children, with their boundless energy and pure hearts and to combine this with her love for fitness really was a dream come true.

Today, as Operations Director, Sandra channels her expertise into overseeing a nationwide team of instructors. Sandra’s knack for logistics and team management is what the team is built on. Her unique blend of maternal intuition, fitness know-how, and business savvy ensures that our RINKA family of instructors are happy and every child who participates in RINKA experiences the joy of movement and the power of health.

Sandra Griffin Chief Organiser at RINKA Ireland