Motion Fitness – a division of Pro Range (Pty) Ltd

Pro Range (Pty) Ltd was established in 1996 by a group of entrepreneurs with the principal goal of establishing and operating premier golf driving ranges in South Africa.

By the end of 1997 Pro Range, in association with its naming rights partners (Bell’s, Telkom and Vodacom) had successfully established 7 driving ranges situated in Gauteng (Gillooly’s, Centurion, and Randpark), the Western Cape (Tygervalley, Somerset West, Wynberg, and George).

In 1999, Pro Range became a subsidiary of Southern African Investments Limited (SAIL), a JSE listed Company recognised as South Africa’s premier Sports Brand business.

By the end of 2001, Pro Range had invested over R50 million into hard golfing assets which included property, buildings for clubhouses (incorporating retail golf equipment and food & beverage tenants), new driving fairways, practice and target greens and customised tee boxes. This was a sizeable investment, indicating Pro Range’s commitment to the promotion and future growth of golf in South Africa.

In May 2005 Pro Range signed a 5 year naming rights agreement with Vodacom, granting Vodacom exclusive naming rights to all Pro Range facilities whereby all ranges would be called ‘Vodacom Golf Villages’ . This agreement culminated in the demise of the Bell’s and Telkom Business Golf Academy range names.

In April 2005 SAIL sold Pro Range to the Cullinan van Gass Family Trust. The associated Vodacom Naming Rights package was also included in the purchase. A joint venture between Moregolf and Pro Range was entered into for the George Range (administered by Moregolf in Johannesburg). While the Gauteng ranges were sold to them.

An agreement between Moregolf and Pro Range was also concluded introducing a new aggressive sales & marketing strategy that brought about a radical and innovative change from the old concept of a ‘Bucket of Balls’ to the new ’Unlimited Balls’ model using a monthly debit order membership model coupled with an improved access control system.

Motion Fitness - About Us

In 2010 the Vodacom Naming Rights agreement came to an end and Pro Range re-launched The Golf Villages to the golfing public. Pro Range began diversifying its business interests and launched:

  • adi.tv – March 2010
  • Vodacom Direct – July 2010
  • Pro Motion Media – September 2010
  • The first Pro Range Gym (Movement) was opened in Somerset West – October 2010

The opening of Movement marked the beginning of a vision to penetrate the South African Gym market with boutique style gyms – working off our existing golf data base and membership acumen.

The team behind Pro Range (Pty) Ltd

Nic van Gass – Chairman

Nic qualified as a Charted Accountant in 1982 with Ernst and Young and worked in their Johannesburg and London Offices. He joined SAIL in 1994 where he gained experience in various senior positions including CEO, Managing Director and later as Executive – Shared Services. He left SAIL in 2005 to pursue the Pro Range opportunity.

Neil Strangleman – Managing Director

Neil started his employment within gyms in 1991 and gained 16 years of experience within the industry. Neil started his career as a Membership Consultant, followed by Membership Manger and later Regional Sales/ Club Manager. In 1996 he joined The Health and Racquet Group and filled the position of Sales Manger for 2 years after which he joined Planet Fitness as their Regional General Manager a position he held for 9 years, before joining the Pro Range Team in 2007.

Valery Strangleman – Admin Director

Val’s experience within gyms started in 1995 as a Receptionist within a small gym, after a year she started with Health & Racquet, where within 4 years she moved from Service Manager (2 years), Member Liaison Manager (5 months), Accountant (9 months) and Financial Manager (6 months). Valery moved to Planet Fitness as the Regional Admin and Finance Manager for 5 years before joining the Pro Range Team in 2005.

Alan Campbell – Director

Alan gained experience within gyms during his 5 year employment with Virgin Active and Planet Fitness. He started as an Assistant Sales Manager for 3 years, became National Training Manager for Planet Fitness for a year and later Area Sales Manager for Virgin Active. He left Virgin Active to become part of Pro Range Team in 2005.

Our Vision, Mission, Values and Goals

OUR VISION: “To be South Africa’s preferred partner in positive lifestyle choices”.

OUR MISSION: “To improve and enhance the lives of those whom we touch in a meaningful way, awakening their potential and setting them in motion”

OUR VALUES: We care about old fashioned values like honesty, integrity and accountability. We don’t claim to be perfect or to have arrived, but we are on the journey to get there. Journey with us!

  • Communication: To promote transparent verbal and written communication within Motion Fitness through all levels of the organisation.
  • Action: To contribute positively to all decision making processes and to be committed to the appropriate actions required of all those decisions.
  • Friendship: To engender and foster professionalism and loyalty to and from all our customers, both internal and external.
  • Honesty: To act and operate with integrity at all times by showing a true sense of respect and will to protect our ethics and values.
  • Passion: To continuously project a positive outlook by maintaining high energy levels that create a self starter attitude in the organisation.
  • Innovation: To continuously challenge our paradigm, to apply the required leverage to all diverse resources and to constantly evaluate multiple solutions for the benefit and growth of Motion Fitness.