Esporta chair, John Grieves, was upbeat at today's AGM, following a 31 per cent growth in memberships since April last year. Following the annual results launched in March, when pre-tax profits soared 77 per cent to £11m, Grieves told the AGM that the buoyant business has continued during March and April, and that the board is 'particularly pleased' by the progress in Esporta's European operation in Las Rozas, Madrid. Total membership now stands at 163,000, of which 39,000 are children, an increase in 11 per cent since year-end and 31 per cent on last year. Esporta is on schedule to achieve its target set at flotation in 1999 of doubling its club portfolio by 2002 to 46 clubs.