- didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen
In a detailed sit-down discussion, Vicky Macqueen, former England international and the dynamic Head of Women’s Rugby at Leicester Tigers, shared insights into her decision to leave her role at the end of the season and dedicate her efforts more time to didi rugby, the organisation she passionately founded. Her tenure at Leicester Tigers was marked by significant achievements, including establishing the club’s first women’s team in the Premiership Women’s Rugby.
Reflecting on her impactful stint, Vicky expressed deep pride, stating, “I’m immensely proud of the solid foundation we’ve built for women’s rugby at Leicester Tigers. Starting a team in the Premiership Women’s Rugby from scratch and seeing the growth and passion within the team has been incredibly fulfilling. The journey has had its challenges, but the resilience and dedication of everyone involved have truly inspired me.”
Throughout her tenure, Vicky spearheaded several key initiatives, such as implementing a comprehensive recruitment and high-performance program. She highlighted, “One of the major highlights has been working with a fantastic group of athletes and seeing them develop not just on the field but as individuals committed to excellence, which I believe will benefit the club in the long term.”
When asked about the motivation behind her decision to step down, Vicky revealed, “While I have loved my time with Leicester Tigers, it’s the right moment to shift my focus more intensely on didi rugby. didi rugby is something I am passionate about, and I want to dedicate more time to nurturing and expanding our programmes to reach more young children and instil in them a love for active living from an early age.”
She plans to leverage her extensive experience from women’s Premiership rugby to further influence and develop didi rugby. “My experience with the Tigers has reinforced my understanding of what it takes to build successful teams and programmes from the ground up. I plan to bring this knowledge and energy to didi rugby, enhancing our coaching methods, expanding our reach, and ensuring every child we engage with can benefit from a fun and inclusive environment.”
Looking forward to the future, Vicky is excited about several upcoming initiatives at didi rugby, particularly those aimed at expanding the organisation’s national and international presence, developing inclusive programmes for children of all abilities, and strengthening training processes. “Moreover, fostering partnerships with schools and local communities will be crucial as we aim to make a significant impact on children’s health and wellbeing,” she added.
As she prepares to focus more of her efforts on didi rugby, Vicky leaves a heartfelt message for the team and supporters of Leicester Tigers women’s rugby, “I would like to thank everyone at Leicester Tigers and all the supporters for their incredible support and belief in the women’s programme. I have no doubt that the team will continue to grow and achieve great things. Keep supporting and cheering for these amazing athletes. Their journey is just beginning, and they have so much more to achieve.”
For more information about Vicky’s future initiatives and didi rugby, please contact: Christina Benneworth, christina.benneworth@didirugby.com
