VIDEO: Why we all love didi rugby

There are so many reasons to love didi rugby.

Young boys and girls love running around, having fun and learning new skills while making new friends and growing in confidence.

Their parents, carers and grandparents love seeing their children grow in confidence and have fun knowing they are being taken care of in a safe environment.

Coaches love seeing the children in their classes getting really stuck in, mixing well and forming really strong bonds with those who share their fun every week.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen with franchise holders

Committed support

Franchise holders love seeing their businesses grow with strong, passionate and committed support from didi rugby UK – a team of people who help with their delivery, planning, financial structure, marketing and much more.

And didi rugby UK, led by influencial founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen BEM, love seeing more and more people engaged, having fun and being active.

“We all love didi rugby!”

VIDEO: didi rugby stars takes centre stage at Wasps Rugby Fans’ Village

didi rugby stars took centre stage at Wasps Rugby’s Fans Village before a Gallagher Premiership game at the Ricoh Arena.

Following an invite from the Wasps Community team, founder Vicky Macqueen and a number of coaches from didi rugby franchises around the country demonstrated the classes that thousands of children around the country are now enjoying.

Young didi members had great fun showing off their skills and confidence in front of a good crowd at the ‘Wasps Nest’.

Some didi stars were interviewed and shown on big screens around the Fans Village.

didi rugby takes centre stage at Wasps Rugby

Then, children and their parents were able to go through and watch the game between Wasps Rugby and Newcastle Falcons.

Parents made comments like: “Louie loved the didi rugby session and his first ever rugby match. Thank you for the experience.”

"We had an amazing time"

And: “We had an amazing time, having our rugby class at the club before we went outside to watch Wasps play their match. My 4 year old twins enjoyed shouting and cheering on the team. Thank you didi rugby.”

It was the second consecutive year that didi rugby has been invited to appear at Wasps Fans Village and with classes held in nearby cities, towns and villages like CoventryKenilworthMarket BosworthLichfield and Nuneaton, it was no surprise there was such a big turn out.

With links at many of the country’s leading Gallagher Premiership clubs, a similar experience could be coming to other areas soon.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen thanked everyone who came to make it such a memorable day.

“It was great to be able to showcase just what didi rugby can offer on such a big stage. The children, parents, coaches and frnachise owners had a blast and I want to thank them all for coming.”

Vicky’s Blog: Yoga in India became a wonderful reality and time for reflection

During a time of national division, I am sure we can all come together and agree that life tends to fly by at a rapid rate.

We all do our best to get through from day to day – and then move on to the next one.

In an ideal world, there would be time to reflect and look back to see what we have done right and what we have done wrong. The good bits, we can try again…the bad bits, we can learn from.

As busy people, that time for reflection never seems to arrive, however.

So when my good friend Vicky Cropp asked me to go to India with her to spend a few days in a yoga retreat, it sounded amazing, but totally unrealistic.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen spreads didi rugby values in India

Extended family

The support I received from my husband and extended family though was amazing and they encouraged me to make the trip for all the reasons I have just mentioned.

Vicky and I have been on a long journey together since we both left Redmoor Academy school in Hinckley, Leicestershire in July 2016 to focus on our respective businesses.

I set up didi rugby and she launched The Yoga Loft. Two-and-a-half years down the line and we are both really pleased with our progress.

Being in the middle of spreading didi rugby’s values every day has made me a good judge of that business’ progress and I have also been close to The Yoga Loft with two visits a week as part of my routine.

I have found a huge mental benefit of spending a short time to myself doing yoga. That headspace allows me to gather my thoughts, reflect and look forward. As well as the physical and mental health benefits, it also allows me the chance to do some physical activity with my mum who can ‘crow pose’ and stand on her head at the age of 72!

Space to reflect

India was amazing and mine and Vicky’s time in Sampoorna, Goa gave us that space to reflect on our progress as individuals and the time to think clearly on our future progress.

It gave me some time to think about the bigger picture for didi rugby, where are we going, where are we growing and how can we have the biggest positive impact on little ones’ lives.

I managed to take some kit and balls over with me and thoroughly enjoyed giving out balls and clothing to the local children while we were out there. Many of them were living in poverty but still had the biggest smiles of their faces and were so grateful to receive a didi ball to play with and a didi tee-shirt to wear. Some of their skills were fabulous too!

I have re-set, reflected and taken time to see the bigger picture and show gratitude for everything I have. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see some of my plans for didi rugby come to fruition in the near future.

If – and I know that is a big ‘if’ from personal experience – you can find some time to reflect and take stock, it really is worth doing.

didi rugby is launching its first classes in central Gloucester at Longlevens RFC

didi rugby Gloucestershire are opening their first venue in central Gloucester after forming an exciting new partnership with Longlevens RFC.

The launch will take place on Sunday 28 April and will give those children and parents who book their free place a chance to play, have fun, tackle the obstacle course and not only meet didi rugby mascots, Dougie and Daisy but also meet didi rugby ambassadors from England and Gloucester’s Hartpury WRFC.

The launch party will last from 9am to 11am and then regular 40-minute classes will follow every Sunday afterwards at the same time for all three didi rugby age groups from 18 months up to 6 years of age.

didi rugby Gloucestershire launched in June 2018 with ex-England star Susie Appleby as head coach. Classes are now thriving in centres at Lydney RFCCinderford RFC and Highnam C of E Academy.

didi rugby Gloucestershire’s launch last June

The fourth venue will be their first in Gloucester and Susie’s fellow director Suzanne Appleby-Jones says they cannot wait to get started in what is a hotbed of rugby activity.

“Our fourth centre and our first in central Gloucester, will launch at Longlevens RFC on 28 April,” she said. “We are delighted to be working with this inclusive and family-orientated club.”

Facebook page

A new Facebook page has been set up to focus on the franchise’s centres in Gloucester and that can be followed and liked at https://www.facebook.com/didiGloucester

didi rugby Gloucestershire will maintain its current Facebook page to focus on anything that is happening at venues out in the county such as Lydney, Cinderford and Highnam. That can be found at https://www.facebook.com/didiGlos/

Book your child’s free place at the Longlevens RFC launch by clicking here or for more information, email Suzanne at suzanne.appleby-jones@didirugby.com

Book your child’s place at regular classes every Sunday after the launch by clicking here.

Longlevens RFC can be found on Longford Lane, Longlevens, Gloucester, GL2 9EU.

Meet the didi rugby mascots Dougie and Daisy in person at the Longlevens RFC launch…

Director Matt Cropp tells the story of how didi rugby began over a quick chat at a rugby club

Company director, Matt Cropp tells the story of of how didi rugby began over a quick chat at a rugby club.

Years later, the franchise business is booming and thousands of children have become active, learned new skills and grown in confidence as a result of attending didi rugby classes.

And Matt says that’s only just the start of things to come.

“I have young kids and I do everything possible to get them outside and active and Vicky’s passion and enthusiasm were infectious and I wanted to be involved with it.

“The key to the whole didi concept is getting people active and the speed at which this has grown has surprised me.

“Vicky is involved at every single level and her passion for this comes through at every level too. She is an ex-England rugby player and she knows exactly the skills these children need as they are growing up.”

didi rugby director Matt Cropp

didi rugby takes centre stage at Wasps Rugby and leaves everyone buzzing

didi rugby stars and their parents made the most of a tremendous opportunity as they were able to show off their considerable skills in the Wasps Rugby Fans’ Village.

Before the Ricoh Stadium hosted Wasps’ Gallagher Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons, children throughout the didi rugby age group were invited to take part in classes that were played out in front of big crowds in high pre-game spirits.

Hundreds of children and parents visited the didi rugby area and joined in the fun with coaches and founder Vicky Macqueen.

didi rugby was invited to show what it could do after hooking up with Wasps Community.

Vicky was also interviewed during the day in a broadcast which was shown on the huge TV screens in the Fans Village – nicknamed the Wasps’ Nest.

didi rugby mascots Dougie and Daisy were spreading the fun too which was also enjoyed by franchise owners who helped put on a very busy class schedule.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen is interviewed in the Wasps Fans Village

Free tickets

And Wasps Rugby lock Marcus Garratt also popped in to meet children and parents, answers questions and have pictures taken with visitors.

Families from all over the country, who attend regular didi rugby classes then enjoyed free tickets to the game outside after the fun inside came to an end.

And feedback from the event on social media spread some wonderful pictures and thank-yous from happy parents.

One of them, Sarah Whitmore said her son had enjoyed a day he wouldn’t forget and posted on Facebook: “Zachy had the most amazing time at didi rugby’s demo day at Wasps.

“Thank you so much to Vicky and didi rugby, he is so happy!

Physical ability

“I have said it before but the impact Vicky and Emma have had on him through didi rugby is something else! His physical ability has come on massively!”

Vicky Macqueen said: “It was fantastic to be centre of attention in front of so many people who could see what didi rugby not only has to offer, but realise what it means to the children who take part in our classes all over the area and further afield.

“A big thank you to Wasps for having us and to the parents who bought their kids and came from far and wide to take part in our demos and classes.

“They were also able to enjoy free tickets to the Wasps v Newcastle game and I hope they had as good a time as we did.”

New Cheltenham franchise owner already knows the power of what didi rugby can achieve

The new owner of didi rugby’s latest franchise already knows the power of what his classes can achieve.

Keith Smith will be launching didi rugby Cheltenham at Cheltenham Civil Service RFC on Sunday 5 May with a host of experience already in the bag.

The former Gloucester, Lydney, Cinderford and Cheltenham Saracens rugby player first got involved with didi rugby when he spoke to the owners of the Gloucester franchise, Susie Appleby and Suzanne Appleby-Jones.

He was soon assistant coaching with them in schools and then started coaching his own class in Highnam.

A chat with didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen then followed and now Keith is preparing to bring his skill and knowledge base to Cheltenham to try and get more kids active and playing a sport which is hugely popular in the area.

didi rugby Cheltenham’s owner Keith Smith

Transformation

“I have already seen at my Highnam class the positive influence that didi rugby can have on children,” he said.

“There were two lads who were really shy and quiet when they started are now, they are flying around the hall and their dads cannot believe the transformation.

“That shows what can be done by getting children active and involved in sport.

“I am firm believer in kids being active and getting them off their computers and consoles and into getting outside their houses to have fun and play sport. Hopefully, we can get plenty of children involved in the Cheltenham area.”

It is likely that didi rugby Cheltenham will be a family affair too with daughter Ellie (16) expected to join the coaching set-up. The talented teenager is heading to Hartpury College to do athletics and will be getting stuck in with dad to increase her experience too.

Talented coach

Suzanne Appleby-Jones has worked closely with Keith for the last six months while he was under their wing at didi rugby Gloucestershire and she says he is a talented coach and a real asset to didi rugby.

“Having worked initially as an assistant, Keith has led classes in primary schools and is now lead coach of our newest centre, Highnam C of E Academy which we launched in January,” she said.

“I’m sure that his classes will be a great success in Cheltenham.”

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen says she is excited by the launch of the company’s 23rd franchise.

“Keith has been coaching within the didi rugby set-ups for months already so he is part of the family and knows what is needed to deliver fun, exciting and informative classes,” said Vicky.

“He has a real passion for all sports, not just rugby, and is a cricket coach as well. His ethos for getting kids active fits in perfectly with what we are trying to achieve at didi rugby and I am sure his Cheltenham classes will be buzzing.”

didi rugby Lichfield set for exciting development plans

They were the people behind incredible franchise launches in Stafford and Stone and now, Mollie Latham and Ros Wiggins are taking over the running of didi rugby Lichfield.

The dynamic duo, who have taken the north west by storm with their fun approach to classes, can’t wait to get started in an area which already has a firm didi base thanks to the hard work of coach Carmel Elliott.

And regular attendees will be pleased to hear that Carmel is going nowhere and will continue to work with Mollie and Ros to grow the classes.

“We are looking forward to working with Carmel to put our ideas into practice,” said Mollie

Mollie Latham takes a didi rugby class

Build links

“Lichfield is a strong rugby area with some fantastic clubs around and we are determined to build links and give as many young children as possible the opportunity to have fun and get active.”

Having only launched didi rugby Stone and Stafford at the end of January, there are already dozens of children across the three age groups enjoying regular classes there.

“It has been amazing for us and the support we have received from families and businesses in the area has been fantastic,” said Mollie.

And Mollie and Ros’ enthusiasm has really rubbed off on everyone who has met them.

Healthy exercise

One parent, Sarah Golson said: “didi rugby is an amazing way to get kids into healthy, fun, social exercise from a young age. Ros and Mollie are fantastic!”

There is more excitement to come for members of the didi rugby Stafford classes this Saturday after they were asked to become a guard of honour for Stafford RUFC when they take on Leek at 3.00pm.

The didi rugby team have developed a great link with the club and are looking to hold classes their later in the year on Sunday mornings.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen said: “Mollie and Ros have made an amazing impact in the north west having taught classes in Crewe and Nantwich before taking on their own franchise in Stone and Stafford.

“They have infectious personalities and have a great rapport with both parents and children. Carmel Elliott has been doing a great job in Lichfield and having Mollie and Ros involved now will mean she can help develop the venue and expand in the surrounding area.”

FREE TICKETS available for didi rugby parents and kids for amazing day at Wasps v Newcastle

We have an amazing opportunity for didi rugby parents and kids to come and spend a day with us as centre of attention at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday 9 March.

We are giving away FREE TICKETS to watch Wasps v Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership.

Your child will be encouraged to come and have some fun with us and mascots Dougie and Daisy. They will take part in didi demos in the Fans’ Village – and then appear on the pitch at half-time.

It is ‘first come, first served’, so please contact your local franchise manager to make your request for family tickets.

With the location of the Ricoh, this would obviously be an ideal day out for those attending didi rugby Coventry, didi rugby Midlands, didi rugby South Warwickshire, didi rugby Bosworth, Nuneaton and Enderby, as well as didi rugby Rutland and East Leicestershire.

didi rugby has a great day planned for children and parents

Tremendous day

didi rugby were invited to Wasps last year and enjoyed a tremendous day at the village before the home side beat London Irish 24-16 on the pitch.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen said the team could not wait to get back there to show everyone what didi children can do.

“We were made to feel very welcome last year and I like to think that all the kids and parents who took part on the day enjoyed themlselves,” said Vicky.

“I was very proud of everyone who came and this year’s visit looks set to be even bigger.

“I would like to thank Wasps and their community team for all of their help in giving us this opprtunity to get children active and having fun in a fantastic setting.”

DIDI FAMILY BLOG: There’s no need for your child to be ‘just a footballer’ – they can play rugby too

In the third of a series of blogs from our franchise holders around the country, didi rugby Crewe and Nantwich’s Katie Heirene urges parents to give their kids a broad spectrum of sports from a young age

When I discuss what I do as a didi rugby coach in the Crewe and Nantwich communities, I get some parents saying to me: “That sounds good. Unfortunately, my son/daughter is a footballer.

If I had a pound for every time I had heard that, I would be a lot better off.

Don’t worry, this is not going to be one of those football-baiting blogs, which parades the benefits of rugby over the round-ball sport.

Far from it.

Football is one of my favourite sports and the incredible beauty of it, is it can be played absolutely anywhere.

There are loads of community football organisations which run fantastic clubs. Most importantly, these organisations are inspiring kids and getting them active. My own son Zach attends one of them and he loves his time there.

didi rugby kids get ready to kick a ball – just like footballers do

But just because your child plays football, it doesn’t mean they can’t play rugby too.

In so many sports, there are fundamental skill cross-overs, like spatial awareness, balance and co-ordination, stamina, pace, ball control (whether that be with your hands or your feet), not to mention values such as teamwork, respect and discipline and most crucially the ability to listen and be coached.

Zach takes part in a whole host of sports and I would love him to do more of them.

This summer, he is really hoping to have a go at cricket and tennis. Two sports that are often played alongside one another. I am yet to hear any parent tell me that their child “can’t play cricket because they play tennis instead”.

Different sports

After all, how will Zach know what he is going to enjoy the most until he actually has a chance to try it? Giving them the chance to try different sports is so important because it enables them to gain so many different skills that they can use in later life on and off the sports field.

So who is to say that because you play football, you can’t also enjoy rugby?

We have many kids that come along to our didi rugby sessions who play both sports, some even on the same morning!

I fully appreciate that the wallet or purse can only stretch so far, but I urge you to try and give your children the opportunity to play sports like rugby – even if you, and them, only have football in your hearts at the minute.