Extra classes put in to satisfy demand for launches of didi rugby Stone and Stafford

The launch of didi rugby Stone and Stafford over the next few weeks has caused so much interest that extra classes are having to be put on to satisfy demand.

New franchise owners Mollie Latham and Ros Wiggins say they have been ‘blown away’ by the amount of parents and children who have signed up to attend what looks like being two memorable opening days.

didi rugby Stafford will go live this Saturday (26th) at Walton High School, The Rise, Stafford, ST17 0LJ, while next weekend (Sunday 3rd February) sees the launch of didi rugby Stone at Alleynes Sports Centre, Oulton Road, Stone, ST15 8DR.

Places are still open but they are becoming limited and that is even with extra sessions having been put on to make sure everyone who is interested gets a free taste of what didi rugby is all about.

With the aim of getting young children active and learning new skills and confidence while having fun in a safe environment, sessions are held in three age groups and they are 18 months to 3 years; 3 years to 4 years; and 4 years to 6 six years of age.

“It has been a crazy few weeks,” said Mollie. “The amount of people that have contacted us and asked questions trying to find out more about didi rugby has been overwhelming and humbling too.

Ros and Mollie with parents and children at the end of a didi rugby session

Over 100 children

“We have already got over 100 children across the two launches signed up to come and meet us and have some fun – so we are looking forward to meeting them and their parents and carers.

“There has been lots of interest from the local community and they have been really supportive of us too.

“We got to the stage where we were full for certain age groups and were putting people on a waiting list. But we didn’t want anyone to miss out so we decided to just put on some more sessions so everyone can join in.

“It has been going so well that three sets of parents have said they want to come to both launches! My phone has not stop pinging since we announced the launch dates. It’s just been madness!”

Mollie has been invited onto Stafford FM Radio, while Ros was asked to go into BBC Radio Stoke and tell their listeners all about didi rugby.

Building links

Ros and Mollie have also busy building links with Stafford RFC too and that could develop into a more formal partnership soon.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen will also be at Saturday’s launch, along with didi rugby’s fun-loving mascots, Dougie and Daisy.

Vicky said: “Mollie and Ros are well known in the area and have already been coaching didi rugby classes in Crewe and Nantwich and I have been delighted by how well their plans have been received by the local community.

“They have both worked very hard to get the word out there and the response has been simply incredible. I can’t wait to help them launch in both Stafford and Stone and am looking forward to getting lots of new didi stars active and having fun.”

If you would like your son or daughter to come for a free taster session at the launches of Stafford or Stone, please click on the following links.

Register for a place at the didi rugby Stafford launch (Jan 26)

Register for a place at the didi rugby Stone launch (Feb 3)

didi rugby North Yorkshire expand again for new classes at Beverley Grammar School

didi rugby are launching weekly Saturday sessions at Beverley Grammar School, following demand for more classes in the region.

Beginning on Saturday 12 January and less than 12 months after opening the doors on their first sessions in North Yorkshire and East Riding, didi rugby are expanding again.

The launch follows several months of planning which included holding weekday classes at Beverley Rugby Club to test the waters.

The weekly Saturday sessions in Beverley are for children aged 18 months to 6 years of age.

A didi rugby class in the North Yorkshire region

Everything is in place for Beverley

Franchise holder for the region, Emma Cutress, explained the timing of the launch: “From day one, a weekend session in Beverley has been on our ‘to do’ list, but it’s been important for us to make sure we had the right coaches, venue and local club relationship in place before we launched.

“Everything is now in place and we’re over the moon to be able to operate from such a fabulous venue as the Grammar School. Our coaches can’t wait to get going!”

Devised and led by former England Women’s international Vicky Macqueen, didi rugby is a fast-paced series of multi-skills activities designed to get young children active and to teach them new skills while having fun in a safe environment.

For anyone curious to find out more, the first session a child attends is always free, so why not pop down to Beverley Grammar School on Saturday morning and let your kids give it a TRY!

Session timings:

18 months – 3 years
09.00 – 09.40
3 years – 4 years
09.40 – 10.20
4 years – 6 years
10.20 – 11.00

Extra demand for Friday sessions leads to new didi rugby classes opening in Crewe

New didi rugby classes have opened in Crewe as a response to demand for sessions on a Friday morning.

New Life Community Centre on Fuller Drive was the venue for the new classes to begin last Friday in Crewe and an excellent response showed didi rugby Crewe and Nantwich owner, Katie Heirene why it was the right decision to expand the franchise again.

“It’s really exciting to launch our first venue in the CW2 postcode and to be able to offer Friday morning classes too,” she said.

“This is a great venue in a big residential area so it’s really accessible by foot and bus, but parking is also available.

“We have had quite a lot of interest from families in Crewe and Nantwich regarding Friday morning classes and this venue is easily accessible for both areas. We will be running an Under-3s and a 3-4s class every week.

didi rugby Crewe & Nantwich has opened new classes

Elim Church

It is not the only new class Katie has opened recently with further expansion of the franchise taking place at Elim Church, Regent’s Park, Nantwich.

Sessions have moved here from Imagination Lane and will take place on Tuesdays.

“Imagination Lane has been a fantastic venue and we are really grateful for our time there, with big thanks to Jo and Gemma for accommodating us and promoting didi rugby,” added Katie.

“But we now need more space to grow and Regents Park is a great central venue for anyone travelling from Crewe or Nantwich, with parking available on site.

Accessible by foot

“It’s also really accessible by foot or bus for those who don’t drive – and there is still a play cafe on site for post didi refreshments with your team mates!

Did you know that didi rugby Crewe & Nantwich offer classes at Whitchurch Rugby Club every Saturday morning from 9am? Book your child on for a free taster session by clicking here.

Midweek classes are also held at several of the area’s sessions.

didi rugby launch in Highnam was so much fun that children didn’t want to leave!

Some children enjoyed the opening class of didi rugby Gloucestershire’s new sessions in Highnam so much that they stayed for all three classes!

And if the launch at Highnam Community Centre was anything to go by, there looks like being plenty of children and parents around to enjoy the fun in the coming months.

The franchise’s co-owner Suzanne Appleby-Jones said there was a great atmosphere around the launch and that many of those who attended have said they will be back for more after seeing what didi rugby had to offer.

“The opening sessions were great fun, well attended and our lead and assistant coaches Keith Smith and Shannon Stroud were fabulous,” said Suzanne.

“Some children enjoyed it so much that they stayed for all 3 sessions!

The launch of didi rugby classes in Highnam

Proximity to Gloucester

“We have some ‘sign-ups’ already and are expecting more this week and beyond.

“We believe that our Highnam centre is going to be a great success and due to its proximity to Gloucester, we also look forward to building links with Hartpury College and Gloucester Rugby.”

Suzanne added that local didi rugby ambassadors Ceri Large and Natasha Hunt have both said they are keen to add their support to sessions in the near future.

Classes will run every Saturday from 9am to 11am. To book your child in or to try a free taster session to see what all of the fuss is about, visit our Find A Class widget.

VIDEO: didi rugby founder invites new faces to new classes at Hinckley Leisure Centre

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen would like to welcome some new faces to new classes at Hinckley Leisure Centre.

Due to the level of demand, extra didi sessions are now being provided on Wednesdays and Fridays.

And Vicky says she would love to see some new didi stars begin their journey with a free taster session to see if they like the classes. The winter months will see lots of inside activities, games and fun!

Free tasters are available at all didi rugby venues across the country.

“I am still very hands on in the Midlands classes where we run sessions at various venues in Hinckley, Burbage and Lutterworth,” said Vicky.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen with a class

“We are really looking forward to seeing some new faces in those current classes and some more new ones on Wednesdays and Fridays at Hinckley Leisure Centre after Christmas.

“As well as learning valuable skills, we hope to grow children’s confidence and social skills while making sure they have lots of fun.

“Bring your little one along to see if they like it. We would love to see you there and will make you feel very welcome.”

Launch of didi rugby Stone and Stafford will be sprinkled with stardust

There is a certain amount of stardust sprinkled over the upcoming launch of didi rugby’s latest franchise.

didi rugby Stone and Stafford will be run by the dynamic duo of Mollie Latham and Ros Wiggins.

The Stafford launch will take place on Saturday 26 January, while Stone classes will get underway on Sunday 3 February.

Ros has a mass of experience in women’s rugby and disability sport, while Mollie was crowned National Rugby Awards Female Player of the Year just over three months ago.

It was an astonishing evening for Mollie at Twickenham when she was given the award in recognition of her outstanding work at Crewe & Nantwich RUFC.

didi rugby Stone and Stafford owners Ros Wiggins (left) and Mollie Latham

Annual awards

The awards are held annually to recognise the work of rugby players, coaches and volunteers in the game across the UK. Mollie beat over 400 other applicants, including players from the Tyrrells Women’s Premiership, to the award.

The Nantwich News reported at the time: “Judges commended Mollie for her performances on and off the pitch, with her work across the wider club giving her the nod over some stiff competition from all corners of the country.”

While Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Chair, Nik Joyce said: “She’s an amazing role model throughout the club and an incredibly modest person, so for her to have recognition on a national scale is a huge honour for her and so well deserved.”

didi rugby is delighted that someone with Mollie’s background will be putting her efforts into launching the businesses’ latest franchise.

She has been playing rugby since she was 10-year-old and was responsible for setting up the now flourishing Women’s team at Crewe & Nantwich, which also contains didi rugby Crewe & Nantwich franchise owner, Katie Heirene.

Experience

But Mollie is not the only member of the didi rugby Stone and Stafford team with a huge amount of the right sort of experience behind her.

Ros also started playing rugby before her teenage years and was captain of the women’s team at Bangor University. She has also developed an extensive knowledge of disability sport, activity provision and pastoral care during a business career away from the playing field.

Mollie and Ros have been coaching the didi classes at Reaseheath College for the last months so already know the businesses’ core aims of getting kids active and having fun.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen said she was delighted to welcome the new team to the didi family.

Passion for active kids

“Their passion for getting kids active and their enormous experience with the early years age group, really sets them apart.

“I really love their vision and they have been a brilliant asset to the coaching team at Crewe and Nantwich before taking on their own area. I am so excited for their launch on 26 January.”

** The Stafford launch will take place on Saturday 26 January at Walton High School in Stafford between 9.30am and 11.30am. **
Book your child’s free taster session by clicking here
 
** The Stone launch is set for Sunday 3 February at Alleynes Sports Centre on Oulton Road in Stone from 9.30 to 11.30am. **
Book your child’s free taster session by clicking here

didi rugby launches it 20th franchise with a special day in Oakham

didi rugby has launched its 20th franchise with a fantastic morning in Oakham, Rutland.

The opening of didi rugby Rutland and East Leicestershire was a special day for several reasons with lots of parents and children having a fun day at Langham Village Hall.

Two local stars came and supported the event with former Wasps player Sarah ‘Huddy’ Mitchelson and England Under-18s Sevens player Phoebe Andrews joining in the activities.

But it was also a day to remember for new owner Emma Taylor who has been involved in didi rugby as a coach in Hinckley before deciding to take on a franchise of her own nearer to home.

New Rutland franchise owner Emma Taylor has fun with a child during the launch

Foundations

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen had taken Emma under her wing in those early days so it was a wonderful moment for her too to see Emma build her own foundations.

“It was an absolutely brilliant launch with around 100 people there,” said Vicky.

“The first group was packed and there was lots of numbers in the second and third groups too.

“I am really proud of Emma getting so many people there on the day. There was a radio station and newspaper there too and she was absolutely brilliant coaching the three sessions.

Rapport with children

“It was amazing to see what she has achieved having started out as a coach at one of my sessions in Hinckley. She is confident and driven and has a wonderful rapport with the parents and children.

“We take in-house development of our coaches very seriously at didi rugby and want them to progress within the set up if they want to.

“Lots more children are booked in for taster sessions and bookings over the next few weeks and she may be introducing a midweek class soon too.

“We now have a link with Oakham Rugby Club in Emma’s franchise area and are exploring avenues with them.”

Five reasons why you should try didi rugby with your child

Do you want your child to grow in confidence while having fun and being active?

Then come along to a didi rugby class and enjoy a free taster session at any of our venues across the country.

Following a tremendously successful 2018, we are confident they will have a great time, learn new skills and meet new friends too.

We would love to meet you and show you why thousands of children across the UK are coming back to didi rugby every term.

Devised and led by former England Women’s international Vicky Macqueen, here are five reasons why we think you and your child should give didi rugby a ‘try’…

Children have fun at a didi rugby class

1) Age appropriate classes – Our three age groups of 18-36 months, 3-4 years and 4-6 years means your child will be enjoying the right learning at the right stage of their development. These age ranges are within flexible boundaries and based on each child’s ability and confidence as opposed to a strict age structure.

2) Get active, learn and grow in confidence – We will get your child physically active and improve skills like co-ordination, speed and balance. We also hope to grow their confidence as they learn social skills in a positive, friendly and no-pressure environment.

3) Parents and Carers can join in – Because all of our classes are delivered in a friendly and relaxed environment, we encourage parents and carers to get involved as much or as little as they like. We want child and adults to feel comfortable in our classes.

4) One-to-one attention – There are a minimum of two coaches in every didi rugby session to make sure that every child receives some one-to-one tuition and so that even the shyest of kids feels valued and part of our friendly team.

5) didi rugby is great fun – Every session is designed to make sure your child is engaged and having fun with a smile on their face. We encourage positivity, team play, respect and sportsmanship. We hope that by instilling these values early on in life, they encourage a life-long participation in physical activity.

Highnam classes begin for didi rugby Gloucestershire in the New Year

didi rugby Gloucestershire is expanding to Highnam where it will launch a high-profile launch party in the New Year.

If you live in the area and would like your child to get a taste of some of the fun that kids are enjoying all over the country, then keep Saturday 12 January spare and come to the Highnam Community Centre on Newent Road for a free taster session.

didi rugby ambassadors will be joining in and will be free to have photos taken with visitors, while mascots Dougie and Daisy will be up for some fun too.

Regular classes will then start at the venue every Saturday from 19 January for all of didi rugby’s three age groups between 9am and 11am.

Highnam launch poster

Building momentum

The sessions will be run by coach Keith Smith, a retired police officer who was keen to get involved in the didi rugby Gloucestershire set-up which also runs classes at Cinderford RFC.

didi rugby Gloucestershire’s Suzanne Appleby-Jones said she was excited to be spreading the franchise to a new venue.

“Things are going well and didi rugby is building momentum,” she said. “It has all been positive so far and we are getting some really nice recommendations on our Facebook account which is great to see.

“We have started working with primary schools as well and we have been very well-received there too.”

* Book your child’s free taster session at the launch on 12 January by visiting this direct link to the booking page on our website, by calling Suzanne on (07872) 921856 or by emailing suzanne.appleby-jones@didirugby.com *

Classes will take place at Highnam Community Centre, Newent Road, Highnam, GL2 8DG, every Saturday morning from 9.00am – 11.00am from 19 January.

VIDEO: didi rugby Bosworth owner is buzzing after opening few months in charge

didi rugby Bosworth owner Matt Stubbs is looking forward to Christmas and the New Year after an extremely positive start to his time as a franchise owner.

Since the launch in September, which was given a huge boost by England Women Rugby stars Emily Scarratt and Charlotte Pearce, classes have been thriving with both children and parents getting stuck in and having fun.

Matt is set on expansion in the 2019 and is buzzing after a busy first few months, which has seen them already link-up with Market Bosworth Rugby Club.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support since we started in September,” said Matt.

“Our Enderby classes have been going well and we have had people getting interested in bookings for the New Year.

didi rugby Bosworth owner Matt Stubbs

The club have been brilliant

“Meanwhile, in Bosworth, the sessions at Bosworth Rugby Club on a Saturday morning are flying.

“Thankfully, the club have been brilliant and are loving what we are doing which is great news.

“We are looking forward to 2019 very much and just want to say Merry Christmas from us all at didi rugby Bosworth to all of our supporters. We look forward to seeing more parents and children at our classes in the New Year.”