New didi rugby Rutland franchise holder had a life-changing ‘epiphany’

In the summer of 2017, Emma Taylor had a life-changing epiphany.

Having helped out a friend coaching didi rugby classes in Stoneygate, Leicester, she was asked by didi’s founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen to spread her wings and take on three classes in Hinckley.

It was a big step up from what she was used to and when she accepted Vicky’s offer, her broad smile hid a fair amount of trepidation.

But Vicky had seen enough of Emma already to know what she was doing and the trust she put in her gave Emma the confidence she needed to take on the challenge.

Not only has she never looked back, but those moments in the Hinckley classes provided Emma with a moment of realisation…she had finally found her calling in life.

New didi rugby Oakham franchise holder Emma Taylor

Big challenge

“It was a big challenge for me and I was asking myself if I can really do this,” said Emma. I had worked in business and with kids before but there was still some doubt there.

“When I started enjoying it and realising I was fine, I suddenly had an epiphany. It was like I had found out what I was good at.”

Later that year, Emma went full-time in Hinckley and early next year, she will become the owner of the business’ latest franchise, didi rugby Rutland and East Leicestershire.

Emma is a RFU Level 2 rugby coach who spent her time learning off her mentor Vicky when she coached the Loughborough University team that Emma played for.

“Vicky coached me for six months as a player so I could learn why things were taught the way they were for my coaching ambitions with my local club Oakham,” she said. “That was a big help.

“I qualified for Level 2 in December 2016 and, at the time, an RFU stat said that only 550 women were qualified to coach rugby. I wanted to become one of those stats and see what I could do.

Forming bonds

“In April 2017, my friend Marie asked me to take a didi class of reception and Year 1 in Stoneygate and I agreed on the spur of the moment. For that trust to be put in me was great. Having ownership of the session at short notice really challenged me but I started forming bonds with the kids and it was like we grew together.”

Vicky took Emma under her wing when she moved to Hinckley and has helped and mentored her along the way. But Emma’s personal development has also been crucial and a big drive in helping her make the decision to take on a didi franchise of her own.

“I have learned patience and tolerance for a child’s learning process. It’s invaluable if a parent can sit down and watch someone else get the best out of their child. I have been able to give other coaches ownership too as they have helped me out.” Said Emma.

“I love that moment when you have been trying to get kids to do things and they trust you enough to do it for the first time. Parents have said to me: “Oh my gosh, they never do that at home!”

“I have them for 40 minutes a week to try and give them something to take away with them whether that be fun, laughter or new skills. I love building that trust with the kids and parents. The kids come to have fun but they are also exercising while they do so and that is great in terms of keeping them healthy.”

Vicky said seeing Emma launch her own franchise was a bittersweet moment for someone she holds very close to her heart.

Passion and creativity

“I am sad to see Emma leave the Hinckley classes that we have both coached but she has so much passion and creativity that we agreed she should be coaching didi rugby in her own area of Oakham and East Leicestershire,” said Vicky.

“I first met Emma at Loughborough University and, while coaching her, saw she was a real team player who I really enjoyed coaching.

“I thought she fitted in with our didi core values and we stayed in touch. She came to Hinckley to take classes here and went into schools and nurseries with didi rugby too.

“We quickly received great feedback from everyone about how good she was. I also realised how good she was and how much talent and ambition she had.

“She is a wonderful person and I am sure that she will be a great ambassador for didi rugby in the Oakham and East Leicestershire area.”

* didi rugby Rutland and East Leicestershire will launch on Saturday 5 January. 

VIDEO: Clubs urged to contact didi rugby for help on implementing the RFU’s new Early Years Framework Guidelines

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen has urged rugby clubs up and down the country to get in contact if they are seeking help and guidance implementing the Rugby Union’s (RFU) new Early Years Framework Guidelines.

Because of the success of didi rugby with the age group in question, Vicky was invited to be part of the working group which helped the game’s governing body devise a practical framework to help clubs attract and develop children from 18 months to five years of age.

Months in the making, those guidelines have now been formally released to all RFU-affiliated clubs in England giving them a clear structure on how to encourage a new generation of young players.

didi rugby’s franchises have been building links with clubs across the country for the last 18 months and been putting the building blocks in place for clubs like Vicky’s own home town, Hinckley RFC to have a booming minis section with dozens of children coming through the didi rugby programme to join the club’s minis section.

didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen

didi rugby has a vast amount of experience in setting up didi programmes at clubs and that is why the RFU asked Vicky to share her knowledge and to help them devise the right way forward for an ever-growing age group.

Now clubs have the official RFU document to base their structure on, didi rugby’s team of franchisees and dedicated coaches will be ready to help any interested parties set-up a programme, attract new youngsters and parents to the club and develop a set-up to provide a conveyer belt of keen, excited and engaged kids with a rugby ball in their hands.

Early Years Framework

The former England’s Women’s international said: “We are thrilled to be working with the RFU on their Early Years Framework Guidelines for rugby. We were invited to get involved in the process and we were absolutely delighted to do that.

“It’s so important that all children are physically active from an early age. What we do at didi rugby is take children from 18 months up to six years of age and we incorporate all the values of the RFU in a multi-skills session environment where children become more confident, active and healthy.

We are thrilled to be a part of this process of getting the RFU’s Early Years Framework out to the grass roots in England and so, if you are a rugby club who would like to see what we do and find out how we could implement the RFU’s guidelines at your venue, please get in touch and we can discuss your options.”

didi rugby proud of its proven track record at helping clubs set up Early Years foundations

didi rugby is looking forward to developing further links with local clubs following the announcement of the Rugby Union’s Early Years Guidance Framework this week.

didi founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen was asked to advise the RFU on the newly-released document as the game’s governing body has officially recognised the importance of developing the 18 months to five years old age group.

Their framework will now be sent out to all RFU-affiliated clubs in the country showing them the way to develop their own set-up.

And while working closely with clubs, those sort of set-ups have already been put in place by didi rugby franchises over the country during the last 18 months. didi rugby have become a recognised and trusted provider of the sort of age-specific learning that the RFU are now backing.

didi rugby ‘graduate’ Alfie

didi franchises are working with rugby clubs in England and Wales at: Beverley, Pocklington, Whitchurch, Crewe and Nantwich, Market Bosworth, Kenilworth, Loughborough, Shepshed, Ashby, Glais, St Helens, Hinckley, Lutterworth, Burbage, Coventry, Coventrians and Old Coventrians, Reading, Aldermaston, Thatcham, Lydney, Chipping Norton and Cinderford, with more in the pipeline.

Vicky’s home club Hinckley RFC has already benefitted from a conveyer belt of six-year-olds who have joined the club after ‘graduating’ from didi rugby classes.

Massive success

Hinckley chairman John Tilley explained how dozens of children filtered into their minis section having been involved in didi rugby classes from a young age.

“We have had massive success linking up with didi rugby,” he said. “I think it was around 40 new children who came into our under-6 age group last year.

“Not only were there 40 kids but they had done some good stuff already as well. didi rugby is a brilliant initiative and it gets kids active. Ultimately, that’s what we are about isn’t it? Getting kids active.

Hinckley’s club coaching coordinator Tom Kilburn said at the time: “I have been really impressed with the ability of these children that have joined us. Most are in possession of great motor skills, with the ability to listen and follow instructions well.

Major positive

“The major positive I have found is that they can already catch and pass which helps a long way to making our sessions active, purposeful and enjoyable.

“The children that have graduated along the pathway are a true testament to the fantastic work that Vicky Macqueen and her team are doing at didi rugby

Mum Claire Cope had twins Alfie and Archie graduate from didi rugby into the Hinckley set-up and she said her lads had thrived during their time there.

“The have loved their time at didi and Vicky is the leader of the family,” she said. “The coaches have been great too and always have a really good laugh with the children. It’s fantastic.”

didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen joins forces with social enterprise Switch The Play

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen has joined forces with Switch the Play and former England and Leicester Tigers centre, Leon Lloyd, to try and help elite sports men and women learn from her experiences of life after a career in sport.

Switch The Play is a social enterprise dedicated to helping athletes perform better and prepare for their next phase through developing a life outside of the sporting field.

Switch the Play is underpinned by a ‘pracademic’ approach, using those who have experienced a career in sport to deliver their message. CEO Leon Lloyd was therefore delighted to welcome Vicky to the Switch the Play team as an associate, to deliver educational masterclasses to elite and aspiring athletes.

The former England Women’s international with 34 caps left the sporting arena that had served her so well in 2009 and had a family before launching didi rugby and going on to be presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to women’s rugby.

Leon, meanwhile, had a stellar professional rugby career with Tigers and Gloucester before retiring and learning some valuable lessons about how tough the transition is, into what athletes often describe as ‘the real world’. His book: ‘Life After Sport’ tells of that emotional journey.

“Switch The Play helps people put plans in place to make the most of themselves,” said Leon. “It is never too early to start planning for the nextstage of your life. At Switch the Play, we encourage athletes to see developing themselves alongside their sport as an extension of Plan A, rather than as a Plan B. This not only helps them once they transition but also has a positive impact on their sporting performances.

Vicky Macqueen with Switch The Play CEO, Leon Lloyd

Plan for transition

“You have to plan for your transition. People won’t give you a job because you can score tries, goals or run fast.”

“I am passionate about helping others learn from my mistakes and we are focused on offering guidance to people while they are still competing to help them better transition to their life afterwards.

“It’s important for athletes to use their sport now. Don’t wait for other people to come to you. Go to them and be pro-active.”

Vicky said she was looking forward to getting involved: “Switch The Play hopes to make a positive difference to the lives of athletes and it will be great to play a part in that,” she said.

“As I have found over the last couple of years while developing didi rugby, there are plenty of lessons to be learned in the business world but also plenty of people and organisations who will support you and help you to succeed.

“I am really looking forward to telling my experiences, good and bad, to the next group of athletes who are ready to take a step that may seem scary and challenging but is also exciting and full of opportunities.”

Vicky’s Blog: We must not let down a generation of young people

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen writes about some worrying trends towards the levels of obesity and inactivity in our children and says we must not let down a generation of young people

I have read some worrying statistics and reports in recent weeks about how the devil of inactivity is affecting our children.

In Wales, one of didi rugby’s strongest heartlands, 12.4 per cent of four and five-years-olds are obese, Type 2 diabetes is on the rise and half of the nation’s young people, boys and girls, are not doing regular sport.

As someone who runs a business aimed at getting children of exactly that age active and healthy, news like that is hard to hear.

Especially when the vast majority of the kids I have met who are involved in physical activity are happy ones.

Laura McAllister, the former chair of Sport Wales writing in Wales Online says the nation needs to start ‘investing properly’ in early years teachers and carers.

Computer games and screens are making it harder to get kids active

Physical activity

“Preschool children should have at least an hour of structured physical activity (that is, adult-led) and at least an hour of unstructured free play every day,” she says.

She also believes that, in school, PE should have ‘the same status as maths, English, Welsh and science to fulfil the government ambition of creating ‘healthy, confident individuals’.

Amen to that.

Meanwhile, The Mail on Sunday have reported data gathered by the universities of Exeter and Plymouth from 807 kids in 32 Devon schools.

It concluded that just one in 30 children aged nine or ten completed the recommended amount of daily exercise.

One in 30! Think about that for a minute. That’s about one child in every school classroom.

Wellbeing in 'desperate decline'

Alison Oliver, the chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust said that today’s young people are among the least active ever and their wider wellbeing is also in ‘desperate decline’.

She urged school and activity providers to ‘harness the impact that PE and sport can have on physical and mental health as well as the development of character and equipping children with vital life skills which support achievement in the classroom and beyond.’

With technological advancements meaning more and more of our children have use of digital equipment like ipads and ipods, we have to work harder and harder to make sure that physical activity is an option for our children.

And, wherever and whenever it is provided, we need to make it fun and engaging so that the children want to come back for more.

The challenge is there in black and white. It’s crucial that we all take that challenge head on. If we don’t, we are failing a generation of young people.

I am on a mission to ensure all children get a chance to experience didi rugby and therefore get all the benefits of being physically active, along with developing them as confident little people!

VIDEO: Crewe & Nantwich team are didi rugby’s pioneers in the north west

Just three months after launching didi rugby Crewe & Nantwich, franchise owner Katie Heirene is now running classes in five different venues.

Katie and her team are didi rugby’s pioneers for the north west region and her Crewe and Nantwich franchise is the first one to open in the area.

The popularity of didi rugby’s early months in the region have helped Katie to spread the values and enjoyment of didi rugby classes far and wide.

And classes are now taking place in Tarporley, Audlem, Nantwich and Whitchurch.

The latter of those venues represents Crewe & Nantwich’s first partnership with a rugby club, going in line with didi rugby’s desire to build strong links with clubs to provide a natural progression for children and their parents when kids become too old for didi classes after the age of six.

Crewe & Nantwich owner Katie Heirene

Katie says she is grateful for the support she has received from parents, clubs, businesses and organisations and is also looking forward to delivering her first didi rugby birthday party this weekend.

“It has been a very exciting first few months,” said Katie. “I really enjoy delivering the classes and we have some fantastic groups now.

“The kids are really getting to grips with the games we play and I love it when, a few weeks after they start, the children are happy for their parents to take a step back and they get stuck in on their own. It shows their confidence is blossoming.”

Fun-loving Tommy is thriving at didi rugby despite Hypermobility Syndrome

Tommy Oliver was so unsteady on his feet that he would ‘fall over his own shadow’ according to his mum Sally.

Yet just over a term into his time as a star at didi rugby Reading’s Aldermaston classes, he has become a totally different boy.

The four-year-old from Bramley near Basingstoke has recently been diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome. It’s a condition that features joints which easily move beyond the expected range.

As a result, it can be hard to control those joints, which can dislocate easily. People with Hypermobility Syndrome can also suffer from pain in their limbs – especially in the knees, hips and elbows.

“He’s clumsy and he falls over all of the time,” Sally added. “It’s hard for him to keep his joints in place and the strain that puts on his body makes him tired.”

Tommy Oliver

Aldermaston RFC

With older brother Owen (19) a player at Aldermaston RFC, one of the clubs that didi rugby have partnered with in the Reading area, Sally saw that didi rugby classes were held there and decided to give it a go for Tommy.

“He is quite shy and it takes him a while to come out of his shell but he managed to stay upright throughout the session,” said Sally.

“He was 20 months old before he could walk and some of his joints, like his knees and shoulders, dislocate a lot so we never thought he would enjoy didi rugby as much as he has done.

“He wanted to come back after his first session and he has just finished a full term and moved up into the four to six-year-old group.

“It’s like if you put a rugby ball in his hand, he can run in a straight line!

Improved balance

“His coordination and balance have improved dramatically. You can see how much he enjoys it. He kicks and catches and his skills are really developing.

“And during the recent half-term, we took him to the didi camp at Reading RFC and even though it was a new venue with new faces and lots more children than he is used to, he joined in and enjoyed it.

“didi rugby has been amazing for him. He is always asking if it is didi rugby day and coaches Donna and Caitlin have been great with him.

“Here was a young boy who would trip over his own shadow and now, he is much more confident and steady on his feet. It’s a great activity for strengthening his muscles too.

“And his confidence has grown as we have gone along. There are three guys who open the didi classes up at Aldermaston every week called Andy, Ritchie and Grant. They always have a smile ready for the children but Tommy never used to say a word to them. Now, he ‘high-fives’ them every week.

Amazing growth

“His growth has been amazing for me to see too. He has just started at school and I was really worried about him falling over all of the time. So I went into school to tell them to prepare for what might happen with Tommy – but it’s not happened yet.

“didi rugby has been brilliant for him.”

Tommy’s coaches at his Aldermaston classes, Donna and Caitlin have guided the four-year-old through every step of the way, sharing in his joy as he has gained in confidence and broadened his physical and mental skill-set.

“Tommy always comes bounding up to us and into class with a big smile on his face. His enthusiasm and giggle is infectious and if I could bottle it, I would,” said Donna.

“He thoroughly enjoys running around playing games, learning new skills and taking on a challenge. These challenges always have to include Caitlin and I and he is now a expert at setting up a obstacle course for us all!

“There is nothing he won’t try and through his determination and enjoyment of didi Rugby we have seen a huge improvement in his balance and coordination. There really is no stopping him. He is an absolute joy to coach.”

VIDEO: didi rugby Reading success ‘proves the franchise model works’

didi rugby Reading’s double act of Craig Hunter and Donna Clark say their early months as a rapidly-growing franchise proves that the didi model works.

Since launching didi rugby Reading in February 2018, the classes have really captured the imagination of the public and businesses in the local area.

Sessions are currently held across Berkshire in Reading, Ascot and Newbury while partnerships are already up and running with the likes of Aldermaston, Reading and Thatcham rugby clubs.

A formal link has been made with professional club London Irish RFC and a partnership with Eddie Cats has seen classes held in their soft play venues.

Craig says he is delighted by the speed of their progress, the support from didi UK and the positive way in which the franchise has been received within the local community.

“I have been involved with rugby since I was 14 but I was working in recruitment and wanted to do something like this full-time,” he said.

didi rugby Reading franchise owners Craig Hunter and Donna Clark

Infrastructure

“The support from didi was spot on in the build up to launch and the infrastructure was right too.

“My wife is in the education sector and she saw what we did for her school as a taster session and said there is a huge scope for growth in that early years foundations stage for something like didi rugby.

“So we took the plunge and went for it full-time and we are confident we will continue to grow with the help of Vicky and team didi behind us.

“Our links with local clubs are important and we are trying to help those without big mini sections so they can use their link with us as stepping stone to build their Under-6s.

It proves it works

“At Reading RFC for example, they have already picked up four kids who are now too old for didi rugby for their Under-6s which proves it works. It’s a no-brainer.”

Donna Clark added: “It has been good fun spreading the values of didi rugby through classes, clubs and schools too.

“Our relationship with Vicky and her team at didi has just been like an extension of the rugby family really. They are always there on the end of the phone if we need them.”

didi ambassador – Amy Evans

Amy Evans has had an incredibly rapid rise to the top level of women’s rugby.

She only began playing the sport in 2014, when she turned out for Skewen RFC.

Unbelievably, just five months later, she was selected for the Wales squad for the Women’s Six Nations and she made her debut off the bench against England in a 13-0 victory.

The powerful tight head prop now has over 20 caps and continues to play for her club, along with regional side, the Ospreys.

“I decided just to play rugby as a bit of fun,” said Evans. “Being in a team environment and having the players and your friends and family helping you along, it takes the pressure away from you.”

didi ambassador – Amy Evans

Amy may have only started playing rugby at a late age but she was an avid sports fan as a girl. She began competing internationally in weightlifting and represented Wales at several events.

When Amy is away from the playing field, she works at a gym and is a fitness instructor.

Her battle with diabetes is indicative of a strong-willed sports women who we are delighted to have in the didi rugby family.

VIDEO: Exciting news of further didi rugby expansion in Wales from Robyn Lock

didi rugby Swansea has been growing at a rapid rate and now franchise owner Robyn Lock has news of further expansion into another area of Wales.

Classes are currently run in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot at numerous venues.

Now Robyn and her team are heading further afield to spread the values of didi rugby.

“In November, we will have some exciting news about didi rugby coming to the Carmarthenshire area,” said Robyn, who also plays for Ospreys Women.

“It fills me with joy knowing that we are expanding every month and getting further out there in Wales giving children the chance to be active and healthy.

“Kids are learning transferable skills they can use in many sports and they are learning the positive associations with being active at an early age.

“That is giving them an ideal platform to be active and healthy in later life.

“Our disability clasees in Sketty have been going really well too with some lovely children learning new skills there.

didi rugby Swansea owner Robyn Lock