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September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

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.”

September 21, 2019

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.”

September 21, 2019

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.”

September 21, 2019September 23, 2019

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.

September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

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

September 21, 2019March 16, 2022

12 reasons to launch a didi rugby franchise

didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen presents to franchise owners at the annual didi rugby conference in March 2022

didi rugby has launched new franchises in Cornwall, South Cambridgeshire and Devon in the last few months. Could you be the latest owner of a successful didi rugby franchise?

Owner and CEO Vicky Macqueen is keen to expand the didi experience and says she is confident that the business model that has been developed is one that can continue to be a success.

“I was running the business in my home county of Leicestershire for two years before we decided to start working towards a franchise model so feel that I have learned from experience what works and what doesn’t work,” said Vicky.

There is a strong family feel to didi rugby franchises

Very successful

“Those experiences have helped us put together a franchise plan that we believe can be very successful given that the person behind the business has the right outlook and drive to deliver it.

“Our central didi UK team is dedicated and passionate and is committed to delivering on our promise to support didi franchises both before and after they launch.

“And we have loved working with new franchise owners from all walks of life who have taken the didi brand and values forward over the past year and formed a tight bond between themselves to spread and support new ideas and best practice.

12 reasons why you should open a didi franchise:

1) Join a wonderful and friendly team at didi rugby – but become owner of your own business.

2) Work with a proven franchise business model that can pay back your investment within 4 to 12 months, depending on the pace and size of your business.

3) If you have the business know-how but lack the imagination to put that into practice, we can help.

4) If you have little time to get a business set-up and want to earn money right away, we have a plan.

5) Do you need a fast return on any investment? Our franchise plans can help make that a reality.

6) Do you struggle with branding, concepts and marketing presence? Our experienced team is here to help.

7) Do you have a coaching qualification you would like to put into practice but need help with the business side of things? We can help.

8) There are options for part-time, full-time or multi-franchise buy-ins.

9) didi rugby will actively help find ambassadors in your area to help promote your business and provide guidance on how best to use your ambassadors.

10) There is an existing merchandise online shop already working to earn you additional profits from sales.

11) There is access to established resources including all the kit, coaching manuals, systems and the opportunity to learn and share with other franchisees.

12) Receive full training and support from the UK team regarding coaching skills, business operations and administration and all sorts of back-up.

September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

“The didi rugby franchise is an established business model, that has been replicated across many areas.”

didi rugby has successfully launched 17 franchises since beginning a quest to spread the values of the business across the length and breadth of the country and further afield with overseas operations now up and running.

And we don’t intend to stop there in a bid to grow an exciting and rewarding business which will enter 2019 with a strong and repeatedly proven business model.

From Swansea to Reading and Crewe to Coventry, didi rugby centres have set up to provide a safe and fun learning environment for children aged between 18 months and 6 years of age.

Opportunities now exist to open new didi franchises in areas all over the UK and they can be run on a part-time or full-time basis. You will join our winning team but you will become an owner of your own business.

didi rugby franchises are a great opportunity

Dedicated group

If you would like to get involved with a passionate and dedicated group of like-minded people, or you would like to find out more about the possibilities didi rugby can offer, we would like to hear from you.

didi UK prides itself not only on the care and attention to detail we provide before a new franchise is launched – but to the aftercare given to help each franchise owner learn from our expertise to help grow their business.

didi UK’s support is never far away and with a close-knit and connected group of franchise owners swapping ideas and best practice at all times, new franchisees soon become part of a tight network that looks after each other.

Franchise and Commercial lead Sanchia Delacy said: “This is a great opportunity for many people, from different backgrounds, both sporting and corporate.

“We are seeing an increased amount of investors looking at the didi rugby opportunity and working this into either an existing portfolio of businesses or as an isolated investment to gain a residual income as this grows.

Balance of skills

“Partnering up, we are seeing previous rugby players, coaches or other sports enthusiasts get together with ex-corporate or current business people to get the right balance of skills in place to really launch and grow their didi business with a bang!

“Young mums not wanting to return to work, with a drive for owning their own future and wanting to get involved with getting young kids active are another audience we are working with a lot more, and these are ones to watch! Like owner Vicky Macqueen, many are used to juggling many plates at once as mums and working mums, and didi plays to these skills.

“With hours as flexible a you want them, or need them to be, didi can give you a new way of working that can replace and increase previous incomes. You also get to spend more time with your own children!

“The franchise opportunity is an established business model, that has been replicated across many areas now. With didi UK still retaining the ownership of didi Midlands, the team know what is possible, where the potential is and have a proven tack record of building a business from nothing to what is now a growing sport and children’s activity brand.

High profile

“From franchises costing as little as £5000 up to £15,000, you can jump straight in with established processes, systems and ways of working to hit the ground running and launch your own business.

“We have an increasingly high profile in the rugby world, not just due to Vicky’s international sports background, but also due to the contribution didi is making to the EYFS within schools.

“Full support is provided to all new franchises in the areas most needed, so if you are a business person looking for an investment, but need the support around rugby and kids activities, we can do this. Or if you love rugby want to get involved and don’t know where to start, we can also do this and work with you.

“There is one non-negotiable though and that is a drive, passion and love for the brand we all care for.”

“The didi rugby franchise is an established business model, that has been replicated across many areas.”

BREAKING NEWS: If you live in the Hertfordshire or Lichfield area, we currently have a live franchise opportunity available which is generating a steady monthly income. Contact vicky@didirugby.com for further information.

Watch: VIDEO – Vicky Macqueen explains why didi franchises are such a good opportunity

September 21, 2019September 27, 2019

Coventry Rugby chairman is delighted to partner with didi rugby

Coventry Rugby chairman Jon Sharp says he is delighted to partner with didi rugby and hopes some of the youngsters involved in classes will go on to represent the club in later life.

The formal partnership will see the city’s Championship team, who play at Butts Park Arena, throw their continued support behind the Gulliver family, franchise owners of didi rugby Coventry.

didi classes are held at Coventry Rugby Club every Saturday morning.

“We are very proud to be partnering with didi rugby Coventry,” said Jon.

“We are very keen on our work in the community with young people and are pleased that kids are getting fit, involved with sport and playing the ultimate team sport of rugby.

“The game of rugby breeds great values like team work and respect, passion and enjoyment and we think didi rugby is a great place for the kids to be.

“Hopefully they will come through our system and ultimately play for Coventry!”

Jon Sharp is the chairman of Coventry Rugby

Pathway for kids

The partnership is the latest one to be launched by didi rugby franchises as they attempt to create a pathway for their didi kids to progress to tag rugby when they become too old for didi sessions.

didi rugby Midlands’ link with Hinckley RFC has already proved to be very fruitful with upwards of 40 children moving on from didi’s senior age group into the club’s minis.

didi rugby Coventry’s head coach Sophie Gulliver said the club was already very close to the family’s heart.

“Coventry Rugby Club holds a special place in our heart as a family and all of us, for some reason or another, have spent most our weekends there,” she said.

Playing in mud!

“Some were playing rugby or working, my mum Carol supporting both son and husband and me supporting as the daughter and sister. When I wasn’t playing rugby, I could be found mostly playing in mud and waiting for the best moment of the whole match for a kid which was running onto the pitch at the end of the game.

“Every other Saturday, I now watch my boys do it at what feels like a second home to us and that’s why rugby is different. It’s not just a game, it’s a game that builds families, friends and most of all memories.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a business that helps children and families build those types of memories.

“This is more than a partnership with Coventry Rugby, it’s a meaningful relationship with big people, aka adults who have a passion to let children have what we have enjoyed through rugby.”

September 20, 2019September 21, 2019

Meet didi rugby’s fun-loving mascots Dougie and Daisy

This is Dougie and Daisy – didi rugby’s fun-loving mascots.

They will be appearing at didi classes and franchise launches all over the county in the coming months.

They are both excited to meet the thousands of children who are enjoying didi rugby as part of the their weekly activity.

So come along and see them, say ‘hello’ or give them a ‘high-five’.

Don’t be shy. They are very friendly and they love to have a bit of fun and get up to mischief.

didi rugby mascots dougie and daisy

Friendly mascots

Find out more about Dougie and Daisy at www.didirugby.com

September 20, 2019September 27, 2019

didi rugby Bosworth owner praises support from didi team for franchise launch

Matt Stubbs, the new franchise owner of didi rugby Bosworth, Nuneaton and Enderby says the support he has had from the didi team in the build-up to the launch of his classes has been ‘fantastic’.

Speaking at the first new classes in Enderby, Matt praised the set-up and explained why he got involved in didi rugby because his own child grew in confidence so much at the sessions.

“The support from the team has been fantastic,” he said. “The brand and the package that they have put together is really something that you buy into.

“The help and assistance that Vicky Macqueen (didi owner and CEO) and her team have given during the set-up has been brilliant.

“My son came to didi as a shy lad when he was two but he has really grown in confidence so I have seen it work so it was a no-brainer to get involved.

“I have been a PE teacher for 21 years and I am passionate about getting young people involved in an active lifestyle.

The launch of didi rugby Bosworth classes in Enderby

Transfer skills

“It is didi rugby but children can transfer the skills they learn into other sports. Thats a key message really, you can go on to play for the minis section of a rugby club when you are too old for didi rugby – but you can also transfer those skills you learn at didi to many other sports.”

“After weeks of planning, I am pleased the launch has all come together. The parents went away with smiles on their faces and, more importantly, so did the kids.”

New classes are now up and running in Enderby and Nuneaton. Book your child in for a free taster session here: