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Children with disabilities will receive a special welcome at new classes that are being launched by didi rugby Swansea.

Sketty Park Community Centre will host didi disability sessions from Friday 14 September from 4-5pm.

All didi rugby classes are inclusive and welcome children with disabilities.

But didi rugby Swansea head coach Robyn Lock has decided to hold a weekly class aimed specifically at 3 to 8-year-olds whose parents may have been reluctant to take their kids to sporting classes in the past.

And it all started with a chat with a didi mum a few months ago.

“I had a conversation with one of the parents from our St Helens classes and she has an autistic son who has loved didi rugby,” she said.

“There are a lot of parents out there with kids who have disabilities who are not confident enough to take them to a classes like didi rugby.

“But I wanted to promote something that was for everyone and so we have decided to run this class.

“I have worked with Sport Wales and Disability Sport Wales to get things right.

“It will be aimed at 3 to 8 year olds but we want to also take kids who may be say, 11, but have a development stage of a younger child and give them a stepping stone into an active life.

“I like to think we are setting a trend for organisations to deliver disability classes.”

didi rugby has joined forces with Hinckley and Bosworth School Sport and Activity Network (HBSSPAN) to promote physical activity for four to six-year-olds.

The formal link will see all 58 schools in the Hinckley and Bosworth area of Leicestershire get access to a free taster session hosted by didi rugby.

The sessions will teach multi skills to Key Stage 1 children based on the principles and values of rugby.

HBSSPAN is responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of school sport, physical activity and leadership opportunities across the Hinckley and Bosworth area and School Games Organsier Steph Tirrell said didi rugby’s offering was an ideal fit.

“Vicky was previously a head of PE within our network so she already knows the sort of requirements needed within our schools,” she said.

“We want to get the right message out to the schools in our area and our partnership with didi shows that it’s a reputable link because it is coming from SSPAN.

“Last year we held a rugby festival with years 1 and 2 together and this year’s event in March will be called the ‘didi rugby Festival’ – a big tag rugby festival and fun day for four to six-year olds which will take place at Bosworth Academy in Desford.”

didi rugby is a nationwide franchise based in Hinckley and founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen said she could not wait to get more children involved, having fun and learning key skills in classes throughout the Hinckley and Bosworth area.

“We are on the same page with HBSSPAN and are determined to work together to improve activity levels and opportunities for all of our young people,” said Vicky.

“I am extremely passionate about the benefits that didi rugby can bring to children. There is a lot more to it than just rugby and we are delighted to have the opportunity to spread our values to school children in the area.”

England star Charlotte Pearce is hoping to instil confidence and self-esteem in young people from an early age.

The flying back, who plays for Loughborough Lightning in the Tyrrells Women’s Premier XVs League is a didi rugby ambassador on a mission.

The secondary school teacher has seen plenty of children with low self-esteem in her job and believes that the sooner young people can feel confident in themselves, the better.

“I decided to be a didi rugby ambassador because, now I am playing at internationals level, I want to be a role model to younger children,” said Charlotte.

“I thought it would be really fun to be involved and give something back to the community.

“I am really happy to work with younger kids. That’s my calling in life really and probably why I am a teacher.

“I think that having confidence in children is key. Self-esteem, particularly in teenagers, is quite low these days where I work.

“We need to do something about that. Getting them active at a young age and building them up in the right way will make a massive change to their physical and mental development.

“Some kids don’t have that and it can be hard to build that up inside them. So it is great to work at that from a young age and given them the sort of boost that they need.

“It’s great to work with Vicky Macqueen too. She is so passionate and excitable and that’s just what the kids at didi rugby need.”

didi rugby South Warwickshire have announced a formal link with Kenilworth RFC and will launch new classes there starting on Sunday 9 September.

They will replace the ones in central Kenilworth.

Franchise coach Rich Bennett played for the first team at Kenilworth and was head coach for a decade.

His strong relationship with the club has helped to set-up a link which both parties now hope will benefit the children involved.

didi rugby South Warwickshire’s head coach Kiri Bennett says she is delighted that there will be a natural pathway for kids who come through the age groups from 18 months to six years old.

“We think it is a good idea to run our classes here because we can build a relationship with the mini and juniors sections of the club,” she said.

“We will be able to coach the younger children through didi and then give them the opportunity to join the minis and juniors at Kenilworth once they are old enough. Hopefully, by then, they will have developed a good level of basic skills to help that transition.

“We are hoping this will have a positive impact on the standard of young players moving up through the club too.

“This will also expose didi to a greater audience as parents see our sessions taking place when they bring their older kids to minis and juniors.

“Kenilworth RFC has a long history of developing players from minis and juniors to senior rugby. We feel that by connecting with the club, we can help with children’s development in their early years, offer a clear pathway for parents of those children, and also help them engage with activity and enjoyment which will give them the building blocks which will stay with them for life.

“We would like to thank Kenilwoirth RFC chairman Peter Blakeman and Kerry Kirwan (chairman of minis and juniors) who have both been a great help in this partnership and have shown us lots of encouragement and support.”

The launch of didi rugby classes in Enderby saw one little visitor find a lovely friendship with didi ambassador, England star Emily Scarratt.

Two-year-old Juliet Childs really found her confidence after a shy start in her class and formed a lovely bond with Emily.

Emily was at Enderby Leisure Centre along with fellow England back Charlotte Pearce as both ambassadors gave up their time to help the launch of Enderby classes for the new Bosworth franchise.

Emily was close by Juliet’s side as she enjoyed the various challenges of the didi obstacle course and was encouraging her every step of the way.

The youngster responded well and had a big smile on her face by the end of the class and will be back again next week.

A link-up with a soft play area has provided a new venue for didi rugby Reading classes in Newbury.

Eddie Catz on York Road in the town will provide not only a warm and safe place to hold the classes but will give didi kids the chance to play in the facilities free of charge before or after each session.

Eddie Catz also provide workshops, classes and events for children and toddlers.

The sessions begin on Friday 7 September and will represent the 10^th venue now hosting classes in the didi rugby Reading area. It’s a sign of the success the franchise has enjoyed since launching just six months ago.

didi rugby Reading’s full-time head coach Craig Hunter says he is looking forward to seeing how the classes take off, especially with the added bonus of further play at the venue for any children that sign up.

“They contacted us and asked if we wanted to get involved and we are hoping it is going to be a success,” he said.

“It’s a venue is a lovely soft play area with small rooms around the side so it sounds an ideal place to host didi rugby classes.”

Teresa Breakspear is the head receptionist at Eddie Catz in Newbury and she added: “The name of didi rugby is well-known in the area and we all know that sport is great for kids to get them active and away from screens.

“The children who come for didi rugby classes here are more than welcome to have a free play before or after their session.”

An amazing opportunity has arisen for any young didi rugby stars and their parents to enjoy a day to remember at RugbyFest 2018.

The event is being held at Newbold-On-Avon RFC in Rugby this Saturday.

The family day is based around rugby, entertainment and laughter, with the main event being the international legends game. Starting at 4pm, former internationals from all over the world will be going head to head in what promises to be a cracking contest.

And didi rugby stars have been invited to be mascots for the day and accompany the legends onto the pitch. Those children will also be part in a didi rugby demonstration from 2.30pm. Parents of didi children involved will get free entry to the event.

The mascot slots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and anyone interested in their little one taking part should contact vicky@didirugby.com for more information.

didi rugby owner Vicky Macqueen said: “This promises to be an exciting day for all the family and it’s a great opportunity for some of our didi youngsters to show what we do, as well as accompany some famous names from the world of rugby onto the pitch for the main event.”

Other events on the day will see Newbold RFC take on Banbury RFC for the Fereday Cup, a guest team take on the England Deaf XV and the inaugural VetFest Cup will see our more senior players compete in a Sevens Festival.

There will be loads of games and things for children to take part in from bouncy castles to a funfair, hook a duck to space hopper racing.

Formed in 1894, Newbold-On-Avon RFC on Parkfield Road it is the oldest village rugby club in the Rugby area.

Entry is just £5 for the day with under-12s going free. Plenty of charities will benefit from money raised on the day.

Huge demand for places at the launch of didi rugby Crewe and Nantwich has led to extra classes being put on for all three age groups at the event.

Head coach Katie Heirene will now be running parallel classes to make sure that there will be plenty of fun for everyone who has already booked in for a free taster session, as well as any new sign-ups in the build-up to September 8.

The launch is taking place at the brand new, £6m sports complex at Reaseheath College in Nantwich with regular classes to follow there every Saturday morning.

didi classes will also launch at Tarporley Community Centre on Sundays (starting 16 September) and Audlem Village Hall on Wednesdays (starting Wednesday 19 September).

Bookings for all venues are now being taken and Katie says she has been delighted by the level of interest in didi rugby’s first classes in the north west of England.

“The 18 months to 3 years age group filled up so quickly that we have decided to put on a second class at the same time to make sure everyone can join in,” she said.

“And with more people continuing to book their free places, we are going to do the same for the older age groups too.

“The reaction to the launch has been really positive and we have an amazing new, big facility in which to hold the classes so there are no problems with space. There is plenty of room to expand what we do.

didi rugby Coventry have strengthened their links with the city’s rugby community by announcing new classes at Old Coventrians Rugby Club.

Having already linked with Coventry Rugby Club for their launch in June, didi rugby will start classes at the Old Coventrians from Wednesday 5 September.

They will begin at 4.15pm and continue every Wednesday.

The formal link will create an idea pathway for children to join a club and surroundings they, and their parents, will be comfortable with, when they become too old for didi rugby past the age of 6.

Didi Coventry head coach Sophie Gulliver said: “We are really excited to be working with Old Covents. They are an established rugby club in Coventry who share our passion to get as many children active through rugby.

“Previous players from the club have gone on to represent Coventry Rugby Club who we are also partnered with so it’s an ideal link.

“Having old Covents involved with didi is a really helping to build the rugby community the city and we are looking forward to working together.”

Book your child onto one of the classes, email sophie.gulliver@didirugby.com or leave her a message on didi rugby Coventry’s Facebook page.

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Sam Harrison says didi rugby has taught his own children how to socialise and become confident around other kids.

Speaking at didi rugby’s annual Presentation Day at Hinckley Rugby Club, Sam says his children will enjoy the summer camp during the holidays and will continue to enjoy regular classes after that.

Sam, who has over 150 appearances for his home town club, is a didi rugby ambassador.

“Vicky Macqueen (owner) contacted me a few years ago when she was setting it up and initially I came down just to see if my two-year-old daughter wanted to get involved,” said Sam.

“I took her down and I loved it. I thought it was brilliant for young kids to teach them about sport and socialising and to give them the confidence that comes with that.

“My daughter loved it too and my kids are at the summer camp this year. That’s a couple of days a week, which will get them out of the house and give me a bit of peace and quiet too!

“It is brilliant what didi rugby is doing and it is getting bigger and bigger, which is good to see.”