Martin Crowson

December 7, 2020February 23, 2021

didi rugby Walsall to launch on Saturday 12 December

A poster saying didi rugby Walsall launches on Saturday 12 December

The launch of didi rugby Walsall will take place on Saturday 12 December and head coach Michelle Higgs cannot wait to welcome local children and parents for some free fun and activity.

Handsworth RFC is the host venue for the launch which will see classes for two didi rugby age groups: 18 months to 3 years and 4 years to 6 years.

An extra class for the 18 months to 3 years age group has been put on to satisfy demand.

The local community have reacted so well to the planned start of didi rugby classes that Michelle will be putting on a second free taster weekend the following Saturday with the same times to make sure that everyone can sample a didi rugby day before Christmas.

Memberships will then start after the festive period with regular classes taking place from January 9 onwards.

Head coach Michelle has been playing rugby for 11 years, spent the last six years at Handsworth RFC and has also been coaching girls rugby for the last four years too.

didi rugby Walsall

She has already been part of the didi rugby family for a year, helping to coach in other areas before deciding to launch her own classes.

Michelle said she was looking forward to meeting new faces from Walsall and the surrounding areas and is keen to introduce both parents and children to the values of didi rugby: fun, confidence and activity.

“I enjoy coaching for didi rugby because it’s a different coaching experience to coaching teenagers,” she said.

“Having a run around with the younger children is great. Making the sessions fun and active, seeing them laughing and enjoying themselves, and then watching them improve each week is very rewarding.

Active

“It’s about giving them as much opportunity to be active, healthy and sporty from a young age, which then gives them a great start to a healthy lifestyle as they grow up.

“You get to discover their little personalities and characteristics, and though my job is make to sure they have fun and enjoy our didi sessions, I usually end up walking away just as smiley as they do.

“I absolutely love coaching didi rugby and can’t wait to get going.”

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen will be there to support the launch and she added: “Michelle already knows didi rugby inside out having been a coach for a year.

Class times

“So she is very experienced and knows just how to make sure that her Walsall classes will teach children to grow in both physical literacy and confidence.

“She has partnered with a club in Handsworth RFC who know her well and have been very supportive in the build up to her launch. We are grateful to the local community too for their support and are excited to see lots of smiling faces.”

Class times are….

9.00-9.40: 18 months to 3 years

9.45-10.25: 18 months to 3 years

10.30-11.10: 4 years to 6 years

** To book your child a free taster sessions, email michelle.higgs@didirugby.com or book online by clicking here.

LISTEN: The first didi rugby pod is out now featuring England’s Sarah Hunter – listen here

WATCH: England Rugby star Alex Matthews launches didi rugby Worcester…

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020

Alex Matthews cannot wait for didi rugby Worcester launch

England and Worcester Women star Alex Matthews cannot wait to launch didi rugby Worcester this Saturday!

With the launch of the initial event having been put back because of England’s second national Covid-19 Lockdown, it’s all systems go for Saturday 5 December at Worcester Rugby Club.

WATCH ALEX MATTHEWS TALK ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF DIDI RUGBY WORCESTER…

And interest has already been so great that extra classes are being put on to satisfy demand for places.

Festivities will get underway at 9.00am and the fun will be going on up until lunchtime.

Times for all three didi rugby age groups are as follows…

18 months – 3 years: 9.00am to 9.40am and 11.00 to 11.40am.

3 years to 4 years: 9.40am to 10.20am

4 years to 6 years: 10.20am to 11.00am

Having been involved with England during their recent games with France home and away, head coach Alex is back playing for Worcester and looking forward to welcoming newcomers to didi rugby.

“I am excited to say that we are bringing didi rugby to Worcester this Saturday,” she said. “They are multi-skilled activity classes that will involve lots of fun and games and I am excited to meet as many of you as possible.”

As with didi sessions across the country, the safety of children, parents, carers, coaches and guests is paramount and there will be plenty of measures in place to ensure that everyone can have fun while staying safe on launch day.

didi rugby founder and CEO ex-England international Vicky Macqueen added: “We have all been waiting a long time to be able to bring the fun and values of didi rugby to the local community in Worcester. Alex, myself and a wonderful group of coaches are really looking forward to putting on a good show to bring smiles to faces of parents and children.”

Book your child’s free taster place by clicking here

Find the launch venue here: Worcester Rugby Club, Offerton Lane, Hindlip, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR3 8TR

Find out more about Worcester Rugby Club here.

November 26, 2020November 26, 2020

The ‘didi rugby pod’ is out now on Spotify, iTunes and more

The much-anticipated first episode of the brand new ‘didi rugby pod’ is out now!

We are delighted that England captain Sarah Hunter was able to join us and talk about our wonderful sport right bang in the middle of England’s battles in the autumn internationals.

Sarah has been a didi rugby ambassador since the early days of the service and she explains why she is as keen as ever to stay involved in spreading the values of didi rugby to children all over the country.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen brings listeners up to date with what has been an incredible year for the business as support has flowed in despite the constraints of a deadly pandemic.

Spotify and iTunes

The didi rugby pod is presented by former Sky Sports and current Women’s Rugby Pod host, Johnnie Hammond and he is joined by other parents who have some cracking stories to share about their youngsters.

You can listen to the pod here on our website or via all of the usual podcast platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Acast and Amazon Music.

Book your child in for a free taster session at a didi rugby class near you

WATCH: England and Worcester Women’s star Alex Matthews launches didi rugby Worcester soon….

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

Zachary’s heart-warming story at didi rugby Leicester

Zachary kicks the ball at a didi rugby session at Birstall Rugby Club

Mum Sarah was upset and frustrated when son Zachary was struggling to fit in after beginning didi rugby classes in Leicester.

Zachary was quite a way behind his peers in terms of his speech, understanding and social skills and Sarah was going through processes to try and help understand Zachary’s needs.

Not wanting her four-to-old to disrupt sessions for other children, she messaged didi rugby Birstall’s head coach, Jenny Burrows and told her that they were thinking of packing it in.

That was the start of a lovely story which has seen Zachary not only continue his classes but begin to flourish. It has been a process which has left Sarah full of praise for Jenny and her mum, Anita, after the work they have put in with the little didi star.

“We decided to take Zachary to a free trial at didi rugby to try and build his social skills,” explained Sarah. “Rugby is popular in both of our families and so we decided to give it a go.

“After a couple of weeks, it was apparent that Zachary was different to the other kids in his class. We gave it a few more weeks but noticed that he was not following instructions and was getting distracted. As a parent, it was embarrassing and frustrating. We were worried that every other parent there would think he was a naughty child.

“So I messaged Jenny and told her how we were feeling and that we were thinking about giving it up. I didn’t want him to disrupt the class for the other children.

Engaged

“Jenny asked me to try for a few more weeks and her mum, Anita took Zachary at his next class for one-to-one coaching and explained they had a plan in place to try and help. They explained that Anita would be Zachary’s one-to-one coach for as long as needed and they adapted some of the tasks to make it easier for him to stay engaged.

“He struggles to process detailed instructions but Anita started working with him and he began to engage with her. It was great to see and started taking the pressure off me and Zachary’s dad about worrying that he was being disruptive to others.

“Anita redirected him when he got distracted, he began relating to her and he has really come on. We have not looked back.

High-five

“Anita is always there for him and we have noticed in the last few weeks that he has started to notice and be aware of the other children more and start to mimic them.

“He loves a high-five and Anita and Jenny are always giving him one. One week, Anita was not there and when she returned the following week, he ran up and hugged her. That’s a really big thing for him.”

Anita and Jenny have already built up a strong following at their Birstall Rugby Club classes. Jenny has recently launched classes at two more of Leicester’s most respected clubs, Oadby Wyggestonians and South Leicester.

They are both delighted with Zachary’s progress and are very keen for it to continue in the right direction.

Excited to go

Sarah continued: “Zachary is far from perfect but he will follow the tasks now and he likes the routine. He is always excited to go to sessions.

“This process has given us some hope and makes you realise that there are nice people out there. Going through a process of trying to find out more about your son, can be very doom and gloom.

“But Jenny and Anita have gone above and beyond to help him and be the best he can be.

“Every children’s group you go to will claim that they are ‘inclusive’ but the reality of it is they that are often not. They simply believe that by allowing a child to attend, it makes them inclusive. That’s not the case and that makes it tough for parents.

Make families feel welcome

“didi rugby team have gone above and beyond for Zachary and they are always very welcoming. If Zachary meets more people like Jenny and Anita as he grows up, he will have a happier life.”

Jenny Burrows added: “I am so pleased that we were able to work with Sarah to find a way to help so that they felt they could keep on attending didi rugby classes.

“Seeing the process that Zachary has made is the best feeling. I truly believe didi is great for all children. We will always do our best to help families and make them feel welcome.”

Watch…. Welcome to the didi rugby pod

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

A letter about lockdown from didi founder Vicky Macqueen

Dear didi family,

While there is so much worry and uncertainty around about a second lockdown in England, I just wanted to reassure you that we will be right by your side throughout the next four weeks.

We are currently waiting for confirmation from the Government regarding our ability to deliver safe, face-to-face classes with you and your children.

It’s the outcome we ALL want to see and, if we are allowed to do so, we will carry on as normal.

BUT… if we are unable to do so, we will be moving to an online delivery to keep classes on and to keep your children engaged and active during the lockdown period.

Where possible, online classes will be delivered by your local coach or franchise holder from your local area so your children will see a face they recognise and can relate to.

Fantastic fun

We have had a huge didi meeting to share ideas and best practice to make our classes the very best they can be.

Having put on some fantastic fun sessions during Lockdown 1, we have now got plenty of experience.

Our coaches are primed and ready to go. Sessions can be activated from any device. You just need to find enough space to have some fun and games in your own home!

The country may be locked down 🔐 – but there will be no ‘restriction of movement’ of our online didi classes. 🙌

As always, didi HQ as well as your local coaches, will keep you updated over the next few days.

Thank you and stay safe.

#didifamily

Vicky Macqueen (didi rugby CEO and founder) 😀

Read more: BLOG: We all have a part to play in helping our kids recover from lockdown

WATCH: Helping our parents get fit and fight Covid…

October 22, 2020November 12, 2020

NEW didi rugby Worcester launch date revealed for December

Alex Matthews will lead didi rugby Worcester

didi rugby Worcester will launch at Worcester RFC on Saturday 5 December from 9am.

The original November date had to be postponed because of the second national lockdown in England.

Worcester Warriors and England star Alex Matthews will be at the helm of the new venture.

Alex, her coaching team, didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen and Worcester RFC cannot wait to get going and start bringing the fun, games and values of didi rugby to the parents and children in the area.

Free taster sessions will be available for all age groups (18 months to 6 years) for those parents wanting to give us a try on the launch day.

“I have already seen the power of didi rugby and seen how children learn so much from it,” said Alex.

Worcester RFC

“It gets them active and they always have fun. It’s a tremendously well-run and well-organised programme at didi and I am really looking forward to getting involved.”

Worcester RFC chairman Steven Lloyd said: “It’s great to have didi rugby at Worcester RFC as another branch of the rugby family tree.

“We now really do offer rugby for all ages from 18 months up. Our club is all about inclusion during these difficult times and we are proud to offer a safe, happy, experienced and welcoming space for all to enjoy what rugby has to offer. Welcome didi rugby.”

Local community

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen added: “There is a great team at Worcester RFC ready to offer all that didi rugby has to the local community.

“The club have been fantastic support in welcoming us and working proactively to get didi rugby up and running, while Alex has a huge amount of experience to bring to the party and is really keen to give something back to the sport.

“We are all looking forward to what should be a fantastic launch on 5 December with lots of fun and games for children – and their parents!”

More details of the launch day and classes to follow will be coming soon.

To book your child’s place on our didi rugby Worcester launch day, please visit: https://bit.ly/34lTETS

Watch: Welcome to the didi rugby pod…

October 14, 2020October 14, 2020

BLOG: We all have a part to play in helping our kids recover from lockdown

A graphic showing that 71% of young people say that physical activity improves their mood

We all have a role to play in making sure our children recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, says didi rugby CEO, Vicky Macqueen.

Thankfully, the vast majority of children seem to only get mild symptoms, if any at all, if they get infected by the virus.

But they have most certainly endured long-lasting effects to both their mental and physical health by missing almost half a year of their schooling, as well as being cooped up inside for large parts of that time with few places to burn off their energy.

As a former teacher myself, I have seen at first hand for many years how physically inactive children can sometimes struggle inside a classroom, both with their attainment, confidence and behaviour.

Physical activity

Of course, I am generalising here. As the CEO of a company like didi rugby, I am also clearly biased. Hands up.

But there are few people who could argue that physical activity gets kids moving, gets their heart rate up, improves their fitness and can make them more alert when inside a classroom.

So it was no surprise to see some new research from Sheffield Hallam University showing just how much of a benefit activity can have on school age children.

At didi rugby and for me as an RFU Level 4 coach, qualified PE teacher and Early Learning provider, I really believe we do generally underestimate how much a young child can gain from being physically active from a much earlier age.

It becomes imbedded in them and, part of their DNA, to feel good, happy and confident after exercise. They don’t necessarily know why and they don’t know how, but they know they feel good.

It’s not only kids that benefit. Parents have reported the same feelings after didi classes themselves. One of our major aims across the UK is to educate and support families to all feel better, healthier and more confident in life by taking part in our sessions. The positive effects of physical activity are absolutely massive!

The huge Sheffield Hallam study was on more than 60,000 students and 4,000 teachers and surveyed attitudes to work, physical and mental health.

The researched showed, in many different ways, that helping young people get active can play a vital role in helping them catch up on work missed during the Covid-19 pandemic and in supporting their mental health too.

Fun and activity

The report shows that 92% of staff believed that being physically active helps with school work, while 91% of students felt that physical activity can improve their mental and physical health.

That is fairly unequivocal isn’t it?

Now the national lockdown has ended (and let’s hope it doesn’t need to return) and organised children’s educational sports classes are being backed by the Government, let’s make the most of it.

All of our didi classes are dedicated to getting children that fun and activity they need to keep them fit and active, to get endorphins flowing around their body, get them laughing, interacting with other children their own age and giving them quality fun time with parents, who have had a tough time as well over the last seven months.

My passion is to make everyone’s life a little bit better and even more so now!

Read all about the Sheffield Hallam report here: https://www.shu.ac.uk/news/all-articles/latest-news/research-confirms-being-active-helps-pupils-in-school

VIDEO: Engaged parents getting active with didi rugby to help us fight viruses…

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020

Young didi coach Caitlin stars in Daily Telegraph article on girls rugby

didi rugby Reading coach and keen rugby player Caitlin Clark smiles next to two happy children

Young didi rugby coach Caitlin Clark is the star of a new feature article in the Daily Telegraph.

The 17-year-old daughter of didi rugby Reading franchise co-owner Donna Clark tells the story of how she has always had to battle against the system as a young female rugby player striving to be able to develop her skills at the same pace as boys.

Having played the game side-by-side boys as a youngster, things changed dramatically when mixed sexes were not allowed to play together from the age of 12.

All of a sudden, boys were playing on bigger pitches, playing longer matches, allowed to push in the scrum and hand-off, while girls were not.

The Daily Telegraph

Caitlin, who has ambitions to reach the England national team as a player, said she felt held back and put down.

She told the Telegraph: “I actually questioned whether rugby was a sport I should be doing. It was almost as if us girls weren’t worthy enough of playing because the rules were – and still are – so different, especially physically. Things were and still are so simplified for girls at that level.”

As a teenager, Caitlin was always bigger than most other girls in her under-13 age group, yet she was forced to train with nine-year-old girls nearly half her size. While boys were allowed to play up an age group, the rules didn’t allow Caitlin to move up into the under-15s.

Changes in the rules

The Telegraph feature goes on to outline Caitlin’s frustrations as a female rugby player and cites other discrepancies and inconsistencies in the grass roots game facing girls, as opposed to boys. With the numbers of girls playing the game increasing, it will be interesting to see if the game’s governing body (RFU) make any changes in the rules and structure in the coming years.

Whatever happens on the playing front, Caitlin is a hugely-respected member of the didi rugby Reading coaching team and is loved by dozens of youngsters she coaches on a regular basis.

Reading co-owner Craig Hunter said: “When didi rugby Reading launched in early 2018, Caitlin came along with Donna Clark, her mum and my business partner, to help us out. She has been with us ever since.

didi rugby coach Caitlin Clark with a young boy at a class — didi rugby Reading coach Caitlin Clark in action

Confidence

“She has developed her confidence and coaching skills throughout this time and is everything we look for in a coach. She has excellent rapport with all the didi superstars and parents alike and is a great role model for them all – but in particular the girls.

“With the development of the girls game at club level going from strength to strength, we are really keen to progress the didi players into club rugby when they are ready to join the Under-6 age groups. As soon as we can get Caitlin on an RFU Level 2 rugby course, we will, and she can then look to lead sessions on her own and build a team of coaches around her to help didi rugby Reading grow.

“Caitlin is also very keen to deliver kids didi rugby parties as soon as we are able to so safely and in line with Government and RFU guidelines, something she will be excellent at I have no doubt. If we could clone Caitlin we would.

didi rugby coach

Mum Donna added: “As a parent, I can’t put into words how proud I am of Caitlin, she has been playing rugby since she was six years old and has always shown great tenacity and passion for the game.

“With such determination, she has gone from strength to strength both on and off the pitch. She never ceases to amaze me with everything she has achieved whether it be at club, county and Centre of Excellence level.

“I have also seen her blossom as a didi rugby coach, she has such patience and can instantly spot a child that might be struggling or needs a bit of extra support and just knows how to make them smile and helps them gain their confidence.

“Her years as a rugby player have helped bring her expertise to a coaching role and through creating her own session plans ensures that every child progresses with the fundamentals of the game, whilst having fun!”

WATCH: Reading coaches delight at ‘hilarious and fulfilling classes’…

September 29, 2020

didi rugby launches at two of Leicester’s most popular clubs

A young boy in a Leicester Tigers top plays with a didi rugby ball ahead of the launch of classes at Oadby Wyggestonian RFC

Two of Leicester’s most popular clubs will be hosting the launch of new didi rugby venues during October.

Oadby Wyggestonian (Wyggs) and South Leicester are opening their doors to join the ever-growing didi family and will become part of the didi Leicester set-up which already includes Birstall RFC.

Well renowned in a rugby-mad county, South Leicester will be hosting classes from Saturday 10 October, while Oadby Wyggs will begin a week later on Saturday 17 October.

didi rugby Leicester head coach Jenny Burrows, who is also a busy Level 6 rugby referee too, has enjoyed some wonderful support from Birstall RFC since launching earlier this year and she says she is delighted to be welcomed in by two more of the county’s favourite clubs.

A young boy in a Leicester Tigers top plays with a didi rugby ball — didi rugby is expanding to Oadby and Wigston in Leicester

“Oadby and Wigston are huge population areas with loads of children who we hope will come and join us for a taster session to see what didi rugby has to offer,” said Jenny.

“Both clubs have got big minis and juniors sections and we can hopefully, over time, provide a conveyor belt of children from our didi age groups, into those who start with tag rugby.

“It’s a great opportunity for us and them to offer our programme in the area and hopefully get children and parents along to join in and have some fun with us.

“There will be lots of parents involved at those two clubs on the playing side and they will want to get their kids involved in rugby from a young age. didi provides that opportunity and enables children to start learning new skills and confidence.

Covid-safe

“While there are extended lockdown measures currently in the Oadby and Wigston area, didi rugby is not adversely affected by that and all classes will be covid-safe and will operate social distancing. As our classes at Birstall have shown, having lots of fun while being safe is perfectly possible!”

didi rugby CEO and owner Vicky Macqueen said it was fantastic to have two more well-respected clubs involved to help promote fun, activity and didi rugby values in such a strong rugby area.

“We have built up relationships with rugby clubs all over the country because we want didi rugby to be merely the start of children’s journey with our great sport,” said Vicky.

Local clubs

“Our idea has always been to host classes at local clubs, get local parents and children involved in the set-up and feeling proud of what they are a part of. Then, when the kids become too old for didi classes, give them a natural progression into the minis section of clubs they already feel home at.

“Oadby Wyggestonian RFC and South Leicester RFC have 150 years of history between them and both are committed to building strong links with their community. We are delighted to become a part of that.

“Jenny Burrows has been doing an amazing since launching at Birstall RFC and she will bring enthusiasm, knowledge and passion to our new venues in Leicestershire.”

*** Contact jenny.burrows@didirugby.com to book your child on for a free taster session at the launches of didi rugby at South Leicester RFC (Oct 10) and Oadby Wyggestonian RFC (Oct 17). ***

WATCH: Hinckley RFC praise link with didi rugby…

September 21, 2020

England’s Alex Matthews launches didi rugby Worcester

didi rugby Worcester's Alex Matthews in a didi hoodie

World Cup winner and newly-signed Worcester Women’s Rugby star Alex Matthews has joined the didi rugby team who will be launching didi rugby Worcester.

Alex has been part of the England XVs and Sevens set-up for almost a decade now but had her world thrown upside down when the England Sevens set-up became a casualty of recent coronavirus-related cuts by the Rugby Union (RFU).

Determined to ‘give something back’ to the sport that had made her what she is today, Alex had already experienced the positive benefits of didi rugby having helped out at didi rugby Reading.

So, when she got talking with didi founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen and then signed to play for Worcester Warriors in the Women’s Premier XVs this season, a partnership began to take place.

Now everything is in place, didi rugby Worcester will become the latest venue to get young children aged 18 months to 6 years playing rugby, learning new skills and having fun. Class venues will be released very soon.

It’s the latest step in an incredible few months for Alex.

Olympics

“When the pandemic began, and we had to leave the Sevens group, nobody knew what to expect,” she said.

“When we found out it was the end of the Sevens programme, it was heart-breaking. We are all desperate to go to the Olympics, and be in the best place possible, so we are currently trying to secure private funding – and that’s ongoing.

“I went through a range of emotions at the time, a lot of uncertainty. What am I going to do with my life? Would I need to go and get a job – a ‘proper job’? I panicked. But then I took a more practical approach and said to myself ‘what’s the rush’? I wanted to make sure that I am doing something that I have passion for and then didi rugby came along.

“didi will give me more of a purpose and it will be great to get young children involved in this sport and also get involved in the local community around Worcester.

Children learn so much from didi

“I have already seen the power of didi rugby and the children learn so much from it, without them even knowing. It gets them active and they always have fun. It’s a tremendously well-run and well-organised programme at didi and I am really looking forward to getting involved.”

Vicky Macqueen added: “It’s just amazing to have Alex involved in the launch of didi rugby Worcester.

“Having been involved with classes in the Reading area, Alex is fully aware of the joy our sessions can bring to both parents and children and she knows our ethos inside out.

“Her determination and drive is obvious and her background in the sport is incredible having been involved in the national set-up for a decade.

“We are proud that she has decided to help us get didi rugby Worcester off the ground and can’t wait for the parents in that area to be able to see just how good our classes are for helping their children develop new skills and confidence in a safe environment.”

WATCH: Why didi rugby Reading has enjoyed two years of success…