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.”

Teenager Eleanor will not lack experience for launch of didi rugby Syston

didi rugby Syston will be kicking off in the New Year and it will be a real family affair in the Leicestershire town.

Eleanor Wilkinson will be head coach at new classes held at the St Peter and St Paul CE Academy on Saturday afternoons from 5 January, 2019 onwards.

The 17-year-old is a well-known figure in her home village having played, coached and refereed the game locally.

She is a member of the Leicestershire Society of Rugby Referees and the sport has been in her blood from a very young age so the teenager certainly does not lack experience.

Eleanor will be helped by her sister Lydia, who is going to be her assistant coach, and her parents who are busy spreading the word through social media and by delivering leaflets in the area.

didi rugby Syston head coach Eleanor Wilkinson

Starting in January

“We will be running all three age groups when we launch and we have been out in Syston trying to tell as many people as possible that the classes will be starting in January,” said Eleanor.

“There are quite a lot of young people in Syston and a lot of people who play rugby so I am hoping it all goes well.

“I got into rugby because I have grown up with it and watched a lot of it from a very young age. Now this is very exciting because I have done a lot of volunteer coaching already.

“I met Vicky in February 2017 when we both appeared on Radio Leicester and then we saw each again at an awards ceremony.

Qualified coach

“She is a good friend who I can go to for help and advice when I need it. If I ever have an issue, she is always there.”

Vicky said she was equally as excited for the launch of classes at the St Peter and St Paul CE Academy.

“When I first met Eleanor, I was glad to be able to see how confident she was,” added Vicky. “She is a qualified coach and we began talking about getting her involved in didi rugby at some stage.

“She soon came to a few sessions and enjoyed them so I mentored her and will be supporting her now she is starting classes in Syston. We will be bringing in coaches to help out but Eleanor will be leading from the front because she is an outstanding individual.”

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.”