didi rugby Coventry adds new class venue just days after exciting launch

didi rugby Coventry is wasting no time in moving on from a memorable launch at Coventry Rugby Club.

Due to widespread interest in the area, they have already added a new venue to their list of classes.

Adding to sessions already at Coventry Rugby Club, classes at Eastern Green Village Hall will take place for all three age groups and begin soon on Sunday mornings at 9.30am from June 24.

didi rugby Coventry’s MD Sophie Gulliver said she has been delighted with the interest from children, parents and businesses in the area.

“Our launch was a great success and there is a real sporting buzz around the city at the moment,” says Sophie.

“didi rugby is a way of bringing parents and children together through a sport which promotes such great values.

Coventry Rugby Club hosted the launch of the latest didi franchise

Fun and confidence

“All of the parents and children at our launch got fully involved and the compliments we have received following the session is a testament to Vicky Macqueen (didi owner) and what the business strives to achieve…spreading fun and confidence through activity-based sessions.

“This is just the beginning and we are excited to take didi rugby to the children of Coventry. We have received a lot of interest for long-term class sign-ups too so it looks like we will be seeing many of those faces again in the near future.”

The franchise launch day was full of fun and colour as over 100 people made it to Coventry Rugby Club for free taster sessions and the chance to have pictures taken with some of the promotion-winning Coventry Rugby squad.

Not only that, but some of the squad got stuck in with the sessions too and tested the stretchy fabric on the obstacle course’s tunnel!

The championship-winning trophy was also there to add some further shine to the day.

Everything ran smoothly

Vicky Macqueen said: “Following on from Gloucester’s launch the week before, this was another tremendous day for didi rugby.”

“The planning the Gulliver family had put in made sure everything ran smoothly and there were so many happy, smiling faces from those parents and children who took the time to visit us and get involved.

“Thanks to them and Coventry Rugby for hosting and a huge thanks to the Coventry players who took time out to help on the day too.”

Your invitation to attend didi rugby’s fantastic Presentation Day on Sunday 15 July

didi rugby logo showing a boy and girl mascot with the words 'fun, confidence and activity' below them

didi rugby is hosting a spectacular presentation day for children and parents in Leicestershire on Sunday 15th July.

Hinckley RFC will be the venue for what promises to be an amazing day of fun, games, excitement and your chance to have photos taken with some of the biggest names in both the men’s and women’s version of the sport.

If you and your child are one of the thousands of people across the country who enjoy didi rugby every week, the good news is that you are invited to come along and join in.

Every child will be presented with a special didi certificate on the day at our awards ceremony to mark their determination and efforts at our classes.

didi rugby logo showing a boy and girl mascot with the words 'fun, confidence and activity' below them
didi rugby Presentation Day

didi rugby ambassadors

There will plenty of didi rugby ambassadors enjoying the day with us including broadcaster and author Rosemary Conley, former England hooker George Chuter and Leicester Tigers scrum-half Sam Harrison, among others.

You must book your place to attend and an optional breakfast is also available for those booking in.

didi rugby to appear in partnership with GO Rugby at events in London and Cardiff this summer

didi rugby is delighted to be in partnership with GO Rugby this summer.

GO Rugby provides the sport for all ages from 18 months up to 80 years!

What started off as the Golden Oldies (GO) has expanded to an event to include all ages and, after a successful inaugural event last year, is back with two bigger weekends this year, celebrating rugby, music and food – what is there not to like?

GO’s ethos is make our wonderful sport as accessible as possible for as many as possible and didi rugby will be right behind them.

The Welsh Rugby Union will be supporting the Cardiff event at Llandaff Rugby Club, while didi rugby Reading will be heavily involved in the first English GO event with the help of the RFU, London Irish, London Irish Amateurs and Hazlewood.

GO Rugby festivals are for people aged 18 months to 80

Wonderful sport

Paul Guest from GO Rugby said: “GO Rugby is all about making this wonderful sport as accessible as possible and a real highlight of this year’s events will be the addition of many under-represented rugby grades.

“This means that literally anyone can get on the field and enjoy the game.”

Didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen added: “GO Rugby has a similar ethos to that of didi rugby and that is to make the sport accessible and fun for all involved.

“We always like our didi kids to have smiles on their faces and I think there will be a lot of those around at what we are expecting to be extremely fun weekends.

“We would love people to bring their children along to see us and we can show them what didi rugby is all about in a fun and friendly atmosphere.”

Vicky’s Blog: Getting kids active at a young age has huge benefits

didi rugby owner Vicky Macqueen writes…

Where children are concerned, that nature v nurture debate could rage on for ever.

But from my perspective as a mum with two boys aged 4 and 6, I know from experience that if I get them into good habits at a young age, there is more chance of them continuing those habits as they grow up.

Those good habits includes things like eating their greens, cleaning their teeth and actually weeing in the bowl, instead of on the floor! Boys eh?

But practicalities aside, I am very passionate about making sure my children get active and stay active.

Government guidelines encourage us to get our kids to do one hour of moderate intensity activity every day.

Getting kids active at a young age is very important

Keeping kids active

But a recent international survey of exercise among children painted a damning picture of our youngsters here in the UK.

Compared with 38 other countries, including the likes of Venezuela, England and Wales ranked joint third-last with Scotland right at the bottom.

Latest figures also claim that 20 per cent of 10 to 11-year-old in England are obese.

Keeping kids active gives them a better chance of staying away from obese levels but it will also tend to lead to fitter and healthier kids too.

That is a real driving factor behind didi rugby. My fitness kept me alive when I contracted a dangerous infection that could have killed me a few years ago. The doctors told me that my body fought the infection itself and helped to keep me alive.

I am determined to try and share the benefits of activity, health and fitness to parents and children and that is why I will remain a passionate advocate of what we do at didi rugby.

Training body and brain

I read a scientific report recently with too many long words in it for my liking. But the gist of it was quite simple. A study of 1.2 million Swedish men suggested that the more exercise they had done as kids, the more likely they were to be successful in their professional life when they grew up.

It had a positive effect on both their brains and their bone structure too.

Training your body and brain to get used to physical activity from a young age can surely only be beneficial for future fitness and health.

Old habits die hard, or so they say.

An American professor called Charles Hillman said on the subject: “Physical activity in humans is declining and looks set to get worse.

“Every chance we have to promote it is good for our health, the economy, the planet, everything really.”

Amen to that.

didi rugby to host spectacular presentation day in July

didi rugby is hosting a spectacular presentation day for children and parents in Leicestershire on Sunday 15th July.

Hinckley RFC will be the venue for what promises to be an amazing day of fun, games, excitement and your chance to have photos taken with some of the biggest names in both the men’s and women’s version of the sport.

If you and your child are one of the thousands of people across the country who enjoy didi rugby every week, the good news is that you are invited to come along and join in.

Details of how to reserve your place, can be found at the bottom of this story.

didi rugby’s presentation day will be packed with fun

Special didi certificate

Every child will be presented with a special didi certificate on the day at our awards ceremony to mark their determination and efforts at our classes.

There will plenty of didi rugby ambassadors enjoying the day with us including broadcaster and author Rosemary Conley and Leicester Tigers scrum-half Sam Harrison, among others.

And our franchise owners will be there too making this a very special day for the extended didi family.

Breakfast will be available to get the day off to a great start because nothing major was built on an empty stomach!

Loads of activities

There will be loads of activities to keep kids busy and happy with bouncy castles, games, fun and ice cream vans on site. All we need to do now is book some sunshine.

didi rugby owner Vicky Macqueen said: “We wanted to put on a big celebration day to thank all of our hard-working children and their parents.

“Our presentation day will mean every child will get their very own special ‘well done’ and there will be plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming some of our amazing ambassadors who will be there to talk to and have pictures taken with during the day.”

Reserve your place

To reserve a place, your child need to be attending a didi class anywhere in the country.

Click here to book you and your child’s place on Sunday 15th July.

Order your breakfast ahead of time by emailing bar@hinckleyrugby.co.uk with your choice of a full English breakfast for £5 or a sausage or bacon cob for £3.

Breakfast will be served from 8.30am with certificates being presented from 10am to Midday.

didi rugby announces exciting new partnership with the Burford Academy

didi rugby is delighted to announce a brand new working partnership with the Burford Academy – run by England and Harlequins centre, Rachael Burford.

The two companies share the same work ethic and ultimate goal of getting children inspired and involved in the sport of rugby.

And there will be some exciting announcements ahead after didi rugby owner Vicky Macqueen and Rachael agreed to work together on future projects.

The two backs have a strong long-term relationship having played for England at the same time and shared six years at Saracens together.

Now, Vicky concentrates on spreading the values of didi rugby far and wide while Rachael still plays the game and puts the rest of her energy into the Burford Academy coaching girls rugby.

The Burford Academy is in partnership with didi rugby

Exciting projects ahead

There will be no shortage of passion for the game when the two start linking their businesses for some exciting projects ahead.

“Rachael has been watching how didi rugby has been doing since we launched and has been interested in our set-up,” said Vicky.

“She is still be playing the game at the top level but is really passionate about girls’ rugby and how the sport has had such a positive effect on her life so she wants to develop her business too.

“We both love rugby from the amateur days to the professional days and have been looking at ways in which we can work together and help each other out.

“It is going to be very exciting. Watch this space for further developments and exciting opportunities for young people.”

didi rugby film promo trailer

We have been filming a new promotional video and we had a lot of fun producing it too.

Here is a just a taster of what our day was like with children, parents and carers playing just as big a part as our wonderful didi rugby coaches.

didi owner Vicky Macqueen said: “Thanks to all of the amazing kids who took part in the day. You did us proud and really played your part.

“Thanks to the parents who provided us with their children for the morning and gave us some great feedback too.

“And a final thanks to Hinckley Rugby Club for the use of their facilities for the shoot.:

The full video will be out soon on our website and associated social media platforms.

didi rugby film trailer

Competition will be serious when didi rugby Coventry launches on 16 June

Expect some serious competition in the Gulliver family when didi rugby Coventry is launched at Coventry RFC on Saturday 16 June.

Ben and Georgie Gulliver already run didi rugby Bedfordshire after launching in April.

Now, Ben’s parents and sister will be the driving force behind didi’s latest franchise.

Tony Gulliver made 381 first-team appearances for Coventry RFC during a playing career that spanned 15 seasons and he is still team manager for the club.

His wife Carol, a former international swimmer, will be operations director of the new venture while daughter Sophie will be running the show.

There is little doubt, in a rugby-mad, competitive family, that the successes of didi Coventry and didi Bedfordshire will be discussed at future family meals!

Carol, Tony and Sophie Gulliver will launch didi rugby Coventry

Super passionate

Sophie is a mother of three young boys aged between three and nine who all play rugby and she has seen at first hand the value of getting her kids active and having fun from a young age.

“I am super passionate about children having the options to take part in a range of activities,” said Sophie. “I believe this assists them in being well-rounded and confident when venturing in to the adult world.

“I have personally seen my children’s confidence grow from being part of many different activities.”

Tony meanwhile, has been delighted to see his grandchildren follow in his and his own offspring’s footsteps.

“Rugby always has, and always will be, my passion,” he said. “I thrive on getting more people involved in the best team sport in the world because it creates a culture of teamwork, respect, sportsmanship, discipline and most importantly, enjoyment.”

Carol is an executive leader in private healthcare with 29 years of driving high-level performance in business so there will be no lack of acumen behind this didi team.

Promote fitness for life

“I am keen to bring the well-being of children to the forefront of their daily activities and develop and promote fitness for life for the next generation,” she said.

With Coventry RFC recently gaining promotion back to the Championship, Sophie, Tony and Carol are hoping to make the most of the feel-good factor around the city.

The launch at Coventry Rugby Club will see all three didi age groups covered from 18 months to six years. Free taster sessions are available throughout the morning which runs from 9.30am to 11.30am.

didi owner Vicky Macqueen said: “Sophie, Tony and Carol are very passionate about the sport and have a lot of energy to give to the business.

“They share the same values about promoting a fit, healthy and active lifestyle and it has been great to welcome them as part of the team. I am sure Ben and Georgie at Bedfordshire will be watching with added interest!”

New classes launched at Beverley Rugby Club for didi rugby North Yorkshire & East Riding

didi rugby’s North Yorkshire and East Riding franchise is launching new classes in Beverley next month.

Beverley Rugby Club will be hosting free taster sessions for all three didi age groups with the big launch taking place on Tuesday 5 June.

Regular classes will follow on from that in June and July at the club and head coach Emma Cutress said she was delighted to be expanding their reach throughout the area.

“I’m really excited about our upcoming launch in Beverley,” she said. “This enables us to share the didi rugby fun with lots more young children across East Riding which is fantastic.

“We are seeing great skills being developed in our existing sessions while our didi stars grow in confidence and ability and I can’t wait to see even more children benefitting from getting more active in our area.

didi rugby is coming to Beverley Rugby Club

Supportive team at Beaver Park

“The team at Beaver Park have been really supportive and we are looking forward to working closely with them over the coming weeks and months to make didi Rugby a real success in Beverley.”

Classes for 18 months to 3-year-olds with start at 4.00pm, with the 3 to 4-year-olds beginning at 4.40pm.

The older didi group finish things off with the 4 to 6-year-olds going from 5.20 to 6.00pm.

A Beverley Rugby Club spokesman said: “We are extremely keen to promote rugby development at any age and welcome this fun and informative initiative to the club.”

Reading franchise owner makes the leap to full-time didi rugby

didi rugby Reading owner Craig Hunter has been so struck by the support he has received since starting the business, he has turned it into a full-time franchise.

Craig took the decision after he and fellow coach Donna Clark were struggling to take advantage of new opportunities to grow their didi business because they simply didn’t have the time to do so.

Just three months into their didi franchise and Craig has become a full-time business owner to make sure those opportunities don’t slip by.

“It all started with a great conversation I had with Vicky Macqueen (didi owner) and has turned into a full-time business now,” he said.

“It has been really enjoyable since we started but it had got to the stage where I was struggling to fit everything into three days a week and Donna was doing too much too.

Craig Hunter (third left) and the didi rugby Reading team

Time and energy

“We had invested time and energy into didi rugby but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities it was creating because we didn’t have the extra time due to other commitments.

“I thought ‘enough was enough’ and I was brave enough to make the jump!

“We have three or four coaches involved and me and Donna both coach too so we have been splitting what we do. We have been going into different clubs and schools since we started and there is plenty of other interest out there too.”

As well as taking didi rugby into schools around the area, Craig and Donna are currently hosting classes in Reading RFC on Friday and Saturday, Aldermaston RFC on Saturday and Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Monday.

“Rugby clubs in the Berkshire area are buying into it one by one and we have received some great support,” added Craig.

“I have not been surprised it has gone so well but I have been surprised at how quickly it has grown. Vicky is a big driving force behind it and she has the same ethos as we do. It’s all about engagement and there is certainly plenty of that about.

“We have lots of fun running the business and the kids enjoy seeing me melt when we are running around at classes. I am losing weight with every week that goes by!

“When adults and parents they see the kids smiling, they soon get it. Those smiles are infectious. Parents are engaged too and we make sure they are involved.

See kids having fun

“It’s a business where I can spread good values, see kids having fun and do it within a framework that makes classes affordable to parents.”

Vicky said that Craig and Donna’s success was reflective of their hard work and was delighted to see their franchise thriving.

“It is great to see a franchise that began as part-time grow into something that is now a full-time business,” she said.

“Craig and Donna have put in a huge amount of work to make sure didi rugby Reading has grown so quickly and been supported so well by parents, schools, clubs and businesses.

“They have a they have a great team didi ethic at Reading and have the same mindset and positive values at heart.

“I am confident with their drive and commitment, that growth will continue and more and more children and parents will begin to enjoy didi rugby classes.

“Like all of our franchises, whether they be part-time or full-time, they can rely on the full support of the didi rugby network and fellow franchise holders up and down the country.”