children's rugby classes Archives

April 26, 2023

Six reasons why children should play rugby from a young age

Two boys with didi rugby shirts on watch a game

Getting children involved in rugby may seem intimidating to some parents but it is a sport that can provide numerous benefits for youngsters, both physically and mentally.

Rugby is a sport that involves tackling, running, passing and kicking. It teaches motor skills, helps to breed confidence and encourages camaraderie and friendship.

didi rugby classes are for children aged 18 months to 6 years old.

While our classes may not involve any physical tackling, the other benefits of the sport are greatly demonstrated throughout our classes.

The benefits of rugby classes for children

Physical fitness

Rugby is an excellent way to get children active and to promote movement and exercise. It requires a great deal of strength, speed, endurance and playing the sport can help children develop the basics of these qualities. Rugby also helps to improve coordination balance and agility as well as overall cardiovascular health.

Teamwork

It is a team sport that requires players to work together towards a common goal. Even at a young age, this can teach children important skills such as communication, collaboration, and leadership. Rugby can also help children learn how to support and encourage their teammates, which can be valuable in all areas of life including school.

Discipline

Rugby requires a great deal of discipline and self control young children who play rugby young children who take part in didi rugby classes learn how to follow rules, take direction from coaches listen to instruction.

Resilience

Rugby can help children to develop resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenge. Our classes incorporate children having fun and building resilience through games and obstacle courses.

Confidence

Rugby can help children develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. As children learn new skills and techniques, they can become more self-assured and feel more comfortable taking risks. This can be particularly valuable for children who struggle with self – esteem or shyness.

Social skills

Children who take part in rugby classes from a young age, including preschool, grow and flourish in social situations. Interacting and playing with other children within the rugby class, builds social skills and confidence.

WATCH: How can you make a success of owning a didi rugby sports franchise?

April 18, 2023

didi rugby classes launching in Sandbach

didi rugby Sandbach coach Ros Wiggins smiles wearing a red didi rugby hoodie and sunglasses

didi rugby classes are launching in Sandbach – and they are doing so with a bang!

Sandbach Rugby Club are right behind the set-up and will be providing full support to the new sessions, which are set to begin in June.

didi rugby Stone and Stafford head coach, Ros Wiggins has expanded her remit and will be running the classes with the support of local coaches.

What has really excited Ros is the support she has received from Sandbach RFC, who say they are very keen to fully integrate didi rugby into their juniors set-up to provide a pathway from 18 months, right up into senior rugby for both boys and girls.

didi rugby has similar links with dozens of local rugby clubs across the country.

didi rugby Sandbach

“The club and director of rugby Andy Bird, have been really supportive and they can see the benefits of starting rugby coaching early on in children’s lives,” said Ros.

“Their junior set-up is already huge and very impressive, so I am delighted that they are keen to include didi rugby in their integrated club structure.

“Sandbach RUFC have been very welcoming and have told me they are keen to extend the family feel around their club to include youngsters of didi age, so they can get involved in having fun while their elder siblings play for the mini age-groups teams.

“When we are up and running at the club, we will be looking to expand into the schools and nurseries in the Sandbach area too.”

Sandbach RUFC

didi rugby CEO and founder Vicky Macqueen said Sandbach RUFC’s support has been very welcome.

“It’s great that they are keen to get didi involved with the club,” said Vicky. “Ros has done a tremendous job with the kids in the Stone and Stafford area and she will be bringing lots of experience and energy to Sandbach too.”

With sessions set to begin in early-to-mid June, didi rugby classes for 18 months to 6-year-olds will be held on Friday afternoons. Then Saturday mornings will also see the full range of didi age groups in action.

Dates and times will be confirmed in the near future.

Follow didi rugby Sandbach and Holmes Chapel on Facebook to keep up with the latest information ahead of the launch.

February 13, 2023March 20, 2023

didi rugby becomes a member of the British Franchise Association

didi rugby has been accepted as a new member of the industry leading British Franchise Association (BFA).

The link will give didi rugby access to a wide range of resources and information that will enable the business to grow and offer a better service to franchisees, parents and children alike.

didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen has said the news is a ‘huge step for everyone involved in the business’.

The BFA is the UK’s voluntary self-regulatory body for franchising. It is a membership organisation that promotes ethical franchising practices and supports the growth of the franchising industry in the UK.

BFA member

Joining the BFA as a member has many benefits for franchisees, franchisors, and other professionals in the franchising sector.

The BFA provides members with access to best practices, industry news, and networking opportunities. They offer a range of training programs, seminars, and workshops.

“It’s a really big thing for us all at didi rugby and I would like to congratulate everyone involved with our application,” said Vicky.

“I would also like to thank our wonderful franchisees around the country who gave the BFA such good feedback when they were asked to rate our performance and support as a franchise business.

Benefit for franchisees

“Becoming an ’emerging’ member of the BFA will benefit both us and our franchisees because it opens up a whole host of resources and events which will enable us to maintain our drive for continual improvement.

“Everything we learn can be passed down to our franchisees to help them grow and run increasingly successful businesses of their own.

“Ultimately, our customers will benefit too because they will be attending exciting, fun and well-run classes by highly motivated coaches and franchise owners.”

‘The didi brand will benefit from increased exposure as well as the support and guidance of the BFA. We are really excited to make the most of our partnership.”

didi rugby now shares membership with a BFA organisation that also includes the likes of: Subway, Burger King, Costa, Clarks, Camping and Caravanning Club, Dyno-Rod and McDonalds among its established members.

The BFA is the original and largest not-for-profit trade association for franchising in the UK and has been running for over 40 years.

British Franchise Association membership

It is the only association to work in partnership with the European Franchise Federation (EFF) and World Franchise Council (WFC), influencing standards and legislation across Europe.

The BFA says that its core aim is to “support and influence high quality ethical business format franchising in accordance with the European Code of Ethics”.

The BFA proactively collaborates with government, academia, the media, other trade associations and the UK public on what constitutes franchising best practice. It seeks to educate, influence and provide advice and guidance about what franchising is and the fantastic opportunities available via this business model.

didi rugby is committed to providing high standard classes for our customers as well as high standard support for our franchisees.

If you are interested in joining our passionate didi rugby team and exploring a range of live franchise opportunities near where you live, please scan the QR code below with the camera on your smartphone to find out more.

A QR code for didi franchising information — Scan this QR code for more info on didi rugby franchise opportunities

December 16, 2022February 13, 2023

Find a didi rugby class in Lutterworth

About didi rugby Lutterworth

Contact – Hannah on 07970 433452
hannah.faulds@didirugby.com

Hannah Faulds – didi rugby Lutterworth

About Hannah Faulds

I am a rugby, athletics and netball coach with over 15 years’ experience working in local community sports clubs, primary and secondary schools both in volunteer roles and through employment.

Currently studying a part-time degree in social studies at Warwick University.

Having worked for Wasps Rugby as a community development officer, I have also worked as an RFU community coach and latterly progressed to RFU coach.

Away from my professional career, I volunteer for Lutterworth RFC, current roles being Hons Secretary and Head Coach of the girls’ section.

My husband, three sons and I are all members and have been players of Lutterworth RFC and athletes / coaches at Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club.

My background?

I was born and raised in South Shropshire. I have always been sporty, starting out with horse-riding from the age of six to add football and cross country at primary school, before moving to the team sports of hockey and netball at secondary school.

While not having the disposition for athletics in my final year at school, I set a school record for 800m and have since competed as a vet athlete for Rugby and Northampton.

Rugby has played a major role in my life, starting my playing career in Ludlow, Shropshire at the age of 17 as a No.8, moving onto Harper Adam University College, where I captained the side for a year before settling at Lutterworth RFC in September 2000 to present day.

Having played and coached rugby for many years, I have valued the addition of athletics and netball for the transferable skills that have benefited me as both participant and coach.

My aspirations for didi rugby Lutterworth?

Simply to provide a fun, safe environments for children and parents. My Saturday morning sessions will provide children with the opportunity it develop fundamental movement skills of agility, balance and coordination that are important for physical health and wellbeing.

Throughout my career, and as a mother I have seen the value of sport in building children’s confidence and resilience to support future life skills.

About Edward Faulds

Edward’s sporting careers started at an early age playing rugby for Lutterworth RFC and competing as a young athlete for Rugby and Northampton AC through primary school years.

Whilst balancing both, he was keen to try out other sports and added in both swimming (mum made him!) and golf.

During junior rugby years, Edward was selected to compete for Rugby and District and Warwickshire schools, then Leicestershire. At 14, Edward choose to concentrate on rugby and was selected for Wasps DDP and moved through to be part of the U-16s academy as a scrum half.

After being released from Wasps, Edward returned to the athletics club to develop his speed and skill set and took up 400m hurdles going on to compete for Warwickshire at English Schools.

Athletics competition was not new to Edward, during his primary school years he was Warwickshire school cross country champion and competed nationally as an U13s, U15 and U17s athlete in run, jump and throw disciplines.

Edward is 2xNational U20 400m champion, European U20 400m and 4 x400m gold medal champion and a European U20 record holder.

He is part of the British Athletics futures programme and is now running professionally for Puma.

When not training Edward can be found supporting young athletes providing coaching and mentoring support and brushing up on his golf game.

Book a class in the didi rugby Lutterworth

August 1, 2022August 3, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Bristol

About didi rugby Bristol

Contact – Simon on 07870 800294
roxy.gully@didirugby.com

Simon, Rochelle and Tyler Gully – didi rugby Bristol

About Simon, Rochelle and Tyler Gully

Simon Gully

I was fortunate to grow up in a family who loved a variety of sports but I decided that rugby was my favourite. It combined all my favourite elements of sport, skill, physicality, speed, endurance, control and teamwork.

I have been fortunate enough to have played rugby for over 40 years and in that time have played professionally, internationally and had the honour of wearing an England shirt.

I have bestowed my rugby passion to my children and have been able to support them in their rugby journey, as their coach and biggest supporter.

Why didi rugby?

I have played and loved rugby all my life. It is my passion, my challenge, my happy place! I have been coached by some of the best over the years and the respect I have for them is immense.

I can’t wait to use all I have learnt to inspire the younger generation to love the game as much as I do.

Rochelle Gully

I was introduced to rugby by my husband and have enjoyed watching him play for two decades.

It was inevitable that the kids would love it too, so I have spent most Sundays in wellies and a raincoat being a supportive rugby mum.

I can honestly say that being part of the rugby community has given our family a physical and emotional outlet, a shared love and a fantastic social circle.

We have made life-long friends thanks to rugby.

Why didi rugby?

When my son started rugby he was overwhelmed and a little scared. If there had been a didi rugby back then, we could have introduced it to him earlier and made the transition to outdoor sports a little easier.

I am really looking forward to supporting a new generation of rugby parents to inspire their little ones to be brave and have fun.

Tyler Gully

I was introduced to rugby by my dad and I started playing for my local club when I was 11 years old.

Initially, I was a little put off by the physicality of the game but once I learnt the skills, there was no stopping me.

My favourite position is flanker because I love being in the thick of the game and getting my hands on the ball at every opportunity.

I play for a grass roots rugby club which has an emphasis on developing skills and sportsmanship, thanks to this I have achieved the following:

Players’ player 2017

Coaches’ player 2018

Most improved player 2019

Gloucestershire County U13s

Gloucestershire County U15s

Why didi rugby?

I am thrilled at the thought of coaching kids how to play a sport that inspires me and others across the globe. Becoming a didi rugby coach will enable me to encourage young children to get active, develop new skills and most of all to have fun and make new friends.

Book a class in the didi rugby Bristol

August 1, 2022August 11, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Newcastle and North East

About didi rugby Newcastle and North East

Contact – 07837 111239
sophie.elliottedwards@didirugby.com

Hattie and Sophie Elliott-Edwards – didi rugby Newcastle and North East

About Hattie and Sophie

Hattie has previously played Rugby with Lichfield Ladies RFC – starting off in the Under-16s and working her way up to the senior teams too. She had opportunities to play at regional and Premiership level, alongside some of the greats in women’s rugby including didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen and didi ambassadors: Heather Fisher and Sarah Hunter.

During her time at Lichfield, Hattie has coached Under-18s/Under-16s at the club and at regional level too.

Hattie has gained so much from rugby and truly believes in the holistic benefits participation in the sport can provide. She attributes much of her successes in life to the mind-set, social skills, team working, and self-belief learned in playing and coaching rugby.

Hattie now lives in Northumberland and works for the NHS at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle – where personal drive, team-working, personal and team leadership are essential characteristics; as well as bringing a little joy into people’s journeys through the healthcare system.

“It was a gathering with long-time rugby friends that brought up discussions with Vicky Macqueen about becoming a coach and franchisee,” says Hattie. “Now we are coming back into the rugby set-up and are keen to contribute to opening-up more opportunities for little ones to have fun, learn and get them active.

“We are also keen to develop the pathway into club rugby and the rugby community as a whole.”

Sophie is a teaching assistant specialising in Early Years and SEN education. She brings with her the knowledge and facilitation of the social and educational aspects that didi rugby incorporate (including relevant Key stages for Early Years).

Sophie is from the North East (originally a ‘sand dancer’ – as those from South Shields are known by in the North East) and has spent sometime in the West Midlands before returning to Northumberland, bringing Hattie with her.

Whilst Sophie has been introduced to Rugby by Hattie, it is through her work that she has seen how much sport impacts children in a positive fashion.

Sophie believes in the inclusivity of sport and in all the positives it gives to young children such as: increasing physical development, cognitive skills, teamwork, building social skills and promoting friendship, and most importantly having fun.

“Our son is our inspiration for starting a didi franchise,” says Sophie. “It is an opportunity we want for our son, who is a big driving force for us in bringing didi rugby to the North East.

“We are looking forward to this new chapter and encouraging little ones to get active and encourage a love of physical activity from an early age. We love the North East, and we are really excited to bring the didi rugby set-up and developing sport-based opportunities here.

“For our first venue we have teamed up with Novocastrians RFC. They are a very proactive, family friendly club (who have produced some amazing players from their set-up; including Sarah Hunter – one of the didi rugby ambassadors) and we are very excited to join forces with such a great club.

“Novocastrians already have a great junior section that any aspiring didi stars could progress into, after the age of 6 years old.

Book a class in the didi rugby Newcastle and North East

April 27, 2022

Parent Max loved didi rugby so much she is now coaching classes

A didi rugby mother Max and her young son Nathan smile at the camera in their garden

Five-year-old Nathan has joined the long line of children from didi rugby Reading to have come through the didi age groups and decided to continue his rugby journey at a local didi partner club.

Having loved his didi sessions for three years, Nathan will now move up to tag rugby at Reading RFC and will take all of the skills and confidence he has learned with him.

But while he was enjoying his time at didi classes, his mum Max was enjoying it too.

So much so that when she was asked to stand in and help for one particular session, she decided to become a member of the didi rugby Reading coaching team soon after.

“Nathan and I have loved our time with didi rugby,” Max said.

“And that started from his very first trial session at Blue Coat School in Reading, when coach Clare was running the class.

Attention to detail

“They were giving stickers out to say well done to the kids at the end and Clare said it was also someone’s birthday…Nathan’s. I had not even mentioned it to her and that just showed how great their attention to detail was. I was sold at that moment and knew didi was for us.

“Nathan has loved it and worked his way through the age groups. He loves all of the coaches and you can tell Craig loves his job too because it comes out in his coaching.”

Max added: “Nathan is five now and has been coming to didi for three years. Not only does he love the fun side of things but he has learnt so many new skills, as well as the colours and numbers educational side of things too.

Sense of achievement

“I have recently decided to take a career break and when I was asked to help out at a didi session and really enjoyed it, I agreed to do a few more when Craig asked me to.

“I am still doing that and I love it. There’s a real sense of achievement for me. Kids come into a new session shy and holding a parent’s hand. Then to play a part in them enjoying themselves, running up to you as a coach and giving you a high-five is great to see. To see their growth in confidence is astonishing!”

Max will be coaching throughout the summer and will then help out when needed as the autumn term arrives.

WATCH: Why didi rugby has enjoyed years of success…

January 15, 2022August 1, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Devon

About didi rugby Devon

Contact – 01837 83748
dididevon@didirugby.com

Paul Tearle and Gemma Carnegie – didi rugby Devon

About Paul Tearle

I started playing rugby as an Under-11 inspired by my peers when I started secondary school.

Since then, I have been a two-club man all my life and been part of Crediton RFC and Sheffield Tigers RFC at various times in my life.

Now back at Crediton, I’m threatening to put my boots back on at some point!

I work as the PE teacher in the local comprehensive school and we have built fantastic links between the school and the club, sharing facilities, coaches and creating a pathway for those that enjoy the game at school and want to develop further at the club.

As a teacher, I was certainly ‘Jack of all trades’ rather than a specialist, having had national level experience in both athletics and volleyball, as well as local level basketball and football as I grew up. Those sports were always threaded between playing rugby throughout my life.

In addition to teaching, I have 20 years of experience working at a successful holiday camp for children aged 3-15 too.

Over the last 10 years, I have run that business and was delighted when it was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in our last inspection.

Having met many inspirational people through the sport of rugby, the opportunity to be involved with didi rugby materialised through meeting people with a shared passion for the game and its values.

Integrating my background of teaching and business and love for the game made it an easy decision to take on a didi franchise in the hot-bed of rugby here in Devon.

With two primary-aged children of my own, I am familiar with the challenges of parenting and getting involved with didi will offer many parents locally another outlet for children to develop and flourish in a safe and positive environment.

About Gemma Carnegie

Degree from University of Brighton
Head of PE at a secondary school.
Teaching for 20 years
Rugby player for 20 years… fly-half,
Favourite player – Johnny Wilkinson!
Fantastic role model for women’s and girls rugby.
Hobbies include anything active, hiking, climbing.
Strong advocate of England Rugby’s Core Values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.

Book a class in the didi rugby Devon

November 22, 2021January 6, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Blackburn at Pleckgate High School Dance Studio

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Pleckgate High School Dance Studio in Blackburn. There are three age groups: 18 months to three years, three to four and four to six.

Our program is designed to get kids active, teach them new skills and improve their co-ordination, speed and balance. It will also help them learn social skills while they have lots of fun in a positive, safe and friendly environment.

These classes are ideal for children living in: Mellor, Lammack, Langho, Beardwood, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Roe Lee, Pleasington, Samlesbury, Brownhill

Pleckgate High School Dance Studio

Pleckgate Road
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 8QA

Ran by didi rugby Blackburn and Ribble Valley
Contact John O’Ryan – 07905 787160
john.oryan@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

November 22, 2021October 27, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Blackburn and Ribble Valley

About didi rugby Blackburn and Ribble Valley

Contact – 07988 720062
john.oryan@didirugby.com

John O’Ryan – didi rugby Blackburn and Ribble Valley

Family trio John, James and Sam bring several lifetimes of playing, coaching and professional experience to providing fun activities for our smallest friends across Blackburn, Darwen and the Ribble Valley.

We have a superb blend of skills and knowledge, combined with a passion for sports, to encourage and promote all the fantastic positives we know that children can gain from taking part in sports.

We aim to offer a supportive, caring and fun experience at all our venues, reflecting our family values, the values we know didi rugby share and the values we have enjoyed for over 30 years in our rugby journey.

We want our didi rugby friends’ journey to be just as enjoyable, leading to a lifelong love of sport and all the benefits this brings with it like health, confidence, friends, skills and fun.

John is the head coach of the didi rugby franchise for Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.

He has been a driving force for grass roots rugby for over 20 years as a player, coach and volunteer for club, county schools union chairperson and as a national volunteer co-ordinator.

John has twice been recognised for his services to local rugby by the RFU, for mini and youth engagement and for promotion of girls’ rugby opportunities.

He has over 30 years secondary school teaching experience, an MSc in Education Management, and is a level 2 qualified RFU coach.

“Working with the didi rugby programme has given me a fantastic opportunity to complete the circle of coaching young people from 18 months to 18 years – something I have been enjoyed doing for every second over the last 20 years.

Son James O’Ryan added: “Having played rugby since the age of 4, I know how much impact sport can have on a young person’s livelihood. Sport – and rugby in particular – has always been a major part of my life. It led me to pursue sport-related studies later on with a goal to be involved in the sport industry in some capacity.

“Now having just finished a master’s degree year at Leeds Beckett studying Sport Business Management, this is the right time for me to combine my academic studies and natural will and determination into a career that is both equally challenging and rewarding at the same time.

Sam O’Ryan says: “All of our boys played rugby from the age of 5 and our house in full of images of muddy lads with smiles a mile wide. I have always been amazed by the community and extended family you gain by being part of rugby and the support we all give each other.

“As a Health Visitor in this district, I am keenly aware that not everyone has access to the opportunities to thrive as my lads have done, so programmes like didi rugby are ideal for promoting physically, socially and emotionally-active children. I particularly love that rugby has a proud tradition of inclusion and welcomes kids of all shapes, sizes, ability, and skillset.”

Book a class in the didi rugby Blackburn and Ribble Valley area