Contact – 07804 700948 
graham.smith@didirugby.com
Graham Smith – didi rugby Burntwood and Willenhall
I have been coaching for over 30 years, the development of our young children is vital to the legacy of sport and health. I am passionate about helping coaches, parents and young people, in my experience with players at all levels using multi skilled activities is vital to develop.
Book a class in the didi rugby Burntwood and Willenhall area
Contact – 0121 389 2689
michelle.higgs@didirugby.com
Michelle Higgs – didi rugby Walsall
I have played rugby for over a decade with a break in the middle of that spell to have my daughter and am now in my seventh year at Handsworth Rugby Club.
Rugby is a massive part of my life. My son started playing five years ago and plays for the Colts team at Veseyans RFC. While watching him train one day, I was asked if I would coach a brand new girls team at the club and we are now in our fifth year.
That is where my love of coaching began and I have now also started coaching an older girls team at Erdington RFC, where I am also a first aider and safeguarding officer.
I have already been teaching didi rugby classes in Stone and Stafford before deciding to open didi rugby Walsall so I am fully aware of the benefits our sessions have on children.
I just love teaching the classes because they are so much fun running around with younger children. They always impress me and amaze me with how quickly they can pick stuff up and become so good at it.
I have come across quite a lot of cheeky personalities too and they make me laugh which makes the whole session so much more enjoyable. The kids love it and so do I.
I have always been someone that has loved participating in helping children or children’s activities, so starting up my own classes is something I am very much looking forward to.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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). ***
Read more: England star Alex Matthews leading up the launch of didi rugby Worcester
Read more: Book you child in for a taster session at Birstall RFC
WATCH: Hinckley RFC praise link with didi rugby…
Contact – 07703 823020
alex.matthews@didirugby.com
Alex Matthews – didi rugby Worcester
World Cup winner Worcester Women’s Rugby star Alex Matthews has joined the didi rugby Worcester team.
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, who has already done some work with didi rugby Reading, began speaking to didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen after signing for the Warriors in the Women’s Premier XVs this season.
A partnership was formed and didi rugby Worcester was born to get young children aged 18 months to 6 years playing rugby, learning new skills and having fun.
Alex Matthews says…
“Facing a new future, I wanted to make sure that I am doing something that I have passion for and then didi rugby came along.”
“I have already seen the power of didi rugby and the kids learn so much from it, without even knowing about it. 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 this launch.”
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Uttoxeter Rugby Club in Uttoxeter. 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 people living in Uttoxeter, Blount’s Green, The Heath, Bramshall, Spath, Highwood and Doveridge.
Oldfields Road
Uttoxeter
Staffordshire
ST14 7JX
Ran by didi Rugby Stone and Stafford
Contact – Ros Wiggins – 07764 883474
ros.wiggins@didirugby.com
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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.
“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.
“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.”
Read more: didi rugby is booming after ‘survive then thrive’ planning
Read more: Alex Matthews England Rugby profile
WATCH: Why didi rugby Reading has enjoyed two years of success…
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Penlan Leisure Centre in Swansea.
There are three age groups: 18 months to three years, three to four and four to six.
Our programme 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.
Heol Gwryosydd
Penlan
Swansea
SA5 7BU
Ran by didi rugby Swansea
Contact didi rugby – 07970 552243
info@didirugby.com
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Contact – 07814 873132
lucy.barnett@didirugby.com
Lucy, Mike and Maisie Barnett – didi rugby Harrogate
didi rugby Harrogate, Lucy Barnett, Mike Barnett and Maisie Barnett are dedicated to helping children have fun, be confident and stay active for life.
With their rugby-playing skills and coaching knowledge from multiple sports, they have a passion to get children and young people involved in rugby and all sports, whether that be playing, coaching or refereeing.
didi rugby Harrogate is a family business and those family values are very important to us. It is one of our biggest motivations, which is one of the motivations we share strongly with didi rugby.
Our aim is to create a wider family of parents and children in the local community among which we can share the values gained from a lifelong involvement in physical education and sport.
We will have a supportive, caring, fun and creative environment for our members to enjoy and develop in. We will treat everyone with an individual touch and are passionate about the benefits of involvement in lifelong physical activity and health for all.
Our family team care about helping to develop confident children and believe the core values of rugby can help that development.
Mike Barnett says…
“I have been a primary and secondary teacher in both state and private schools, progressing to become a head of PE and games as well as a director of sport.”
“Alongside this, I played club and county rugby level and then moved into coaching at Championship men’s club level.”
“I progressed to coach the England Women’s A team, where I first met didi rugby founder Vicky Macqueen and was a member of the full England coaching team at the 2010 World Cup. ”
“I am an RFU level 5 coach, one of only 24 to have gained that qualification and am also a senior coach developer working in the RFU (Rugby Union) Coach Education programme.”
“In 2013, I was appointed as RFU Area Manager and in 2018 I moved into a new national position in rugby development as Age Grade Rugby Manager. ”
“As you may have gathered, I am rather passionate about rugby!”
Lucy Barnett says…
“I am a busy housewife with two lovely daughters, Maisie and Martha.”
“When they were younger, I was vice-chair of their school PTA and over the years, I have been actively involved in many local community projects and charities. ”
“Mike and I ran a successful children’s summer sports camp for five years at Harrogate Cricket Club which was great fun!”
“Six years ago, I took on the role of manager for a new women’s team at Harrogate RUFC, alongside Mike, in the role of coaching co-ordinator. The team started in the lowest league and have worked their way up to become a Championship side now.”
“We always encourage new player development and are now proud to also have a second team in the National Women’s League too.”
Maisie Barnett says…
“I am a fully qualified primary teacher with a degree in early years and am passionate about all aspects of children’s learning and development.”
“I also play women’s rugby for Harrogate Ladies 1st XV in Championship 1 North.”
