‘Running around after didi kids is hilarious and fulfilling’ – didi rugby Reading coach

Two didi female coaches speak to the camera at Reading RFC

didi rugby Reading coaching duo Donna Clark and Clare Swadling explain why their classes are both ‘hilarious’ and ‘very fulfilling’.

Along, with Craig Hunter, the duo have helped build an incredible success story in the Berkshire and Reading area not only for their franchise but for the hundreds of local children at schools and classes in the area.

Those kids are now benefitting from the values that didi rugby promotes and enjoying being active, having fun and gaining in confidence.

Speaking at one of their partner clubs, Reading RFC, ahead of a series of didi rugby sessions, Clare said: “We just want to make sure that the children have a chance to play rugby.

“Running around after small people is hilarious and very fulfilling. They are brilliant to be around and they just love you during the classes. It’s like having a group of puppy dogs! For those 40 minutes, they just idolise you.

50 Classes operating

 

“I love it here and the atmosphere is so different from where I have come from. I think we have 50 classes operating now and we have only been going for 18 months.”

Donna added: “The spread of didi rugby down here has been huge. We have exploded into schools as well and we are offering session every day of the week.

“Those who are too old for didi rugby are moving onto tag rugby and we love that continuity for children to keep them playing the sport.

“We are also involved with special needs schools and have links with the Berkshire Banshees wheelchair team. We try and support all sorts of areas. There’s loads going on.

Reading rugby

 

“We have an excellent relationship here with Reading RFC but it’s one big family and one big network to attract children and their parents into the sport.

“From speaking to the parents, the children love it. They wake up and say: ‘Is it didi rugby today?’.

“There is a real rapport, they enjoy it and that is what makes them want to come back week after week.”

VIDEO: didi rugby Reading co-owners Donna and Craig explain why the didi rugby franchise model has worked for them…

Find a didi rugby class in Reading at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre

Find a didi rugby class in Reading at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre in Earley, Reading. 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: Earley, Lower Earley, Whitley, Whitley Wood, Shinfield, Tilehurst, Caversham, Sonning, Woodley, Calcot, Twyford, Southcote, West Reading and Prospect Park.

Loddon Valley Leisure Centre

Rushey Way
Earley
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 4GD

Ran by didi rugby Reading

Contact Craig Hunter – 07798 844202
craig.hunter@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

didi rugby Grantham to launch at Kesteven Rugby Club

Children enjoy a didi rugby class ahead of the launch of didi rugby Grantham at Kesteven Rugby Club

Children enjoy a didi rugby class ahead of the launch of didi rugby Grantham at Kesteven Rugby Club

There will be plenty of fun and games to be had when didi rugby Grantham opens its doors to the public with a launch event on Saturday 16 November at Kesteven Rugby Club.

It will be the start of a new franchise which is being run by local resident Kerri Arlando.

Beginning at 9.00am, free taster sessions are on offer to anyone who wants to come along and see what didi rugby is all about as we try to spread the values of fun, confidence and activity throughout Lincolnshire and beyond.

Each one of the three didi rugby age groups will have a session on the day and they cover 18 months to 3 years, 3 years to 4 years and 4 years to 6 years of age.

Regular classes will then begin the following Saturday (23rd) from 9.00am and midweek sessions will also kick off on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am from 27 November.

‘didi rugby is perfect’

 

Understandably, Kerri can’t wait to get things up and running with didi rugby Grantham at a club she already has strong links with.

Kerri still plays rugby and coaches the Under-11s, meanwhile husband Dimitri coaches the Under-13s. And with two boys Leonard (12) and Alfred (10) playing the game too, rugby features heavily in the Arlando family’s weekly routine.

But with her own children growing up fast, Kerri says she misses the interaction of the little ones and so, with a high demand for something like didi rugby in the area, she decided to set up a franchise.

“didi rugby is perfect for what I want to do,” said Kerri. “It is something I can do when they kids are at school and is something that I really love because I love coaching the little kids. They are so funny and I know that my forte.

“We have had lots of parents asking how old you have to be to join the club at Kesteven but we do not have anything below our under-6s, so didi rugby can get them involved from a very young age.

Kesteven Rugby Club

 

“Lots of parents at the club have got small children and as soon as they find out that didi rugby is here, I am sure they bring their kids along as well. I am hoping it is going to be really good.”

didi rugby founder and CEO, Vicky Macqueen, said that Kerri’s passion for what she is doing is obvious.

“Kerri loves what she does and she is a well-known and popular figure around the area so we are all sure she will create a cracking atmosphere for little ones to come along and have some fun and learn some new skills.”

To book your child on for a free taster session at Kesteven on launch day or any of the other classes on offer, by visiting here

Read more: Super Tommy is thriving at didi rugby despite the challenges of Hypermobility Syndrome 

Watch: VIDEO – didi rugby launches partnership with the Burford Academy in style

Find out more about Kesteven Rugby Club by visiting their website

Find a didi rugby class in Grantham at Kesteven Rugby Club

Find a didi rugby class in Grantham at Kesteven Rugby Club

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Kesteven Rugby Club in Grantham. 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 will be ideal for children living in: Old Somerby, Woodnook, Little Ponton, Ropsley, Grantham, Boothby Pagnell and Londonthorpe.

Kesteven Rugby Club

Woodnook
High Duke
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG33 5AA

Ran by didi rugby Grantham
Contact Kerri Arlando – 07934 888581
kerri.arlando@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

Find a didi rugby class in Market Bosworth at Market Bosworth Rugby Club

Find a didi rugby class in Market Bosworth at Market Bosworth Rugby Club

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Market Bosworth Rugby Club in Market Bosworth. 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.

Classes here will be ideal for children living in: Market Bosworth, Cadeby, Shenton, Sutton Cheney, Osbaston, Carlton, Barlestone and Newbold Verdon.

Market Bosworth Rugby Club

Cadeby Lane
Market Bosworth
Warwickshire
CV13 0BA

Ran by didi rugby Midlands
Contact Denise – 07970 552243 –
claire.woodward@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

Find a didi rugby class in Swansea at Sketty Park Community Centre

Find a didi rugby class in Swansea at Sketty Park Community Centre

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Sketty Park Community Centre in Swansea. There are three age groups: 18 months to three years, three to four and four to six.

Our didi rugby South Wales 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: Swansea, Olchfe, Cwmgwyn, Carnglas, Killay, Dunvant, Mount Pleasant and Sandfields.

Sketty Park Community Centre

Heather Cres
Sketty
Wales
SA2 8HS
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact Robyn Lock – 07500 060732
Contact Andrew O’Sullivan – 07854 440007
robyn.lock@didirugby.com
andrew.osullivan@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

Book a didi rugby birthday party in the Swansea area

Book a didi rugby birthday party in the Swansea area

Are you looking for somewhere to celebrate your child’s birthday in a safe, fun and sporty environment in the Swansea area?

Do you want your little ones to be active, get involved and be laughing with their friends?

didi rugby birthday parties are a great way for us to put a smile on your child’s face on their special day.

Our didi rugby South Wales team will be happy to host your event anywhere in the Swansea area and give your child a day to remember.

Your choice of venue anywhere in South Wales

Ran by didi Rugby South Wales

Contact didi rugby – 07535 284673
southwales@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Party

Loading...

Find a didi rugby class in Swansea at Gendros Community Centre

Find a didi rugby class in Swansea at Gendros Community Centre

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Gendros Community Centre in Swansea. 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: Swansea, Gendros, Penlan, Portmead, Fforest-fach, Cockett, Cwmdu, Manselton, Townhill, Cwmbwria, Tre-boeth and Brynhyfryd.

Gendros Community Centre

Gendros Avenue East
Gendros
Swansea
Wales
SA5 8DE
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact Robyn Lock – 07500 060732
Contact Andrew O’Sullivan – 07854 440007
robyn.lock@didirugby.com
andrew.osullivan@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

Find a didi rugby class in Neath at Briton Ferry RFC

Find a didi rugby class in Neath at Briton Ferry RFC

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby South Wales classes at Briton Ferry RFC in Neath.

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. There are three age groups: 18 months to three years, three to four and four to six.

These classes are ideal for children living in: Neath, Briton Ferry, Penrhiwtyn, Melyn, Melincryddan, Cimla, Llandarcy and Baglan.

Briton Ferry RFC

Ynysymaerdy Road
Neath
SA11 2TL
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact didi rugby – 07970 552243
info@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...

Find a didi rugby class in Port Talbot at Cwmafon RFC

Find a didi rugby class in Port Talbot at Cwmafon RFC

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Cwmafon RFC in Port Talbot.

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.

There are three age groups: 18 months to three years, three to four and four to six.

Classes here are ideal for children living in: Port Talbot, Cwmafon, Pwll-Y-Glaw, Ponttrhydyfen, Baglan, Aberavon, Sandfields, Penycae, Bryn, Maesteg and Taibach.

Cwmafon RFC

Depot Road
Cwmafon
Port Talbot
SA12 9DF
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact Robyn Lock – 07500 060732
Contact Andrew O’Sullivan – 07854 440007
robyn.lock@didirugby.com
andrew.osullivan@didirugby.com

A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

Book a Class

Loading...