didi rugby Archives

March 23, 2022

didi rugby Nottingham Charlotte is flying high

Players from various rugby teams sit together in the stand at Burton Rugby Club.

Young didi rugby Nottingham coach Charlotte Chaston has been putting her rugby skills up against some of the best young players in the country.

Charlotte, daughter of didi rugby Nottingham lead, Marie, played for Loughborough Lightning in the National Centre of Excellence festival at Burton.

Players from all sides at the Burton Centre of Excellence

She joined players from Wasps, Saracens, Bristol, Exeter, Worcester, Sale, Yorkshire, Hartpury, Harlequins and Northumberland in a memorable day of rugby which showcased some serious skills.

Climbing the ladder to success

From being a Nottingham Moderns RFC Junior player through to one of the founding players of their girl’s section, the South Notts Sapphires, Charlotte’s love and passion for the sport is continuously taking her further and further.

She has played rugby since the age of eight. She Started with the boys’ team and later helped mum Marie set up the girl’s section at her club, the South Notts Sapphires.

didi rugby Nottingham

“She is now keen to help with coaching some of the younger girls,” Marie said. “She loves working with the young children at didi rugby and it has really helped to grow her confidence.”

“I am so proud of her. She has worked so hard to get where she is. Maybe one day we will see her pulling on an England shirt instead of a didi rugby one!”

Charlotte has now just turned 16 and is playing for Loughborough Lightning Under-18s Centre of Excellence.

Launching in 2019, didi rugby Nottingham hosts classes for children aged 18 months to 6 years.

Find out more by visiting https://didirugby.com/find-a-class.

WATCH: What is didi rugby…?

March 9, 2022

didi rugby and Leicester Tigers launch exciting new partnership

Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen, didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen, Leicester Tigers Head of Community, Scott Clarke and the didi rugby and Leicester Tigers mascots

didi rugby are delighted to announce a ground-breaking new partnership with the best-supported rugby club in the country, Leicester Tigers.

As well as being current Gallagher Premiership leaders, Tigers have won the English domestic league 10 times and the European Cup twice. Their Mattioli Woods Welford Road ground holds over 25,000 people, as well as some memorable moments from the club’s 142-year history.

Tigers also have a proud and deep-rooted tradition of support for the local rugby community and the partnership with didi rugby will provide a pathway for the very youngest didi stars, right through to Leicester Tigers senior rugby for girls and boys.

Partnership

The new partnership will also be able to explore opportunities around matchday and schools provisions together and didi rugby look forward to working with Tigers across the whole country to get more children involved in the game of rugby.

The exciting development will run alongside Tigers+, the club’s expansive new programme to encourage more children to play rugby, and we will include pilot schemes to help local clubs with under-7s age-groups as a key source of recruitment of both players and coaches.

Vicky Macqueen, founder of didi rugby and head of the new women’s rugby programme at Tigers, said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce this partnership with Leicester Tigers and I am excited to work alongside the club to inspire children and their families to become involved in the wider rugby family.

Leicester Tigers

“Leicester Tigers share didi’s values in increasing participation in rugby and physical activity, and we want to give opportunities to engage in rugby to as many children and families as possible.”

Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen added: “This is another great initiative for the club to be involved in. We are taking a lead in getting people playing rugby as well as watching it, and partnering with a great organisation like didi will help us do this with our Tiger Cubs right across the country.”

didi rugby provides classes for children aged between 18 months and 6 years of age. Sessions are taught under governing body, the Rugby Union’s Early Years Guidelines, which didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen helped to devise.

Watch: What is didi rugby?

February 17, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Cornwall at Truro High School for Girls – PE Hall

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Truro High School for Girls – PE Hall. 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: Playing Place, Malpas, Threemilestone, Carnon Downs, Chacewater, Callestick, Shortlanesend, Gloweth, Penweathers, Feock.

Truro High School for Girls – PE Hall

Truro High School for Girls
Falmouth Road
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 2HU

Ran by didi rugby Cornwall
Contact didi rugby Cornwall – 0333 303 0980
cornwall@didirugby.com

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A rugby player kicks a rugby ball off the ground

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February 17, 2022March 20, 2023

Find a didi rugby class in Bridgend at Pyle RFC

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby South Wales classes at Pyle RFC in Bridgend.

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: Bridgend

Pyle RFC

Beach Road
Pyle
Bridgend
CF33 6AR
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact didi rugby – 07970 552243
info@didirugby.com

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February 17, 2022March 3, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Llanelli at Penygroes Community Centre

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby South Wales classes at Penygroes Community Centre in Llanelli.

These classes are ideal for children living in: Llanelli

Penygroes Community Centre

Pavilion
Penygroes
Llanelli
SA14 7PG
Ran by didi Rugby Swansea

Contact Jaz Joyce – 07531 318348
jaz.joyce@didirugby.com

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February 14, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Devon at Old Heathcoat Hall Community Centre

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Old Heathcoat Hall Community Centre in Tiverton, Devon. 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: Devon and Tiverton

Old Heathcoat Hall Community Centre

81 King Street
Tiverton
Devon
EX16 5JJ

Ran by didi rugby Devon
Contact Paul Tearle and Gemma Carnegie – 01837 83748
dididevon@didirugby.com

Book a Class

February 14, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Devon at The Waie Inn

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at The Waie Inn in Crediton, Devon. 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: Devon and Crediton

The Waie Inn

Zeal Monachorum
Crediton
Devon
EX17 6DF

Ran by didi rugby Devon
Contact Paul Tearle and Gemma Carnegie – 01837 83748
dididevon@didirugby.com

Book a Class

February 14, 2022

Find a didi rugby class in Devon at Chulmleigh Pavillions

Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Chulmleigh Pavillions in Chulmleigh, Devon. 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: Devon and Chulmleigh

Chulmleigh Pavillions

Leigh Road
Chulmleigh
Devon
EX18 7JL

Ran by didi rugby Devon
Contact Paul Tearle and Gemma Carnegie – 01837 83748
dididevon@didirugby.com

Book a Class

February 10, 2022

Local interest ‘tremendous’ for imminent launch of didi rugby Devon

The launch of didi rugby Devon is just days away and interest in the event has been ‘absolutely tremendous’ according to franchise partner Paul Tearle.

The launch takes place at Crediton RFC on Saturday 19 February with taster classes for all three didi age groups from 18 months up to 6 years of age.

Special guests on the day will be former England Women’s international, founder and CEO of didi rugby, Vicky Macqueen and local hero, Wayne Reed.

Vicky has an impressive CV and continues to develop it, having just taken on the role of Leicester Tigers women’s head coach.

Crediton RFC

Wayne has played rugby for Crediton RFC since he was a junior. In between then and now he has played for both Exeter and Plymouth whilst making numerous appearances for Devon.

Just as he thought his rugby career had peaked, a turn of events lead him to qualify to play for England deaf and he represented his country in a number of internationals.

Paul said: “We are privileged to have both guests at the event and the response we have had from the local community has been absolutely tremendous.

“We have had to extend some of our taster sessions and have now began taking bookings for our weekly sessions in March.

didi Devon

“The sport of rugby and the county of Devon have been synonymous with each other since the beginning of time.. and that has been proven once again with the numbers we have coming to our didi rugby launch.”

Paul says the didi Devon team are also grateful to host club Crediton RFC who, he says, have been incredibly supportive in the build-up to the launch.

Crediton RFC has seen a number of high-profile names come through the ranks including current Bath DoR, Stuart Hooper, Exeter Chiefs club captain, Jack Yeandle and the lesser known but hugely impressive Paul Harris. Paul has been recognised by England Rugby with their ‘President’s Value the Volunteer Outstanding Contribution Award’ for 50 years of service to the club.

“Crediton is proud of its ethos to the game and wants to include as many people as possible,” added Paul.

“As well as men’s and women’s teams, it supports hundreds of children from U9s through to U16s in both the boys’ and girls’ game under a club slogan of ‘One Big Club’.

Local venues

“And with that philosophy, they have welcomed didi rugby to allow more people to get involved in our wonderful game.

“I would like to thank Chairperson, Liz Goodman and committee member Jay Harris, for being particularly supportive in getting us up and running there.”

While Crediton RFC will be didi rugby Devon’s main hub, they will also be running satellite sessions across other local venues throughout the week.

The Waie Inn at Zeal Monochrum as well as Chumleigh Pavilions will run sessions on Wednesday mornings and afternoons respectively, with coach and PE teacher Dalton Dumont.

While on the other side of Crediton, Heathcoat Hall in Tiverton will be running on a Thursday with lead coach Andy Drayton.

The week culminates with a Saturday morning session of all three age groups run by lead coaches Andy Drayton and Steph Sansom.

For exact dates and times of all classes, contact dididevon@didirugby.com.

Find out more about didi rugby on our website.

WATCH: What is didi rugby…?

January 26, 2022January 27, 2022

High-flying Jaz is on the crest of a wave

Jasmine Joyce, posing with thumbs up, wearing red didi rugby hoodie.

New didi rugby South Wales owner Jasmine Joyce is not only enjoying packed didi classes and happy children’s faces, her own playing career is also flying high too.

The Welsh Rugby Union has awarded 12 of the national women’s team a 12-month contract for the first time in history. It was no surprise to anyone at didi HQ when Jaz was in that selected group.

This contract will give Jaz and her 11 other team mates more time to dedicate to their playing careers.

Jasmine Joyce

Passing on her congratulations to her Welsh team mates on social media, Jaz said: “This is such an exciting year for women’s rugby in Wales.”

It has been a long journey to the top for didi rugby South Wales’ lead coach Jasmine, who began playing rugby at the age of seven and ignored those who thought she was “too small” for the sport.

At the age of 12, she started playing for Haverfordwest RFC and joined the ladies youth team. In 2015, she was selected to play for the Wales women’s national rugby sevens team for the Dubai Sevens tournament.

Since then, she has gained 20 caps for Wales having made her debut in 2017 against Scotland. She has also played for Wales Sevens on numerous occasions and represented Team GB at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Jasmine was also ranked 3rd in the Guardian’s list of Players of the Year in 2021, described as ‘a trailblazer for women’s rugby, in every sense’.

didi rugby South Wales takeover

Having taking over the leadership of didi rugby South Wales from fellow international Robyn Lock at the end of last year, Jaz now drives 16 classes a week in five different South Wales locations.

didi rugby South Wales classes are flying high!

To get your children involved in didi rugby classes, visit our ‘Find a class’ page.

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