Find a didi rugby class in Coventry and Warwickshire at Old Leamingtonians RFC
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Old Leamingtonians RFC in Leamington Spa. 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: Earlsdon, Stivichall, Tile Hill, Whitley Walsgrave, Chelysmore, Canley, Cannon Park, Coundon, Allesley, Allesley Green, Eastern Green, Foleshill, Keresley, Green Lane, Stoke Aldermore, Ryton, Leamington Spa, Leamington, Baginton and Solihull.
Old Leamingtonians RFC
The Crofts Bericote Road
Blackdown
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 6QP
Hi my name is Andy Fox. I’m currently a kids rugby coach based in Warwickshire. I have two boys aged 12 and 8 who play both rugby union and league locally. As well as coaching young children, I am also Chairman of a large Mini & Junior section for a local club responsible for over 400 children aged U6-U16 and 70 adult coaches. I have a passion for encouraging young children into sport and using the tool of rugby to create fun, engaging activities to enhance a child’s learning, confidence and improve their coordination, speed and balance.
didi rugby classes in the Coventry and Warwickshire areas are coming back with a bang.
Andy Fox, the Mini & Junior Chairman at Old Leamingtonians RFC will be rekindling old classes and starting plenty more new ones in the area too.
To begin with, didi sessions previously run by Kiri Bennett before she moved out of the area, will start again at Old Leamingtonians RFC as well as St Martin’s Church Hall in Finham.
Andy is currently working with several venues across the Coventry and Warwickshire area to launch further classes during the rest of 2021.
Group of friends
His passion for didi rugby could not be stronger, not only because of his role of encouraging youngsters to play the game at his club but for the role the sport has had in bringing his own son out of his shell.
Andy always enjoyed rugby as a child but really got back into the sport when his son Henry joined the U6’s at local club Old Leamingtonians RFC.
“He absolutely loved it and quickly made a good group of friends,” said Andy.
From starting in the Under-6s, Henry is now 12 and still loving his rugby. He is not the only one with Andy’s other son, Isaac (8) now playing in the younger age groups.
Junior sections
Andy’s involvement in the club has grown as his sons have progressed and he is now the chairman of one of the largest mini and junior sections in Warwickshire, made up of over 450 children and 70 coaches covering age groups of U6-U16s.
It’s a position that has enabled him to build links with many other clubs’ mini and junior set-ups in the area and Andy hopes that will enable him to spread didi classes far and wide.
didi rugby is always keen to build partnerships with local clubs so that there is clear pathway for a child to keep playing the game when they turn 7.
“I have got good connections with the clubs in my area from my time at Leamingtonians. There are lots of positive conversations being had already as we start to grow didi rugby in the area.”
Launches
Details of re-launches and new classes will follow soon and launches at Old Leamingtonians and St Martin’s Church Hall are expected in mid-June.
For more information and to book your child in for a free taster session at any of these classes, please contact andy.fox@didirugby.com.
didi rugby have won an award for providing such a large amount of online classes and support for members during the pandemic.
The recognition came from international business management software provider TeamUp, who run systems in several countries for businesses which interact with members and customers via online platforms, such as Zoom.
didi rugby were awarded the ‘Outstanding Community Award’ for hosting 155 online classes between March 2020 and March 2021.
Founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen said she was both proud and delighted to see the whole team get rewarded for their determination and hard work during what was a challenging time for everyone.
Family business
“There is a real family feel to our business. So, as soon as lockdown began, didi HQ got together with our franchise owners and coaches on Zoom calls to discuss how we could still be there for our young did stars and their parents during lockdown.
“We know that face-to-face classes would be unlikely for some time. So, as a result, we grabbed the bull by the horns as a group. We embraced technology that was new to many of us and started delivering online classes instead.
“I am not saying it all went without a hitch! But to be able to deliver so many during that time is testament to the hard work of our franchise owners and coaches. Some of them had never hosted anything online in their lives before.
Local coaches
“We were all desperate to provide a link between local coaches and local children. We also wanted to try and make sure that we gave parents some interaction too. Lockdown was such a tough time for many of them stuck at home with young children.
“We received some amazing feedback during 2020 for our online classes and challenges. It was great to be able to put a smile on the face of kids and their parents while the pandemic took a hold on normal life.
“I would also like to thank our didi customers who stuck by us during this time and encouraged us to do more classes by their attendance and their feedback.
Entertainment
“I am extremely proud of everyone’s efforts and take my hat off to all of our coaches and franchise owners who provided inclusive fun and entertainment for their members, even if they only had a rolled-up pair of socks to join in with.
“A big thank-you to TeamUp for their support and for telling us that the award is richly deserved and a reflection of the strong family environment we operate in here at didi.”
The head coach of didi rugby Grantham didn’t bat an eyelid when she jumped out of a plane at 14,000 feet.
Those that know her will not be surprised by that.
Kerri Arlando of didi rugby Grantham gets her flying wings
Kerri Arlando is certainly not afraid of heights so when her family bought her a sky dive because they thought she might like it….she did!
“I think my family were more nervous than I was,” said Kerri. “I didn’t have any butterflies at all. Even climbing into the plane, I felt fine.
Kesteven Ladies
“I am more scared about posting a didi rugby video than I am jumping out of a plane!”
Kerri, who plays scrum-half for Kesteven Ladies, made the jump from Langar Airfield which is about 20 miles from her home, attached to an instructor.
“Bizarrely, I didn’t feel like I was falling. It felt more like I was flying,” she said. “It’s hard to put it into words how it felt. I didn’t scream when I jumped but it was so cold that it did take my breath away.
Kerri Arlando gets ready to jump out of a plane
“I would do it all again and am actually thinking about trying to get a free-fall license when I can. My two boys, Leonard (14) and Alfred (12) both want to do it when they are 16 too. Though I don’t think it’s my husband Dimitri’s cup of tea.”
Kerri is back down to Earth this weekend with another busy week of almost full didi rugby classes on Wednesday and Saturday at her home club, Kesteven.
Friday didi rugby classes
And there is now the chance to start the weekend early with Friday after-school classes too.
The 3 to 6-year-old’s session at 4.30pm is an ideal platform for children to enjoy didi rugby if parents have really busy or unpredictable weekends but still want their youngsters to enjoy regular classes.
Find a didi rugby class in Lichfield at Lichfield Rugby Union Football Club
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes at Lichfield Rugby Union Football Club in Lichfield. 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.
The owner of didi rugby Burntwood knows a thing or two about coaching.
Graham Smith earned a World Cup winners medal after being an assistant coach with England Women when they won the tournament in France in 2014.
Safe to say, any children that come to the launch of his new didi rugby classes at Burntwood RFC on Saturday 24 April, will be safe hands.
Graham will also lead the launch of didi rugby Willenhall the following Saturday (1 May) at Willenhall RFC.
didi rugby Burntwood
Strong local clubs
“The two clubs we are running the classes at are two very strong local clubs with a good following and a good place in the community,” said Graham. “They have been very supportive in the build-up to the launch and know the value of attracting young children to play the game we all love.”
As a player, Graham enjoyed his time at the Moseley club and became involved with rugby’s governing body, the RFU as a youth development officer in 1993.
He became involved with women’s rugby at Loughborough University in 2003 where he met the eventual World Cup-winning head coach Gary Street – who is also a didi rugby ambassador.
Moulding an England women’s team which involved the likes of a 17-year-old Emily Scarratt and a 19-year-old Sarah Hunter, not to mention the likes of Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt, Maggie Alphonsi and Katy Daly-Maclean, was hard work but good fun.
Founder of didi rugby
The success of that squad was built on a strong work ethic and culture and it left an indelible mark on Graham who is rightly proud of his achievements.
His early days with the England set-up also introduced him to Vicky Macqueen, a tough and talented back who is now the founder and CEO of didi rugby. The two are back together again with another common goal – to bring sporting fun and activity to as many young children as possible.
“I had always kept an eye on what Vicky was up to with didi rugby when I was coaching CN Poble Nou in Barcelona before the pandemic struck so it is great to now work together on trying to bring didi rugby to families in the Burntwood and Willenhall areas,” said Graham.
didi rugby Willenhall
“I am hoping it is a very positive reaction to the launches,” he said. “I am sure there are loads of parents who are keen to get their kids outside, moving around and having fun after what we have been through with Covid.”
Vicky Macqueen said: “Graham’s record as a coach speaks for itself but he also has a real passion for getting youngsters, not only playing the game but encouraging them to be active and running around.
Local community
“It’s a strong rugby area around Burntwood and Willenhall and I am sure we will get a good reaction from the local community. We can’t wait to get going.”
If your child is between 18 months and six years of age, they can find out more information or book a place at Burntwood RFC on 24 April or Willenhall RFC on 1 May by emailing graham.smith@didirugby.com.
You can also book direct via our website’s ‘find a class’page.
Book a didi rugby birthday party in the Burntwood and Willenhall area
Are you looking for somewhere to celebrate your child’s birthday in a safe, fun and sporty environment?
Do you want your little ones to be active, involved and having a laugh 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 in the didi rugby Burntwood and Willenhall area.
Your choice of venue anywhere in the Burntwood and Willenhall didi rugby area
Find a didi rugby class in Burntwood and Willenhall at Willenhall Rugby Union FC
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes in Burntwood and Willenhall at Willenhall Rugby Union FC. 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: Burntwood and Willenhall.
Willenhall Rugby Union FC
25 Bognop Road
Essington
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV11 2BA
Find a didi rugby class in Burntwood and Willenhall at Burntwood Rugby Club
Introduce your children to rugby at a young age with didi rugby classes in Burntwood and Willenhall at Burntwood Rugby Club. 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: Burntwood and Willenhall.
Burntwood Rugby Club
The Sportsway
Chasetown
Burntwood
Staffordshire
WS7 3PH
