didi sports Archives

March 15, 2023March 15, 2023

Girls to have same opportunities as boys in extended school PE time

Two girls wearing a red didi rugby T-shirts holding a didi rugby ball

A campaign by England’s victorious Lionesses football squad has led to a pledge by the Government that girls will have the same PE opportunities as boys at school.

The announcement makes it clear that girls and boys should be offered the same sports during PE and extracurricular time in schools.

Two girls makes friends at a didi rugby class

The #LetGirlsPlay campaign was launched by the Lionesses squad and the FA after the England Women’s team’s success at the Euro 22 tournament last year.

Schools are also being asked to offer a minimum of two hours curriculum PE time each week.

didi rugby CEO, Vicky Macqueen, welcomed the move and said it was great news for all youngsters at school, as well as the future health of our nation.

PE opportunities

“We have always promoted didi rugby classes out of school time – and our didi sports offering in school time as a place where both boys and girls can flourish,” said the former England Women’s rugby international.

“Sport has made me the person I am, so I need no persuading that this is a great idea.

A coach and child have fun at a didi rugby class — A coach and a girl have fun at a didi rugby class

“I am also fully behind the move to give children two hours of PE provision a week at school. PE can often play second fiddle to more academic lessons and so I am delighted that our children will be able to spend more time running around, being active and having fun.

“Participating in sports is a great way for young children to not only have fun but also develop crucial life skills. At didi rugby, our classes are all based around children having fun, gaining confidence and getting active.

didi sports at school

“We also offer rugby, cricket, basketball and dodgeball under our ‘didi sports’ brands to all nurseries, pre-schools and primary schools settings.

“Getting involved in sports at a young age can have a significant impact on a child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being so we are all for it and welcome the work of the English FA, the Lionesses and the Government’s on this.”

For more information, read the Government’s full press release

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022

NEWS: Free session and children’s book reading for nurseries and pre-schools

A blonde-haired girl crawls through a tunnel holding a rugby ball at one of our nurseries. She is smiling.

Would your children like a fun run-around while learning new skills?

Following that, would they like to then settle down to be read a book which promotes friendship and resilience?

Would your nursery or education establishment like to enjoy an exciting visit from one of the country’s favourite sports class providers?

Then give didi rugby Midlands a shout.

We are currently offering free taster sessions to nurseries and pre-schools in our area to give you an idea of what we can offer.

Physical activity

Our physical activity taster session will include all of the fun games that have made didi rugby so popular with children and parents alike across England over the last seven years.

Our sessions are in line with ELYS guidance with specific focus on movement, handling, physical development, communication, language and numbers.

Then, we will settle the children down and read them our fantastic children’s story book based on the lives of our friendly mascots, Dougie and Daisy.

‘Dougie Can Catch’ tells the story of a boy who struggles to catch a ball but with perseverance and the support of his group of friends, finally manages to learn to catch, with spectacular results!

You never know, Dougie and Daisy may be able to make an appearance too…

Nurseries and pre-schools

didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen said: “This free taster session gives nurseries and pre-schools in the area the opportunity to find out what has made didi rugby so popular around the country.

“We also offer didi sports in schools which extends our variety of offering to the likes of basketball, dodgeball and cricket.

“I am certain that the children who get to take part in a didi visit will have lots of fun and learn some valuable skills while doing so.

“We can’t wait to meet you.”

If you are interested in didi rugby delivering a free taster session or, to find out more information, please get in touch with us at info@didirugby.com.

WATCH: School children love the didi rugby festival…

July 7, 2020July 8, 2020

didi sports to be piloted in educational settings and schools

Hinckley and Reading have been chosen as the first two areas for a pilot scheme which is set to see didi rugby provide an expanded offering to schools.

Starting in September, educational settings including nurseries and pre-schools will be able to book a didi sports session.

This will see classes receive a varied sports programme throughout each term which will include sports like: rugby, cricket, basketball and dodgeball.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen said she had listened to numerous requests from schools for this sort of programme.

School or nursery

“The success of didi rugby over the past two years has put us in a strong position to develop didi sports sessions,” she said.

“My area of Hinckley and the amazing team in Reading are very excited to start delivering this.

“Every school or nursery which invites us in can be confident they will be getting a very high quality delivery from a didi sports class because of the reputation we have built up with didi rugby.

“That business has been built up around rugby because of my background as an international playing for England. But I am a qualified PE teacher, I have been head of sport at a high school and have also been in a sports co-ordinator role so a multi-skilled offering has always been on the radar.

“Schools and nurseries have told us that they like to mix their activities.” Vicky Macqueen

“Schools and nurseries have told us that they like to mix their activities so it fits in well with what we are going to pilot – and hopefully roll out across the UK over time.

“Our classes will encourage pace, variety and challenge throughout. Children will add to their physical literacy and we are always committed to promoting a multi-skilled approach to learning whatever sport we offer.”

Craig Hunter, co-owner of didi rugby Reading, said: “We are really excited to be working with Vicky to start offering didi sports across the Reading area as soon as it is safe to do so from September.

“As schools, including after schools clubs and leisure centres start to get going again after lockdown, it is important that the younger children in the 18 moths to 6-years-old age range are not forgotten.”

Outdoor venues

didi rugby classes are already back up and running in most franchise areas across the UK with safe and socially-distanced classes proving a huge success at outdoor venues.

didi cricket pilot schemes were successfully launched in the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire areas before the pandemic and will now be rolled out in at least six other areas across the UK from next month onwards.

The didi sports offering will be specifically aimed at educational settings for the time being.

Watch: didi cricket classes in January saw the first expansion of the didi rugby offering