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

Crediton RFC logo shows a religious figure in yellow on a black background

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.

Read more: High-flying Jaz is on the crest of a wave with didi rugby South Wales…and more.

WATCH: What is didi rugby…?

 

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didi rugby Devon classes to launch from February 2022

didi rugby Devon coach Paul Tearle

didi rugby is delighted to announce the launch of classes in Devon in mid-February 2022.

The announcement represents more good news for parents of children in the south west of England, following the launch of sessions in Cornwall in the summer of 2021.

didi rugby founder and CEO Vicky Macqueen says she is delighted to be bringing fun, excitement and activity to a rugby-mad corner of the country.

Paul Tearle and Gemma Carnegie will be heading up the new classes and the launch will take place at Crediton RFC on Saturday 19 February between 9.30am and 11.30am.

Crediton RFC

 

It’s a club that is dear to the heart of Paul, who started playing rugby aged 11.

“I have been a two-club man all my life and they are Crediton RFC and Sheffield Tigers RFC,” he said.

didi rugby Devon coach Paul Tearle
didi rugby Devon coach Paul Tearle

“Now back at Crediton, I’m threatening to put my boots back on at some point!”

Paul works as the PE teacher in the local comprehensive school and has already built fantastic links between the school and the club, sharing facilities, coaches and creating a pathway for those that enjoy the game at school and want to develop further at the club.

Teaching

 

As well as teaching, he also 20 years of experience working at a successful holiday camp for children aged 3-15 which was recently voted ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted after its latest inspection.

“Having met many inspirational people through the sport of rugby, the opportunity to be involved with didi rugby materialised through meeting people with a shared passion for the game and its values,” Paul added.

“Integrating my background of teaching and business and love for the game made it an easy decision to take on a didi franchise in the hot-bed of rugby here in Devon.

“With two primary-aged children of my  own, I am familiar with the challenges of parenting and getting involved with didi will offer many parents locally another outlet for children to develop and flourish in a safe and positive environment.”

Vicky Macqueen

Fellow coach Gemma is head of PE at a secondary school and has been teaching for 20 years.

She’s also been playing for two decades too and says she is a strong advocate of England Rugby’s core values of team work, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Theme which Vicky Macqueen highlighted were also driving factors behind the didi rugby ethos too.

“Paul and Gemma are going to bring lots of energy and enthusiasm to our didi rugby Devon classes and that is exciting for all involved,” she said.

“They have both got plenty of experience in teaching and a love of the game which they will pass on to the children and parents who are going to be coming to their classes.

“We have loved bringing our ethos of fun, activity and confidence to the children in Cornwall over recent months and Devon is another powerhouse of rugby activity so I am sure there will be many parents keen to start their children’s rugby journey at a young age and get them running around having fun at our classes.

“To be launching at Crediton RFC is great too. It’s a strong part of what we do as a business to build links with clubs local to our classes so that we can provide a natural pathway for kids to keep on enjoying the sport when they become too old for didi at the age of six.”

*** To book your child’s free taster session at the launch of didi rugby Devon please email – paul.tearle@didirugby.com ***

Read more:  didi rugby Cornwall flies out of the blocks in Truro.

WATCH: What is didi rugby…?