didi ambassador – Rachael Burford

Rachael Burford and didi rugby CEO Vicky Macqueen standing in a rugby field

Rachael Burford has made a massive impact on the world of rugby with a stellar club and international career.

A centre for Harlequins and with 84 caps for England, Rachael has played the game at the top level for more than a decade.

Coming from a rugby-playing family, Rachael first picked up a ball at the age of just six and went on to play in the same team as her mum and sister for a season at Medway RFC, where she stayed for the first 10 years of her career. 

Having learned at first hand the benefits of picking up a rugby ball from a young age, it is no surprise that Rachael wanted to help promote the values and activities of didi rugby.

The Burford Academy

With a coaching academy of her own called The Burford Academy, Rachael recognises that girls’ rugby doesn’t always receive the coverage it deserves.

Rachael said: “We are both passionate about rugby and being healthy and looking after kids. We are trying to link the Burford Academy with didi rugby in more sessions around the country.”

She is determined to be a strong role model to girls who aspire to play rugby. Her academy improves girls’ skills and knowledge of the game. She is certainly intent on helping bring on the next generation.

didi ambassador – Rachael Burford

World Cup

In a well-decorated career, Rachael had already played in two Sevens World Cups and two at XVs level, before she was part of the winning team in France in 2014, a year which saw her go on to become England’s Player of the Year.

The respect for her knowledge and achievements within the game led to her becoming the first female professional player to make it to the RPA Players’ Board in 2016.

And then she featured in every match for England during the 2017 Six Nations Grand Slam and the 2017 World Cup which saw England lose their crown in a titanic tussle with New Zealand.

That same year also saw her win the International Rugby Players’ Association merit award alongside All Black skipper Richie McCaw.

Rachael received a full-time England XVs contract in January 2019, playing in the squad that won the Grand Slam in the Women’s Six Nations.

didi Ambassador – Vicky Fleetwood

didi rugby ambassador, Vicky Fleetwood of Saracens wearing a red top

Born in Nuneaton, just up the road from the central hub of didi rugby, Vicky Fleetwood is one of England’s most decorated players.

The 31-year-old hooker has 79 caps for her country and plays for Saracens in the Allianz Women’s Premier XVs.

As a child, she was the UK’s top junior hurdler but eventually got into rugby as a player at the age of 14 after being tired of watching her brother play.

Vicky Fleetwood

Coming from the same Leicestershire School as England international and didi rugby ambassador Manu Tuilagi, Vicky played for Lichfield before moving to Saracens after England’s World Cup final in 2014.

Despite making her England debut in 2011, she raced to 50 caps in just four years.

More recently, Vicky played an important role in the path to success for her country in the 2021 autumn internationals.

Having had prior experience in personal training and diet and nutrition advising, she has now acquired the title of being a professional rugby player.

didi rugby ambassador

 

Vicky became a didi ambassador because the ethics and ideals of didi rugby are perfect for children’s development.

“I am a huge supporter of didi rugby because I think it is a fantastic way of getting children involved in sport and being active from such a young age. That is vital to their future development,” she said.

“Not only do didi’s staff work on their core skills such as handling, co-ordination and balance during educational games, they will also learn the values of rugby like respect and teamwork.

“In turn, this will build their confidence in their everyday life whether the children go on to play rugby or not. didi rugby will be a positive experience for everyone who gets involved.”

Meet our didi ambassadors: ‘Mo’ Hunt is a fiesty scrum-half with plenty of experience

Premier 15s round 7: Vicky Fleetwood reflects on Saracens Women win against Wasps YouTube interview: