Sale Sharks

Sale Grammar school celebrated the start of their upcoming rugby season with a visit from Sale Sharks' flyer, Alex Brown, as part of the Printerland.co.uk/Lexmark Promotes Rugby Programme. 23 year old Alex, who this summer joined the Sharks from Rugby League side Batley Bulldogs, arrived straight from training at Carrington to join the Sale Grammar squads as they were preparing for their away fixtures at nearby rivals, Ashton-on-Mersey High School.

Alex watched on as boys from the Year 7-10's squads, were challenged to perform their skills under pressure, through modified games.

The Grammar school's rugby ethos has been refreshed with the hard work of talented and enthusiastic rugby coach, Stuart Crampton. With the help of English teacher, David Price-Uden, Sale Grammar current crop of pupils are experiencing great support in the game, something that Sale are keen to stress is hopefully just the beginning. The school that only recently produced former Sharks back-rower and academy graduate, David Tait (now playing in Hong Kong), are looking to continue their growth as a rugby playing school with a highly competitive fixture list this season, including matches against sides from St. Bede's, and "Sale Sharks Connections" schools, Bolton Grammar and Manchester Grammar School.

 

Part of the school's emphasis to build upon the recent strides forward, is emphasized through their involvement with the Sharks' own Connections programme. The programme allows community clubs and schools to work alongside and provides access to Sale Sharks for a variety of fundraising, experience and development opportunities.

 

Alex's visit to the training session saw a number of pupils take the opportunity to ask for tips related to the game, about the lifestyle of a professional rugby player, Alex's own personal journey to the Sharks and picked his brains about his toughest opponent (namely, Sean Long, ex St. Helens and Hull FC half-back). The boys were also able to pose for a number of photographs with Alex, who later signed autographs and chatted to a number of players individually.

 

With the school looking to bring a group of noisy supporters along to this Friday's game vs Northampton Saints, both the Sharks and Sale Grammar are looking forward to a strong rugby season for both sides in which they can support each other's "revolution" for greater benefit.

The Sharks Connections visit was supported by Sharks official sponsor, Printerland.co.uk, who together with their partner, Lexmark, promote the sport of rugby union to schools and rugby clubs across the North West through the Promote Rugby Programme.