Sale Sharks’ brightest young female rugby talents will pit themselves against the country’s best tomorrow in the first of a series of Women’s Centre of Excellence rugby festivals.
The young Sharks squad, coached by Sharks Women and Ireland star Leah Lyons and made up of the best emerging talent from Cheshire and Lancashire, will go up against sides from clubs across the country in Malvern, Worcestershire.
Sale Sharks’ Centre Excellence held trials in July, and after being put through their paces for two gruelling days, 30 players, all aged between 16 and 18, were selected to be part of the squad for the coming season.
Now those 30 have the chance to represent Sale Sharks in a series of training days and festivals and begin their journey towards playing for Sharks Women in the Allianz Premier15s.
Sale Sharks Centre of Excellence coordinator Leah said: “The Centre of Excellence is a brilliant opportunity for players to play with and against the best players at their level in the country from all the other Centres of Excellence.
“We’ve had a four week build up going into the first festival and the players’ determination, confidence and skill set has increased massively.
“We are really looking forward to seeing the players excel and show us their teamwork and ability this weekend. It’s a massive day for all of the Centre of Excellence players and their families, who I know are very proud of them all.
“They’ve all put so much work into the last few weeks building this festival, I’m excited to see them on the pitch playing.”
Sharks Centre of Excellence players train at the club’s Training Centre in Carrington, where they have access to the gym, pitches, and elite coaching from both the Sharks Women coaches and players, such as Mhairi Grieve, Scarlett Fielding and Hannah Fields.
Sale Sharks get their season underway in September and among the players preparing for the new campaign are three of last year’s Centre of Excellence graduates.
Leah added: “It’s a massive chance for these three girls. They have the opportunity to prove themselves over the coming weeks and hopefully they will get the chance to play in a Sharks jersey.
“That’s what this is all about – making sure that we identify the best talent and then do everything we can to develop those players and give them every opportunity to play at the highest level.”
For more information about the Sale Sharks Centre of Excellence contact leah.lyons@salesharks.com
The full squad for the Malvern festival:
