The Trafford Schools Rugby Programme has been spearheaded by former Sale Sharks player Joe Clark, who works for Trafford MV RFCC as a Rugby Development Officer.
The catalyst for the Trafford Schools Rugby Programme was to address the want to participate in Rugby, in light of football moving to Sunday for Under 12s in the Trafford area. The aim of the programme is to provide rugby playing opportunities to non rugby playing schools, into the traditional Saturday Schools fixture. The programme has seen a huge growth in the last number of weeks, with seven local schools represented within the team – Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, Ashton on Mersey School, Sale High School, St Antony’s Roman Catholic School, Sale Grammar School, Broadoak School and Wellacre Academy.
The programme has a host of links to Sale Sharks, with ex Sharks, Steve Hanley supporting the programme through coaching on Wednesday evenings.
The Trafford Schools Rugby team has had fixtures against Altrincham Grammar School for Boys and Cheadle Hulme School in their first two fixtures. Everyone involved is excited about the potential talent which could be unleased and discovered through the programme along with the support to local grassroots Rugby that the programme with support in years to come.
Joe Clark had this to say “I thought it was outrageous how eleven and twelve year olds were being asked to choose between sports on a Sunday, whilst only a select few were able to access competitive and high quality Saturday Schools Rugby fixtures, purely due to the school they attended. With this, I decided to do something about it, this saw the emergence of Trafford Schools Rugby Programme.”
Fergus Mulchrone, Sale Sharks Academy Manager commented “The work Joe has done has been very impressive, it is something that we as a Club are supporting with the donation of last season’s kit, use of our Carrington facilities and coaching support from Coaches and Sharks players. Supporting Rugby in secondary schools is of massive importance to our Academy and the future playing pathway at the Club.”
For further information please email Joe; joe.clark2@salesharks.com
