Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints players will mark World Down Syndrome Day 2025 at the Salford Community Stadium tonight by running out in odd socks.
People with Down’s syndrome have an extra copy of the sock-shaped 21st chromosome, and to raise awareness of the genetic condition, the Down’s Syndrome Association launched the ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign.
In round thirteen, international stars like George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman will don one home sock and one away in support of last week’s World Down Syndrome Day 2025 (Friday 21st March).
And as they take the field shortly before kick-off, they’ll be joined by Sharks’ Down syndrome team – the Sharks Crusaders Fin Club – which was launched in 2020.
This is the fifth time Sharks have thrown their support behind the ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign by wearing odd socks in a high-profile fixture, demonstrating the club’s and Foundation’s ongoing commitment to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to play rugby.
A huge part of that commitment is the Crusaders team, which was named in recognition of Sean Browne, who played for the team until his death. His favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders.
The club are partnering with Down Syndrome Cheshire to mark the occasion, and the charity, which supports people of all ages with Down syndrome, will be fund-raising at the stadium.
Vicky Irwin, CEO of Down Syndrome Cheshire, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with Sale Sharks once again for their World Down Syndrome Day celebration fixture.
“This marks the fifth year of our collaboration, and each year it just gets better. From the players proudly wearing warm-up t-shirts, to our team collecting donations and meeting fans outside the stadium, it’s a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness, celebrate inclusion, and showcase the work we do at Down Syndrome Cheshire.
“A huge thank you to everyone at Sale Sharks for their continued support and commitment to our community – it truly means the world to us.”
The Down syndrome rugby sessions, sponsored by MBNA and delivered by Sale Sharks Foundation, take place every other Sunday at Sharks’ Carrington training ground.
Faye Richardson, Community Inclusion Lead at Sale Sharks Foundation, said: “It has been a fantastic opportunity for the children and young people who attend our Down syndrome sessions to be part of fixture to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
“These opportunities not only raise awareness of Down syndrome, but also champion inclusion, and showcase the remarkable work happening in the community to make rugby more accessible to those with a disability.
“We thank the club for their support and MBNA for their continued sponsorship to make the programme a reality.”
To find out more about Sale Sharks’ Shark Fin Crusaders Club, visit Disability & Inclusive Tag Rugby | Sale Sharks.
