Rugby scrums good as Sharks sign in.

05 Feb 2008

Twinning agreement offers top-class coaching to University players.

SPORT at The University of Manchester has launched a major coaching partnership with Sale Sharks Rugby Club.

The agreement will see the University's first and second teams benefiting from top class coaching, whilst the University will support Sharks' community work.

The University's Sports Development Manager James Birdsey said: "We are very excited about this partnership and we believe it will take the standard of our teams to a new level."

Young players are already excited about the new deal and Manchester has six England under-18 internationals wanting to come to the University next year.

The new partnership will also include pre-season strength and conditioning work for the University players at Sharks' state-of-the-art training base in Carrington.

Johnny Acheson from Sale Sharks said: "As part of the deal, the University is supplying twelve volunteer coaches to help us develop rugby in local schools. In return, we are offering three or four sessions a week of professional coaching for the University's first and second teams."

Sale Sharks will also be able to develop new talent from the University to play for their Academy side. James Birdsey said: "Sharks will have first refusal on any of our young players, so this could be the springboard to give them a full-time career in professional rugby."

The University of Manchester already has twinning agreements in other sports, with Brooklands Hockey Club, Manchester Magic Basketball Club and Timperley Lacrosse Club, which have proved very successful in raising the standard of those sports at the University; it is hoped that the deal with Sharks will make Manchester the premier destination for rugby-playing students.