Scorpions welcome Sharks 'Stars on Sunday'

Sale Scorpions do not do things by halves! Formed only in 2008 by one time Sharks Community Coach, Stu Giles, in under four seasons the Scorpions now boast over 170 members on their books-and long term, it is hoped that this is just the beginning! Playing on the "hallowed" turf of Heywood Road and under the leadership of M&J Chairman Michael Boyle, on Sunday Sale Scorpions hosted their latest attempt to increase the presence of junior players at Sale FC and were visited by two of Sale Sharks' star men, England Internationals Andrew Sheridan and Hendre Fourie.

With the Scorpions recent recruitment drive in surrounding schools, the presence of Fourie and Sheridan looked to provide inspiration to new players-and for their first rugby experience to be tasted in the most memorable way. Both Fourie and Sheridan mingled with the training age groups, watching over their sessions with valuable tips and feedback passed through. The Sharks spent a particular amount of time with the Scorpions Under 13's who had been joined by five new players for their session with "character" coaches and Sale FC 1^st team players, John Blanchard and Dom Fraternali. The Sharks forwards also visited the Scorpions Under 10's who had, of late, been working hard on their scrummaging technique and learning the principles of the "tower of power". The Under 10's talked Sheridan through the key points that they had learnt including technical positioning of their feet, knees, hips, arms, core (stomach), shoulders, neck and head for a strong and safe scrum. Sheridan was particularly impressed with the Under 10's technique that involved the relationship between the positioning of their tongue(!) inside their mouth and how that can increase the strength of their neck muscles for a scrum. Keen to show the England scrummagers their own scrummaging talent, the Scorpions then took part in a series of scrummaging exercises with Sheridan and Fourie getting stuck in, coaching the children as they worked. So not only do the Scorpions already know how to scrummage safely and strongly, but this has now been topped off with the advice of one of the world's most respected scrummagers.

On conclusion of the day's session, both Fourie and Sheridan made themselves available to all children inside the Heywood Road clubhouse and were joined the slightly less talented Sharky! However, the response shown by the Scorpions between Sharky and the Sharks' pair, would have suggested that maybe Sharky was also an England International too!! All three then took part in the Scorpions weekly awards, recognising the each age group's player of the week with a certificate and trophy. Scorpions took advantage of the Sharks' presence before leaving with Andrew, Hendre and Sharky all stopping for autographs and photographs to mark and cherish a fine occasion for all the youngsters.

Words: Danny Carlton