Last Friday, in the run up to the Sale Sharks match against Harlequins, Reece Atherton and his rugby chum, Charlie Timlin were guest of Sale Sharks. Reece had won the 'money can't buy experience' in a recent competition run by the MEN early February, with the prize being: Attending Carrington for a tour of the facilities, eating the pre match meal with the players, travelling on the coach with the players to the match, behind the scenes tour of Sale Sharks home ground, Salford City Stadium, run on with the match officials to present the match ball, photos on the pitch, attendance at the post match press interviews and finally meeting the captain and other players in the post-match hospitality area.

Reece and Charlie are both rugby players themselves, playing for the U15s at Rochdale RUFC, one of Sale Sharks Community Connections partners. Reece plays as fly half for the team whilst Charlie's position is Hooker. During the evening both lads were able to meet some of their Sale Sharks idols including Danny Cipriani and Tommy Taylor. After the match, Reece and Charlie met Captain David Seymour, who had just signed an extension to his contract with Sale Sharks, along with Rob Miller and Dan Braid.

Pictured above are Reece and Charlie with Dwayne Peel, Rob Miller and Andy Powell, Reece and Charlie with Danny Cipriani and post-match meeting captain David Seymour.

Following the evening's events, Reece said "Massive thank you for Friday, Charlie and I had an amazing day. It was a life changing experience and really inspires us to one day become professional rugby players. The hospitality we received from you, the players and coaching staff was brilliant which made the day even better! From start to finish the day you organised was great. Once again thank you."