Sharks Autism Friendly

Will Greenwood recently tweeted his support for Sale Sharks and their quiet room after his wife posted a message on Twitter in support of a Sharks fan who made use of the room at the Northampton Saints match last weekend. Lisa Johnson and her son, Ellis were at the match on Saturday 25^th November, when Ellis who has Autism needed to escape from the atmosphere at the match. Lisa and Ellis were able to retreat to the AJ Bell Stadium Quiet Room, where Ellis could relax for 10 minutes then go back out and cheer on his favourite Sharks players.

Would like to thank @AJBell_Stadium for providing a quiet room. Son needed to go in there today for a few minutes to help calm down at half time of the @SaleSharksRugby game. Without this available we wouldn't be able to come. #helpingfamilies #inclusiverugby #autism pic.twitter.com/lPVZYi3TJo

- ??Lisa?? (@lisa_j79) November 25, 2017

Lisa Johnson's initial tweet, with a picture of her son Ellis relaxing in the Quiet Room at the AJ Bell Stadium

Bravo @SaleSharksRugby @AJBell_Stadium it's the little things that make a massive difference @WillGreenwood https://t.co/xSJO5E0ZB8

- Caro Greenwood (@spikey_mama) November 27, 2017

Will Greenwood's wife, Caroline responds to Lisa's tweet and brings it to the attention of her husband Will

Sensational from @SaleSharksRugby - wonderful initiative https://t.co/XQC45x6MB6

- Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) November 27, 2017

World Cup Winner, Will Greenwood applauds Sale Sharks for the facility of the Quiet Room at the AJ Bell Stadium

Sale Sharks Inclusion Officer Vicky Irwin said: "Ellis is involved in our Autism Rugby project, Play On and the group was at the match on Saturday. As part of their introduction to the stadium, all the participants were made aware of the Quiet Room in case they needed to use it. Having the Quiet Room at the stadium allows for everyone to come and experience a Sharks home match regardless of whether they have any additional needs and requirements, this means we can be as inclusive to as many fans as possible.

In the past, Ellis's mum, Lisa has spoken to myself about how great it is having this facility onsite to allow them to enjoy family days out to Sharks home matches. If there was no Quiet Room, they unfortunately would have had to leave the stadium to go home. Previously we have had individuals with a disability, veterans or individuals with anxiety who have used the room on match days."

Lisa Johnson, said: "The Quiet Room is fantastic, without this facility we couldn't come to Sharks home matches. Ellis struggles when the environment becomes overwhelming for him, this can happen at any time and going into the quiet room enables Ellis to relax and come back out and enjoy the rest of the match. I posted this message on Twitter to raise awareness of the facility as it is not that well known, I never imagined a World Cup Winner would see it and share it amongst his followers. That in itself has made Ellis' year!"

For more information on disability and inclusive rugby, please email Vicky.irwin@salesharks.com or to find out more about the work of the Sale Sharks Community Trust, visit www.salesharks.com/community.