Sale Sharks Foundation is tackling inequality and breaking down barriers for disabled people through its Crusaders Fin Club – a thriving tag rugby programme for young people with Down’s Syndrome.
The Crusaders Fin Club offers free, inclusive, non-contact tag rugby sessions for participants, where they can get involved in the sport, become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.
Through this programme and the wider work of the Foundation, Sale Sharks are championing healthier lives and brighter futures – reinforcing their belief that Sale Sharks is a clubhouse for all.
That belief extends beyond the local community and reflects rugby’s wider commitment to inclusion. From 27–29 March, Round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and Round 16 of the PWR will see PREM Rugby, Premiership Women’s Rugby and their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game. Using the platform of elite competition, outdated stereotypes will be challenged, and one clear message will be made: everyone is welcome, and anyone can play.
Themed ‘This Is Belonging’, the weekend will use every game, every stand and every platform to showcase that rugby is a place for all – no matter who you are or your background. Across clubs, pitches and communities, both leagues will spotlight the welcoming environment and the powerful role rugby plays in bringing people together.
This is Belonging is about pride and progress – ensuring existing fans and players feel proud to be part of the rugby family, while opening the door wider to welcome new audiences who want to see themselves represented and valued in the rugby community.
Across the country, PREM and PWR clubs and their foundations are embedded in their communities, delivering programmes that strengthen social connection, increase participation across all ages and abilities, and support physical and mental wellbeing long after the final whistle.
The Crusaders Fin Club is a leading example of how clubs are removing barriers to participation, improving health and wellbeing, and fostering a strong sense of belonging for everyone.
Named in memory of Sean Browne – a much-loved player and Sharks fan, whose favourite side was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – sessions run every other Sunday at the Sale Sharks High Performance Training Centre.
The programme is delivered through the Foundation’s Tackle Together initiative and supported by the MBNA Community Investment Programme. Down’s Syndrome rugby is one of three strands in Tackle Together, alongside Inclusive Rugby and Wheelchair Rugby in SEN and mainstream schools.
Beyond the physical activity benefits, the club has become a vital support network for both players and families. For many participants, the group offers a sense of purpose and belonging, a safe space to be themselves, enjoy the game they love and build lasting friendships.
One participant, 27-year-old James, said: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
For parents, it has created a network of shared experience, encouragement and mutual support, with James’ mum, Linda, adding: “We are prepared to travel 1.5 hours to get to Sale as James adores playing rugby and has been so welcomed into the team. For us, as parents, it means the world to see James having a wonderful time training and seeing him so happy.”
Before launching in 2020, there was no current, accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions. Today, families travel from across the North West and beyond, with nineteen regular participants attending each session.
Abi Dean, CEO at Sale Sharks Foundation, said: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging. With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
As rugby unites under the ‘This Is Belonging’ banner, programmes like the Crusaders Fin Club demonstrate what this looks like in practice – not just in stadiums, but in communities and the lives of young people who need support the most. Rugby is more than a game – it is a family, and a place for all.
