FOUNDATION RECEIVES £5,000 TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS THROUGH RUGBY
Sale Sharks Foundation has received £5,000 following the 2026 Northern Grit, Sporting Glory event – an inspiring celebration of women and girls in sport across Greater Manchester.
Now in its second year, the event, held at Manchester Deansgate Hotel in September, brought together athletes, leaders, supporters and advocates to celebrate the transformative power of women’s sport and highlight the vital role of grassroots provision.
Raising £35,000, to be split between seven Greater Manchester sports foundations, guests heard honest and inspiring insights from an array of speakers, including Sale Sharks Foundation CEO Jack Leech. Discussions explored resilience, leadership and the role of accessible grassroots pathways in building confidence and increasing participation among women and girls.
Through its Levelling the Field Strategy, Sale Sharks Foundation is committed to promoting gender equality and increasing rugby participation among girls aged 6-18 in school and community settings.
The Foundation’s £5,000 grant can support programmes such as Girls Tackle Rugby, which provides curriculum-based sessions for girls aged 11–14 in schools, led by elite female players from Sale Sharks Women. Girls’ rugby festivals and Manchester-based girls rugby projects can also benefit.
Jack Leech, CEO of Sale Sharks Foundation, said:
“This year’s Northern Grit, Sporting Glory was another incredible evening celebrating the transformative power of women’s sport. It showcased inspiring leadership, positive role models and success stories, alongside a shared determination to create more opportunities and pathways for women and girls.
“We’re delighted that our work, alongside the other six Greater Manchester sports foundations, continues to be recognised and supported. This £5,000 grant will help our wider strategic work to break down barriers and create more opportunities for girls through rugby.
“We’re extremely grateful to Manchester City Council and value the strength of our partnership. We look forward to continuing to work together to widen access to sport, increase participation and provide an even greater platform for women and girls to thrive.”
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