Club Name: Stockport rugby club
Nickname (if you have one): “Port”
Ground: Headlands Road, Bramhall
League: Regional 1 North West
Sharklinks:
Sharks have been circling around Stockport for some time producing some great home-grown talent. One recent prodigy is your Shark and England age grade Tom Curtis who spent his younger days down at Stockport RUFC learning the ropes and falling in love with the sport.
Our close ties with Sale Sharks offer a great development for our players and allows their dream to become a professional rugby player more of a reality. The academy is testament to the set up at the club and the coaches’ efforts are unmatched. With now having 48 mini and juniors associated with Sharks, it gives our lads the confidence and experience to work towards their goals and we are confident that we will have a few more Stockport lads repping the Sharks Jersey over the next few years.
Unsung Hero:
There are many parents, members & volunteers that make this club a huge success. From the committee members to the groundsman Alan, Jane Dzisiewski who has worked so hard on socials, Tony Kirkham, Dan Eccles, Mike Drew, Neil Wakefield all deserves a mention. Kate Avery Lofthouse has led the women’s teams from nothing to a thriving area of the club. Kay weeks has run the special needs tag rugby team for 20 years! Gemma Schofield has raised over £300,000 for the club in the last 8 years from organising large events such as the “Bramhall firework festival”.
One standout person who is the beating heart of the club is Stew Bertenshaw (Tom Curtis’ Grandad) a member for over 55 years now, a former president current long serving chief exec and all round “Mr gets things done”! At 76 years young he is always busy whether it be fixing a leak or securing a purchase of land, or even pouring a pint he is your man! This club would be lost without him (and all his machinery!) and we are thankful to have such a valuable and committed member within the club.
Favourite Sharks Moment: We hold a lot of great memories at Sharks whether that be watching our lads run out every week out onto the pitch or making their first Sharks debut, those proud moments are vital for the club ethos. With Edgeley Park is only a couple of miles from Headlands Road and those Friday night lights games will always be firm favourites of a lot of the club members. Let’s not forget, Sale winning the premiership of course must be one of those pinnacle moments, that we can’t wait to experience again!
Club Ambitions:
As a club we want to expand and develop to ensure the best possible facilities for our teams and fundraising is a big part of that. Our on-field aim is to continue to empower rugby and its values across all ages, abilities and gender.
