Discovering future Sharks across the North West. For 14-16 year-olds.
Our Player Development Group (PDG) is the first stage on the pathway towards the professional game and aims to develop the best local talent aged 14-16 years old. Our focus is around individual player development, with playing opportunities through inter-team festivals at Under 15 and playing competitive fixtures at Under 16.
Rugby clubs and schools nominate rugby union players that stand out in their age group, and who display early signs of our Sharks DNA. Once a player is nominated, they will be invited to an assessment session at one of our six PDG hubs across the North West. Talented athletes from other sports can be nominated if there is potential to excel in rugby union.
Players who are successful at the assessment stage are then selected to be part of the Player Development Group and follow a curriculum designed by the Sale Sharks Academy, with a focus on the development of core skill, decision making and athleticism. Our curriculum is delivered on a weekly basis through the attacking and defensive principles of play, game based with skills zones and our Sharks DNA. Contact time is between 20-30+ hours.
Your local PDG Hub:
East Cheshire: Cheadle Hulme School, Claremont Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6E
West Cheshire: Chester RFC, Hare Lane, Littleton, Chester, CH3 7DB
Central Cheshire: Lymm RFC, Crouchley Lane, Lymm, WA13 0AS.
Greater Manchester: Platt Lane Sports Complex, Yew Tree Road, Manchester, M14 7UU
Merseyside: Ruskin Sports Village, Ruskin Drive, St Helens, WA10 6RP
North Lancashire: Preston Grasshoppers RFC, Lightfoot Green Lane, Preston, PR4 0AP
Sale Sharks: Sale Sharks Training Centre, 31 Carrington Lane, Carrington, M31 4AB
If you would like to learn more about our PDG please contact noel.speed@salesharks.com