Discovering future Sharks across the North West. For 14-16 year-olds.

Our Developing Player Programme (DPP) is a joint initiative between our club, England Rugby and Cheshire and Lancashire RFU to find 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 14 and 15 until players graduate to 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 seven DPP 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 Developing Player Programme 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 DPP Hub:

East Cheshire: Cheadle Hulme School, Claremont Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6E

West Cheshire: Caldy RFC, Paton Field, Telegraph Road, Wirral, CH48 1NX

Central Cheshire: Reaseheath College, Reaseheath, Nantwich, CW5 6DF

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

Isle of Man: The Bowl, Pulrose Road, Douglas, Isle of Man

Sale Sharks: Sale Sharks Training Centre, 31 Carrington Lane, Carrington, M31 4AB

If you would like to learn more about our DPP please contact noel.speed@salesharks.com