Year 10 pupils Jack, JP, Patrick, Yahya and Jasper from The Manchester Grammar School have been selected for the Sale Sharks Academy U15 Player Development Group in the Manchester region. The programme offers young players the chance to develop their rugby skills under the guidance of professional Sale Sharks coaches and represents a significant recognition of their dedication, commitment, and sporting excellence.
Jasper said: “I first started playing rugby because of my dad. I started playing club rugby when I was seven and I have continued doing that to this day, attending training three times a week and playing matches on Sundays. I don’t really base the way I play on the styles of any professionals, but there are different aspects of players’ games I have looked at to help develop my own ability. Going into the PDG, I would like to develop my decision-making in attack because I tend to try and do too much. I think it’s important to get the most I possibly can out of each session by asking the coaches questions. My goals for the rest of the season are to continue developing as a player and hopefully have some team success, whether at my club or in school. Rugby for me feels like a break from everyday school life; when I’m playing, I don’t have to worry about work or upcoming exams.”
Patrick added: “I started playing rugby at a very young age, under-6, inspired by my dad’s love for the game. He would take me and watch every week without fail, sparking my love for rugby. In rugby today, I am inspired by Marcus Smith, with his agility and passing, balanced with strength in tackling, which motivates me to keep improving my game. As part of the Sale Sharks Academy development programme, I’m most looking forward to playing a higher standard of rugby, with better players, at a higher intensity, to improve my ability. For the rest of the season, I want to maintain my dedication to rugby and try my hardest to prove myself in the Sale Sharks Academy programme. Rugby is also a huge help off the pitch; balancing matches, training, and schoolwork greatly improves my time management, whilst providing an enjoyable break from schoolwork. I look forward to starting my training with the programme.”
JP commented: “As a child, I had not heard much about rugby. I had never seen a match or children my age play, and we had never done it for PE in primary school, so it was a new and exciting experience when I joined The Manchester Grammar School. I was mainly drawn to rugby because all my friends were playing, and the training environment was very enjoyable. A player who inspires me is Maro Itoje because I respect how he captained the England team. I am looking forward to improving my handling and work rate while training in the Sale Sharks Academy Player Development Group, and I think playing with talented and hardworking people will help me do that. My goals for the rest of the season are to encourage our players to continue with rugby even as we get older and closer to our GCSEs. Another goal is for the team to score at least once against every team we play. Rugby also helps balance the pressure of academic study at MGS, as it provides an opportunity to release pent-up energy, which helps me focus during lessons.”
Jack said: “I first got into rugby because I loved how it’s all about teamwork, hard work, and pushing yourself. I liked that everyone on the pitch has a role to play and that you must rely on each other to win. Watching games with my family made me want to be part of that kind of team, and I always try to do my part in my teams. A player who really inspires me is Ben Earl; I love to watch how powerful he is with the ball, how hard he works around the pitch, and the energy he brings to every game. I was very inspired by his participation in the British and Irish Lions tour over the summer and how he and everyone else played a vital role in their victory over Australia. Now that I’ve joined the U15 Sale Sharks Academy Player Development Group, I’m really looking forward to improving my tackling, decision-making, and overall game awareness. Training with top coaches and other very good players will help me get better. My goals for the rest of the season are to keep improving my fitness and speed, play well for my school and club, and show that I can continue learning and working hard. I also want to represent the academy well by showing respect, commitment, and a positive attitude. Playing rugby really helps me balance school life at MGS; it gives me a break from studying, helps me manage stress, and reminds me to stay focused and disciplined.”
Yahya reflected: “I first started playing rugby when I joined MGS in Year 7. Before then, I hadn’t played much, but I wanted to try something that would make me tougher, both physically and mentally. From the moment I joined the rugby team, I loved the challenge: the tackles, the teamwork, and the sense of pushing myself to improve every time I stepped on the pitch. As a flanker, I really look up to Sam Underhill. I admire the way he plays with power and commitment, always putting his body on the line for the team. His tackling, work rate, and determination are exactly the qualities I try to bring to my own game. Being selected for the U15 Sale Sharks Academy Player Development Group is an amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to developing my tackling technique, breakdown work, and decision-making under pressure. I also want to build my leadership and communication skills, learning from top coaches and other players who share the same drive to improve. My goals for the rest of the season are to keep developing as a flanker, contribute as much as I can to both my school and club teams, and make the most of every Academy session. Rugby really helps me balance the pressures of school life at MGS; it provides a break from studying, helps me stay focused, and reminds me of the importance of teamwork, resilience, and discipline — both on and off the field.”
Image: Sitara Bartle Davies, The Manchester Grammar School
