Sale Sharks rugby club have launched a brand-new mental health and wellbeing programme in partnership with children’s charity, Place2Be.
The Manchester-based team do plenty of work around local communities and their latest initiative is targeting primary school kids around Greater Manchester.
Kicking off the ‘Try2Connect’ campaign last week with a special event at Ellenbrook Community Primary School in Worsley, several Sale Sharks got involved with the launch and got both learn about and help teach them about ‘the five ways to wellbeing’.
The likes of Joe Carpenter, Georgie Perris-Redding, Molly Wright and Sharks star Ben Curry, who has been a Place2Be Champion for a number of years now, all went along to join in with the sessions and play a bit of tag rugby. Wholesome stuff.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 2 𝘽𝙚📍
We've joined forces with children’s mental health charity, @Place2Be, to launch a brand-new, school-based mental wellbeing programme called 'Try2Connect'🤝.
This project aims to promote positive mental health through workshops and tag rugby sessions!
As explained in the full announcement, Try2Connect is about promoting wellbeing and positive mental health practices from an early age, starting in the school setting in the hope that children will take the important knowledge out into the world as they grow up.
Comprising of various classroom workshops designed around the aforementioned ‘five ways to wellbeing’, as well as more active stuff like tag rugby and other multi-sport sessions — all of which are still designed to incorporate the themes explored during lessons — the programme is set to run for the next six weeks.
Alongside the two-hour weekly sessions in and out of the classroom, the project is also aimed at promoting longevity, with a ‘Wellbeing Wall’ tailored to the individuals being built in each school, with a total of 24 schools set to benefit from the scheme over the next 12 months.
Brilliant stuff, as is the work that Place2Be do day in, day out.
🏫 There are so many ways your school can support children's mental health in the next academic year. How about:
👕 A dress down day? 👟 A sporting challenge? 🍰 Baking?
Sale Sharks Co-Owner, Michelle Orange, said: “We’re extremely proud to have partnered with Place2Be on the launch of Try2Connect, a programme which we hope will have a positive lasting impact on children across the region and is another symbol of our commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing.
“Starting a new rugby season is a lot like starting a new school year in many ways, each bringing their own sense of anticipation and uncertainty, and it’s important that we do what we can to encourage young people to talk about their feelings.
“We’re all really excited about the difference we can make, using our sport to drive what is a crucial message.” You love to see it, and you can find out more about Place2Be’s vital work HERE.
With the Sharks set for a historic home semi-final against Leicester Tigers this coming weekend, it’s great to see that they’re still managing to put in just as much effort off the pitch as on it.
Featured Image — Sale Sharks (via Twitter)/Place2Be
Sport
Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
A young BMX star from Trafford finished on the podium in the 2025 World Championships
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester native placed on the podium at the 2025 BMX World Championships in yet another display of our region’s sporting excellence.
12-year-old Leo Rowlands from Timperley in Trafford was one of the several promising BMX riders representing Team GB at the World Championships in Copenhagen, which kicked off at the end of July.
Back in 2023, Geordie-born Kieran Reilly became the UK’s first champion at the UCI BMX Freestyle Worlds in Glasgow, and this year, London’s Beth Shriever claimed a trio of world titles.
Combine that with the incredible achievement of the talented young lad coming third overall in his own category, and it really was another brilliant performance from Great Britain.
Credit: Supplied
Penning a proud statement online, local outlet Altrincham Today wrote: “HUGE congratulations to Leo Rowlands, who has just claimed WORLD No. 3 at the BMX World Championships in Copenhagen.
“The Year 7 [aged 11-12] Altrincham College student, who’s been racing since age 6 and trains at Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle, came through a field of over 140 of the world’s best riders to reach the final and secure his spot on the podium.
“Already North Champion and UK National No. 2, Leo will be going for the British Championship title in Kent this month.”
Joining in sharing their pride and praise on social media, his home college in Alty, along with Rowlands’ fellow students, simply added: “Incredible performance, Leo!”
The comments underneath both posts are filled with other parents and fellow locals passing on their congrats. You love to see it.
Credit: Family Handout (supplied)
As for his regular cycling haunt, Bruntwood Park BMX Club also went on to add: “Yesterday, two riders reached the top of the sport for their age, and it is with great pride that they bring home the club’s first W plates from a World Championships.
“First up, Leo Rowlands, who put down a stunning lap in the Male 12s final, working his way back from dead last out of the gate to make a brilliant podium and take home W3.”
They went on to credit all of their rising talents, including another promising young and already multi-title-winning champion in Lexi Waite, who fought her way back from a slipped gate to finish in fifth.
Bruntwood signed off by adding: “What an incredible achievement from both of these outstanding riders, and we cannot wait to have these guys back with their W plates!”
There’s plenty of cycling history being made here in Greater Manchester, and we’ve no doubt there’s more to come.
Danny Jones -
10th May 2023 
