Pathways
At Stockport we value our Mini & Junior (M&J) section as this can lead them onto many areas of the game. We host rugby on a Sunday morning for all ages from U6’s (reception & yr1) up to U18’s, with various age groups offering mid-week training. We have a very successful M&J section – see the numbers maintained season on season, the smiles on the children’s faces (and the trophy’s in the cabinet!)
Mini age groups are U6 – U12
Juniors are U13 – U16, Colts at U17 and U18.
Historically, many of our M&J members continue into our senior squads on turning 17/18yrs old and stay with “Port” for many years. At present (18/19) we have a number of players throughout the three senior teams who started in our M&J section; Simon Green, Duddley Southern, Matt Lawrowitsch, Rory Austin,Kieran and Callum Hibbs to name a few.
We also have further success with players being selected for County games, Premiership and National clubs; Andy Fuller England U18s 2000, Tom Eaton England Counties 2009 and Tom Cruse who currently plays for Wasps. Tom Curtis who was in our U16’s squad 16/17, also played for Sale Sharks U16, and their

U18’s. In Aug 2018 he played for his country against France in South Africa. He captained Sedbergh to win the final and England’s U19’s! and now signed for Sale Sharks for the forth coming season. 9 caps achieved, all by the age of 17yrs!
Mixed rugby is from u6 – u11’s, and we now have a “girls” rugby squad ran by one of our ladies Kate Avery; this can then progress to playing in our very successful ladies team – the Scarlets, and for their successes, they were entered into a merit league in 18/19, where they won 6/6 of their fixtures!. Your daughter may possibly progress onto Cheshire; two of our current Scarlets have had this success.
From U13’s / Yr8, Sale Sharks offer a programme to encourage this pathway; known as the DPP, a joint initiative between Sale Sharks, the RFU and the CBs. It is designed to provide enhanced development opportunities for the best young players in the North West and ‘a first opportunity to identify players with the greatest potential to enter the pathway towards the professional game.’
The programme engages players aged 13-16 years old. Schools and clubs are invited to nominate standout rugby union players, as well as talented athletes from other sports with the potential to excel in the game. The academy invites nominations for players demonstrating attributes around our Sharks DNA (Creative Attacker, Defensive Warrior, Relentless Athlete and Best Teammate).
Nominated players are then invited to an assessment session at the start of the delivery. Players selected to be part of the DPP process follow a curriculum designed by the academy to develop the future player and focus on the development of core skill, decision making and athleticism, delivered through the principles of play. The focus of the DPP is around individual player development, with playing opportunities through festivals at Under 14 and 15.
The DPP also aims to support the holistic development of players through education around lifestyle factors.
At the conclusion of the DPP a small number of players with the greatest long-term potential will enter the Sale Sharks Player Development Group (SDG). The SDG is for identified young players aged 14-16 yrs where players train weekly at Carrington following a curriculum that addresses the holistic development of physical, technical, tactical, psychological, educational and life skills.
At Stockport we have a strong relationship with Sale Sharks and Schools; this enables schools and clubs to liaise on this process.

From September 2019 the club has also been working with Cheshire RFU and is pleased to announce that 3 local high schools will be receiving funding to encourage rugby within schools. We have a nominated Stockport coach; Dave Parker who will visit the schools and liaise with the club; the schools are Hazel Grove High, Stockport School and Kingsway High School.