The reseller has handed hundreds of rugby tickets to the youth charity partners of rugby team Sale Sharks.
The Big UK Newsroom reported that in a bid to “introduce new audiences to rugby”, the charity and rugby came together after Printerland gave out free tickets. Those involved included: the Stockport RUFC Stars Special Tag Rugby Squad, 50 staff from Seashell Trust and 25 youths and mentors from RECLAIM.
Members of the Seashell Trust (a national charity supporting children and young adults with “complex learning disabilities and additional communication needs”) watched the Sale Sharks win their match in the Anglo Welsh Cup. At half-time the RUFC All Stars Special Tag Rugby Squad youngsters played under the scrutiny of Peter Stringer and Josh Beaumont, who play for the Sale Sharks.
In turn, teenagers from RECLAIM (which “supports young people from working class backgrounds enabling them to maximise their full leadership”) attended a pre-match talk with Sale Sharks players Magnus Lund and Paulo Odogwu, and were able to engage by asking questions. Printerland, based in Altrincham and is a printer reseller and consumables company ”involved in the community” and partners with the team.
Graham Vickers, Co-Founder of Printerland, attended the match along with Kay Weeks who runs the All Stars Special Tag Rugby Squad, which is for young people with learning disabilities and mobility disorders.
Vickers commented: “It was fantastic to have so many youngsters and adults associated with charities engaging with the wonderful sport that is rugby. Since becoming a major partner of Sale Sharks again this season, we have been pushing for as many people as possible to become involved in rugby. It’s a sport that I’ve played myself for many years and one which has given me not just enjoyment, but life skills. We will be doing more charity initiatives like this throughout the season.”
Weeks added: “We set up the Special Tag Rugby Squad 13 years ago and it has been nothing but a huge success. The children love the sport and very much enjoyed having the chance to show off their skills at a Premiership rugby stadium in front of so many people. It’s really important that rugby is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, so we can’t thank the club and Printerland enough for giving us the opportunity.
“The youngsters also really enjoyed the Cardiff Blues match and one of our lads with Down’s syndrome performed a victory dance every time the Sharks scored, much to the appreciation of other spectators.”
Ruth Ibegbuna, CEO of RECLAIM, stated: “All 25 people who went to the stadium from RECLAIM had a wonderful time, from the moment they were picked up on a bus and taken to the AJ Bell stadium, to when the final whistle blew. Rugby is a tough sport which can teach people a lot about life and leadership, which is why we are so thankful that Printerland and the club invited us over.”