Sale Sharks’ first team stars Halani Aulika and George Nott have been confirmed as disability ambassadors for this season for the club’s inclusive ‘In the Pack’ community programme.

Tonga prop Aulika will join the programme, which promotes rugby as a fully inclusive sport for all, as a player ambassador, whilst lock forward Nott has supported the Sale Sharks Community Trust’s work in disability sport for the past three years, regularly attending mixed ability rugby sessions.

Both players will attend sessions run by the Trust’s award-winning coaches in schools, community centres and rugby clubs across the North West.

George said: “’In the Pack’ is a brilliant programme making a massive difference to the lives of people right across the North West and I’m just honoured to have the chance to get involved.

“I’ve been to some of the mixed ability rugby sessions so I have seen first-hand what impact rugby can have. Both Halani and I are looking forward to getting stuck in.”

The ‘In the Pack’ programme is designed to open up rugby to groups of people who might not have had the chance to play before.

Coaches from the Sale Sharks Community Trust deliver a variety of activities including inclusive tag rugby, wheelchair tag rugby, mixed ability rugby and walking rugby to people of all ages and with a wide range of abilities right across the region.

Since the programme launched in November 2016, ‘In The Pack’ coaches have worked with 1278 individuals, of which 1103 were disabled or have an additional need, and they’ve delivered sessions in 41 different venues.

Sale Sharks Community Trust Inclusion Officer Vicky Irwin said: “It’s fantastic that we have Sale Sharks players wanting to become ambassadors for the programme.

“Halani and George are perfect role models for all those individuals we engage with as part of ‘In the Pack.’ Having spoken to both players, I know they’re looking forward to getting involved and making a difference. I can’t wait for them to get out in the community to join some of our sessions.”

Anyone interested in more information about the programme should email Vicky at Vicky.irwin@salesharks.com or call 07568 053428 for an informal discussion about the project.