A SPORTS branding course for sixth form students included meeting up with Sale Sharks and England RU recent call up man, Danny Cipriani.

The students from Flixton's Wellacre Academy, who are part of an A-level business and sports science programme, were treated to a Sale Sharks training session and a chance to meet Danny.

During their course of study the students have been learning how to develop sports branding for their own young enterprise business 'Glowbal'.

The Glowbal initiative markets glow in the dark, tangle free, deep bass, internet connectivity headphones and sports related accessories such as arm bands for fitness.

As part of their initiative , the students made contact with the Sharks head of media and public relations Dave Swanton, who visited the academy to talk about his career and experience in sports marketing and branding.

It was then that Mr Swanton offered the students the opportunity to watch the team train and meet their hero Danny Cipriani to gauge his opinion on their product.

The leader of business and enterprise at Wellacre Mark Hodgson said "Danny thought they were a great idea and was impressed by the fact the business had made a profit so soon".

"It was a pleasure for the sixth formers to meet their local hero and not only see the Sharks in training action but also developing branding skills.

Wellacre offers a variety of A Level courses from September and for more information contact Carl Todd on 748-5011.

Pictures - left to right - Wellacre student Jack Burgess, Niko Kwiatkowski and Jon Francis with Danny Cipriani and teacher Mark Hodgson.