SCHOOL children have spent the day at Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium this week as part of a programme that uses rugby to teach 11 and 12-year-olds financial skills.

A group of 56 children from Stretford Grammar School took part in ‘Number Cruncherz’ – a scheme recently launched by MBNA and Sale Sharks to help young people learn more about money management.

The programme involves a range of workshops focusing on different aspects of financial education, including income and expenditure, budgeting, needs and wants and money moral dilemmas.

The lessons are then brought to life through rugby-based scenarios such as player transfers fees and season ticket costs, which are taught pitch-side to make the learning more fun and memorable.

Jonny Acheson, Head of Community Operations at Sale Sharks, said: “Number Cruncherz is a fantastic programme that really helps children pick up practical new skills that will help them manage their money better in the future.

"The children from Stretford Grammar School really enjoyed the day with us outside of their usual classroom environment and we’re looking forward to delivering many more sessions in Manchester and beyond in the coming weeks.”

Number Cruncherz was developed by MBNA and Sale Sharks with the help of the UK’s leading financial education charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group). It is expected that more than 15,000 11 and 12-year-olds across the North West and North Wales will benefit from the programme over the next three years.

The Sharks Community Trust – the charity arm of Sale Sharks, will deliver the programme across the regions and any school wishing to take part can email community@salesharks.com for more details on how to get involved.