Three of The Manchester Grammar School’s most promising rugby players have been selected for the Sale Sharks Under-18 Academy side this year.
Charlie Pozniak, 18, and Abdul Khan, 17, both from Didsbury, and Sol Neild, 18, who lives in Hale, have been selected for the squad.
And Charlie has been given the additional honour by being named captain, and led the team for the first time as the Sharks faced the Newcastle Falcons this past weekend, winning 36-15, with all three boys MGS involved.
Charlie and Sol have been involved with Sale Sharks for the past four years, and have played in a number of positions throughout their time at MGS, helping not only with their skill development but also with their game understanding and game management.
Abdul was added to the Sharks squad last year after impressing for the MGS first XV.
Charlie said: “It’s extremely humbling to be appointed as a leader of anything, and a rugby team is no different.
“To be able to captain a group of such talented athletes is an honour, and to have the opportunity to play in one of the most challenging leagues in the country is something that I will relish.
“Playing at Sale has been pivotal to my development as a player, and leading them out onto the pitch on Saturday was a truly memorable experience.
“Sport is so brilliant due to the emotional highs and lows that it gives us, and whilst I have had a few low points in my short career so far, this is definitely one of the highs.”
Inspiration
Sol’s older brother Cameron Neild also attended MGS between 2006 and 2013, and joined the Sharks Academy set-up straight from MGS.
He was recently signed a new four year-deal at the club and was named joint Young Player of the Season.
Charlie added: “When you see people like Cam driving the first XV on, it’s a big inspiration for myself and the other younger lads.
“We are looking up to the likes of Cam and it’s great to see the First XV doing so well, so hopefully that can be another inspiration for us.”
Steve Swindells, Director of Rugby at MGS, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for MGS to have three players involved within the Sale Sharks Academy squad, and it shows that the development pathway we drive here really works.
“All three have worked incredibly hard to achieve this honour, both on and off the field, and I’m confident they can all represent themselves and the School fantastically well throughout the tough Academy fixture programme.
“We are very lucky to have a talented group of players that are committed and push themselves to try to achieve success. Charlie, Solomon and Abdul have been the backbone of that side and have driven others on to improve and develop.”
