Member Article

Sale Sharks’ school programme in line for national award

A Sale Sharks-led project that gives schoolchildren in the North West and North Wales access to free financial education has been shortlisted for a major national award.

‘MBNA Number Cruncherz’, which uses rugby-themed activities to teach children better money management skills, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme’ category at the 2016 Card and Payments Awards.

Now in its third year, the programme has helped more than 8,000 children across the region develop a greater understanding of financial literacy, and secured a silver award at the coveted 2015 International CSR Excellence Awards earlier this year.

“We’re over the moon to see MBNA Number Cruncherz shortlisted for another major industry award,” said Jonny Acheson, Sale Sharks’ Community Trust Manager. “The Card and Payments Awards recognise excellence and innovation across the UK and Ireland so making the shortlist is a fantastic achievement.

“What’s been key to the success of this programme is the collaborative approach we’ve taken with MBNA to really make a positive difference in our local communities. Using MBNA’s financial expertise and adding the excitement of rugby through Sale Sharks, we’ve been able to create and deliver an education programme through our community coaches that’s fun, engaging and memorable, helping thousands of children across the North West and North Wales.”

MBNA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mark Elliott, added: “The Card and Payments Awards represent outstanding achievement in our industry so we’re delighted to see MBNA Number Cruncherz make the shortlist in the best CSR category. Through this programme we’ve always aimed to make money management easier for young people and it’s really pleasing to see that our industry peers recognise what we’ve achieved so far.”

Provided entirely free to schools, MBNA Number Cruncherz was created by Manchester-based Premiership Rugby team Sale Sharks, its principal partners and club sponsors MBNA, based in Chester, and UK charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group).

Aimed at 11 and 12-year olds (Year 7 children), participating schools take part in a series of sessions focused on income and expenditure; balancing needs and wants and budgeting with the help of Sale Sharks’ Community Coaches. The sessions, tied closely to the national curriculum, use rugby-themed examples to bring the programme to life and also include some touch rugby training to introduce the sport to more children.

MBNA Number Cruncherz is free for schools in the North West and North Wales to join and anyone wanting to get involved or more information should contact community@salesharks.com or call 0161 667 7518.

For more information about the Card and Payments Awards, visit: http://www.cardandpaymentsawards.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Number Cruncherz .