Myprotein strikes rugby nutrition deal to 'feed the sharks'
The firm, based in Cheshire, will work with team nutritionists and coaching staff to provide the first team squad that include England players Denny Solomona and Tom Curry with its range of products and supplements.
“This partnership brings together two huge brands from the North West region and it comes at a great time for us with pre-season training just getting underway,” said Ex-England and Sale Sharks winger Mark Cueto, who is now the club's commercial director.
"As a player, Myprotein was a nutrition brand I used and held in very high regard so it's fantastic to be officially bringing them into the Sharks family.
Member of the Hut Group stable
Myprotein, acquired by The Hut Group back in June 2011, produces a range of supplements, protein powders and bars, vitamins and snacks.
Along with Sale sharks, Myprotein are also official sports nutrition suppliers to St Helens and Warrington Wolves rugby league clubs.
Speaking to the club’s website, Tom Whitehead, Sale Shark’s performance nutritionist gave an insight into the nutritional requirements of playing professional rugby during training, match day and recovery.
“It depends on the individual player,” he said. “Those who have a good knowledge of what their bodies require on a day-to-day basis have more freedom.”
He added that he encouraged players to get all their macro and micronutrients from eating a well-balanced diet first, and then top this up with supplementation if needed — for example, if the nutrient cannot be sourced from food.
Citing whey protein, creatine, beta alanine, vitamin D3 and omega-3 supplements that the Sharks players like to use, Whitehead added that, “those supplements that we do use with the players need to have adequate research supporting their use”.
Prey beware; @salesharks are about to be fuelled like never before!@MyproteinUK have joined the #SharksFamily
— Sale Sharks (@SaleSharksRugby) July 5, 2018
For the full interview and insight into pre-season training, click the below: https://t.co/OX082dlReh#FuelYourAmbition#FeedTheSharks#GetTough#MyProteinpic.twitter.com/fJo9IWUZtc
Highly recommended
Asked why Myprotein was the club's preferred sports nutrition provider, Whitehead said, “Myprotein are a highly reputable sports nutrition company — with some of our current players’ personal recommendations behind them.
“They’re able to offer a vast, high-quality range of products, that’re already Informed-Sport approved, for the specific needs of our players.
“They have an excellent reputation as a supplement supplier and are based locally to us, so it made perfect sense to seize this opportunity when it came about.”
Rugby and sports nutrition have enjoyed a prosperous relationship over the last decade or so as knowledge of optimum ways to fuel recovery and performance become ever advanced.
Pro Athlete Supplementation (PAS) extended its deal with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) last month shaking hands on a new deal to continue supplying nutritional support to the national team.
The Wales-based sports nutrition firm were also recognised as an official supplier to the British & Irish Lions in 2017.
Earlier this year, BetterYou partnered with Leeds Rhinos rugby league club, supplying the UK's Super League Champions with its range of transdermal magnesium and oral vitamin spray supplements.
Prey beware; #TheSharks are about to be fuelled like never before.
— Myprotein UK & IE (@MyproteinUK) July 5, 2018
Welcome to #TeamMyprotein@SaleSharksRugby#Myprotein#FuelYourAmbition#FeedTheSharks#GetToughpic.twitter.com/rYtN4iPOFB
‘A perfect partnership’
In collaborating with Sale Sharks, a spokesperson from Myprotein at The Hut Group, said, "We're delighted to have confirmed a new partnership with Sale Sharks, reinforcing our commitment to sport in the UK and strengthening our ties with top-level rugby clubs in our local community.
“As the North West's only Premiership Rugby side, Sale Sharks has appeal right across the region with a squad full of world-class international players at the very top of their game.
“Performance is at the heart of everything we do at Myprotein and I know the club shares the same ethos as us, working closely with the squad and individual players to ensure every aspect of their nutrition, recovery and wellbeing is looked after.
“It's a perfect partnership and we're confident we can help fuel the club's success this season, from the training ground right through to the pitch during each and every match."
