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Fitness First with Sale Sharks - week four

16/ 7/2008

WEEK four of our exclusive column with Sale Sharks' head of athletic performance, Steve Walsh ...

STEVE Walsh and his Sharks squad are still feeling the effects after completing the Christie Hospital charity bike ride from Manchester to Blackpool on Sunday.

While the 65-mile cycle route was a challenge in many ways, it also helped to raise awareness of the outstanding work done by the Christie, which specialises in cancer care.

"We started at Carrington at eight o’clock in the morning and then cycled to Albert Square for the start of the charity bike ride, so we did 10 miles more than everybody else anyway.

I don’t think the lads will forget it any time soon. They all finished the ride, Brent Cockbain was the first player past the post with a great time, he must have been saving himself for this or he just doesn’t like cycling with the lads! We have no real injuries to report, apart from 40 very sore backsides!

The event was well organised by Bike Events and Christie’s really looked after us at the end of the ride.

My mum spent a lot of time being treated at the Christie, which is a well-known hospital and almost everyone knows someone who has been there for treatment. The more money that can be raised the better.

By taking part we’ve helped a good cause and the boys have been challenged mentally as well as physically.

They are not necessarily going to get fitter by doing it but they will be mentally stronger. And they may never cycle 65 miles again in their life so whichever way you look at it it’s a personal achievement.

Compare that with the attitude displayed by Ronaldo who last week agreed with FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s view that he was being treated like a ‘slave’ by Manchester United!

What was said about Ronaldo being a slave is derogatory to people who really are in that position.

Ronaldo and other soccer players who think like him need to get over themselves and get in touch with reality. They are not living in the real world.

Maybe they need to train with us for a week, you don’t see any prima donnas here and you don’t see many high-rolling footballers doing a bike ride to Blackpool - they probably wouldn’t be able to get a cushion soft enough for their bike seat!

Rugby has evolved into a professional sport, we always need to remind players how lucky we are to earn a living from being involved in a game that we love.

Anyway back to the real stuff, for anyone wanting to do something worthwhile in their life I can strongly recommend the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride. It was a truly memorable and worthwhile experience.

As for the Sharks, maybe next year we’ll do the Three Peaks..."

THE opinions expressed in this column are those of Steve Walsh and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper or its editor.