On Saturday Crusaders U12's welcome the North East Rugby Leagues new kids on the block, Consett Eagles. Coaches Adam and Mark have given their young charges a tough but enjoyable pre season and Crusaders u12s have worked really hard on their skills. They have worked even harder on their fitness as for most it will be the first time playing on a full pitch. Crusaders welcome Consett down to Robertson Road , where both teams will work hard putting all their training into practise and will, undoubtedly dish up a great game. If your free why not pop by to show your support for the start of their season. KO 1100hrs.

On Saturday Crusaders Masters head across the A66 to take part in the Cumbria Masters Festival. The team seems to be boosting numbers in pairs taking our best away numbers yet. We have a fantastic 12 registered Crusaders Masters and we are bolstered by 4 Masters from North East Thunder Masters. This is a festival first for Crusaders, as a team, and it should be a great day. The team will be restricted to 60 minutes of rugby, which will hopefully mean 20 minute games against 3 of the other 10 teams attending. Crusaders Masters would like to thank our shirt sponsors Marstons. We would also like to thank our polo shirt sponsors Burties Hair Design, iSecure Group, Lighthouse Risk Services LLP, eCreative Designs and Top Third. We look forward to looking smart in the polos after our first home game of the season.

Crusaders Master took a trip down to Guiseley on Saturday to take on Guiseley Masters. For the second time running we travelled to a venue where, just when we started to think "it can't be down here" ........ there it was!! Crusaders took great numbers but were also boosted by 2 great gents who normally run out for Birkenshaw, such is the beauty of Masters, as long as you're registered you can get a hit out with anyone! Ok, who knew about the hill but kept it quiet? Yup the Guiseley pitch is on a bit of a slope (cough cough). That, combined with sticky conditions under foot, both teams were glad of the decision to play 4 x 15 minute quarters! The game was played in fantastic spirit with both teams trying to make best use of the ball. Crusaders were certainly made to work for their yardage, especially for the scrum or tap, with some great positioning of Guiseley gold shorters, who could certainly get up quickly for the Touch. There was of course the usual good natured banter and the odd attempt at straying marginally outside of rules but the Spirit of Masters won the day, and it was a great game with Crusaders showing a marked improvement on their last outing. After a skin peeling hot shower (l might be bending the truth) both sides retreated to the Woolpack Inn (no not that one) for a bit of snap and the odd quaffette. Thank you very much to Guiseley for hosting us, we look forward to reciprocating. A great game played by both sides. Congratulations to Chris Mayhew who made his Crusaders Masters debut.

On Saturday 4 members of our U10's team travelled up to Winlaton to take part in the first festival of the year hosted by Gateshead Storm. Lucy, Oscar, Sam and Faith joined forces with Jerry and Joseph from Storm and they also had players from Rockets rotating in, 2 at a time. The "Barbarians" took on Cramlington Rockets over 2 x 15 mins halves. Despite being thrown together that morning all the players worked together and ensured they passed the ball round and got plenty of runs in each. For Crusaders, Faith was absolutely on fire, with jinking runs and some great tries. She also wasn't scared to let her shoulders do the talking with some great tackles. Oscar built his confidence throughout the game. Offloading the ball when in contact but also making good decisions to just take it in. Again he stuck in some tackles and was always there for the assist. Lucy was dependable as ever, and like Oscar built herself into the game. Usually taking the shortest but most defended route, up the middle, she displayed some great footwork to avoid the defenders. Sam certainly started quiet but after a little bit of encouragement he got himself ready for his first touch of the ball. What a first touch it was, he picked a great gap to run at and crashed his way some straggling defenders to score a try! All 4 of our young Crusaders played extremely well, and clearly had lots of fun. Well done boys and girls!

On Saturday Crusaders U8's enjoyed their first festival of the season, hosted by Gateshead Storm. Max Brown, Henry Lowther and Jacob Lawton all made their debuts for the team. All 3 had cracking performances......... well done boys. The first game was against Rockets 1. The team worked well together and listened to their coach throughout. Both Noah Friend and Tom Gerard bagged a try each in this great game. The next game was a close one against Rockets 2. Crusaders put plenty of scores on the sheet with tries from Austin Gee, Oscar Pennington-Foster, Leonard Waikari and Noah Friend, but it was Tom Geldard who stop Rockets putting on the boosters with some amazing tackling. The final game was against Gateshead Storm. Another great game but despite it end to nature Crusaders were restricted to just one try through Noah Button. This game was definitely one about defence and our youngest Crusaders really showed their tackling skills! Well done Crusaders, a great first hit out!

On Saturday the Crusaders U8's and U10's get their season underway with a festival, hosted by Gateshead Storm. Having got back together in February both sides have been having lots of fun building to the season start. All the players are now excited to take that fun up a level and meet some new faces from the clubs from North East Rugby League. For the U8's Max Brown, Jacob Lawton and Henry Lowther all pull on a Crusaders jersey for the first time, go well boys, we're all rooting for you! In the U10's, Lucy Cawthorne, Archie Lee and Oscar Dorrian all play up as True 9's. Again, boys and girls, everyone wishes you the best at your new age group. Go well, go have fun! The festival is due to kick off at Winlaton RUFC at 10:30am on Saturday. All spectators are welcome. Tea's and coffee's are available but the bacon butties won't be as good as ours! Thanks to Storm for getting the season underway.

Saturday 18 March, see's Newcastle Thunder have their first home game of the season after a month on the road in the Betfred Championship. The great news is, there's plenty for Community Players and Parents to do on match day. Two events precede the big kick off. First up is the Junior Thunder launch which starts at 13:30. Attendees will receive a first team poster, a membership card and 10% discount when they purchase from the club shop. At the event they'll be able to take on first team players at games on the Xbox, or at table tennis, Batak or Corn Toss. Running concurrently with Junior Thunder will be the U12 and U14 SPARC festivals starting at 13:00 until 14:30. Again, Thunder players will be in attendance cheering everyone on and passing on a few tips. For the main event itself Thunder would love you to "Wear Your Colours" to celebrate the start of professional Rugby League at Kingston Park for 2023. Thunder would love to see as many fans as possible in Thunder shirts, or their favourite Superleague, International or Community Club shirt. Let's see plenty of Crusaders colours up there! All juniors involved in Junior Thunder or SPARC will also be involved in pre match activity such as Guard of Honour and flags.

On Saturday 04 March, Catterick Crusaders Masters team got the clubs' 2023 playing schedule underway. The team traveled to West Yorkshire to take on Boothtown Terriers. John "Longers" Longden (black shorts) made his debut at hooker and he clearly hadn't lost any skills in his dummy half pass. Also on debut was Romoi "Bas" Baselala (white shorts) who wreaked a fair amount of havoc at Stand Off and then Centre. The game was started in the usual manner with both sides shaking each other's hands and wishing each other a good game. The spirit of Masters continued throughout the game with some lively chat and banter but also some great Rugby League on display. The comedy moment came from mouth of Boothtown and the boot of scrum half Jason "Jase" Grant, when Jase listened to the shout of "5th and last" without looking at the referee. Whilst admiring his own hefty kick Jase soon realised, by the shrieks of laughter from Boothtown that they'd stitched him up and it was only the 4th tackle (in Masters you can only kick on the 5th and last!). The Boothtown loanee who fell over his own feet trying to clear the Crusaders line does come a very close second though! At the end it was the usual joint huddle before taking advantage of some Boothtown hospitality. Catterick Crusaders Masters would like to thank Boothtown Terriers Masters for a very enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to the return leg. Final Score: 0-0 (Masters don't keep score). Crusaders Master of the Match: Jase Boothtown Master of the Match: Chinny Next Game: Saturday 15 April v Guiseley - away

The 2022 season started with a bang for Crusaders as junior training resumed at Robertson Rd on Saturday morning. Prior to our morning of fun, our Social Touch set up had its usual get together on Friday evening with over 30 players in attendance. The first juniors out of the blocks on Saturday were our youngest groups - the Cubs - who enjoyed a great session under the watchful eye Sarah. Next to get going were the U8’s and U10’s who had great fun with coaches Stephen and Christian (U8’s) and Adam who was assisted by potential coach Dan (U10’s). The focus of the session was about fun. There was plenty of passing and catching and movement skills to get everyone going and to settle the nerves of our newbies! 10:30 saw the U12’s, U13’s girls, U14’s and U16’s get going. The U16’s boasting an impressive 20 players at training. Coaches Gavin, Ian and Ben oversaw an energetic session for the lads, who were more than a little bit excited to see each other again! Jase took the fledgling U13 girls team working, in slow time, on their tackle technique. Sean held a joint session for the U12‘s and U14’s, with over 20 players in attendance from those age groups. In all, over 80 juniors attended our opening session of the season which is outstanding. We are looking forward to next weekend already!!

Since the inception of its junior teams Crusaders have always taken pride in providing Lasting Memories for it members. On Sunday 30 October we’ll be able continue that ethos when we provide player escorts and flag bearers for one of the teams at the Tonga versus Cook Islands, Rugby League World Cup clash. Our Primary ages will escort the players, whilst the Junior Ages (12-16) take care of the flag. If you’d like to get involved in the day, Crusaders are recruiting now, for the 2022 season, and would love to hear from you. Just drop us a message.

Fancy trying your skills out in Rugby League? Catterick Crusaders are actively seeking players to join our club. We run activity from the age of 2, to the age of ….. probably should know better! If you have a boy or a girl, under the age of 18 that fancies giving it a go please follow the link below. If you are a man aged 18 or above, that fancies playing (full contact variant only) please also follow the link. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask! https://membership.mygameday.app/regoform.cgi?aID=25795&pKey=b8a4c24a61c37548abe74dbda1f880c1&cID=24

Former Crusaders junior Oliver Redding has recently been looking to secure sponsorship for his 2022 season campaign with Newcastle Thunder U18’s. We are delighted to announce that 3 sponsors have stepped forward to support Oliver on his journey. Kevin Tasker from The Old Sweet Shop Hawes, Stephen Horsley from TSA and an anonymous sponsor have stepped forward. On match days the sponsors will be displayed, on Kingston Parks big screen, as Catterick Crusaders and TSA, should Oliver be selected. Again a massive Crusaders thank you to those supporting Oliver on his journey.