Crusaders Masters are delighted that 4 Aces Ltd have agreed to become one of our back of garment sponsors for the 2025 season, on our off field and training gear. Their support will help with the teams branding and sense of belonging. https://4acesltd.com/

Today (30 Nov), Toby George Clarke and Simon Priestley attended the Rugby League Match Officials course at Kingston Park. Si took advantage of the Lead the Game project run by Newcastle Rugby Foundation and supported by the Veterans Foundation. Toby George took advantage of our clubs offer to pay for anyone wishing to do the course. Both Si and TG will now be able to support the club in the 2025 season providing us with Match Officials for the junior teams. Well done gents. Looking forward to seeing you flash those cards!

Ever thought you’d like to be passing on your knowledge of Rugby League to others? Well here is an opportunity! In the New Year the RFL will be holding a Level 2 Rugby League coaching course at Kingston Park , Newcastle. For all details including timings, dates and cost please follow the booking link below. Are you a Crusaders parent/member? Well good news, we have funding for you to take this course. All we ask is a return on investment with your time to coach our wonderful juniors. For further information please contact us.

Catterick Crusaders Masters are delighted to announce JDN First Aid Trainer have agreed to also become back of garment sponsors for our 2025 training and off field wear. Our Masters side prides itself on having no financial burden on the thriving juniors set up, at the club, but is also mindful of making it financially viable for its players. The sponsorship from JDN First Aid Trainer will go towards training and off field apparel for the team which will increase our branding and sense of belonging. JDN First Aid Trainer provide accredited and regulated First Aid Course in Co Durham. Emergency First Air, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, CPR and AED courses. https://www.facebook.com/share/12GuozpwUbE/?mibextid=LQQJ4d If your company is interested in sponsoring Crusaders Masters, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Catterick Crusaders Masters are delighted to announce leading Water Cooler company AA First have agreed to become one of our back of garment sponsors for the 2025 season. Our Masters side prides itself on having no financial burden on the thriving juniors set up, at the club, but is also mindful of making it financially viable for its players. The sponsorship from AA First will go towards training and off field apparel for the team which will increase our branding and sense of belonging. For all your Water Cooler needs please take a look at AA First’s leading products. https://www.aafirst.co.uk/

Catterick Crusaders Masters have now enjoyed 2 enjoyable seasons of regular fixtures. The team is for men over 35 and is a limited contact variation of Rugby League. The team caters for almost everyone and has players from 35 to well into their 60’s and has regular guest players in their 70’s. Our team has players with anxiety, depression, PTSD, neurological conditions and physically limiting conditions as well as those that “do well for me age!” We consider ourselves all encompassing and when we get together it is a laugh from when we get together until we leave. In 2025 the team intends to take things up a level with regular training and social events. The team prides itself on being self sustaining and a not having a negative financial impact on our fantastic junior sides. This is where you could help. With our increase in activity and exposure to a wider audience, next year, we are looking for sponsors for our training and off field apparel. Sponsorship would be £150 which will see any sponsor have their logo placed on the back of our garments. Sponsors will also be mentioned in all pre and post match website blogs, as we do with our existing sponsors. Sponsors will also have a designated game where they will be named as the Master of the Match sponsor. If you can help with sponsorship then please contact crusaders_chairman@outlook.com or message the website. Thank you very much for reading on!

Although the more traditional elements of the game have stopped for the off season, our Touch Rugby still continues. So why not brave the weather, get your kit on and chuck a ball about at these fun sessions? Sessions take place on a Friday evening at 6:30pm at the superb Wavell Rd 4G pitches. All standards and levels of fitness are welcome. Come and join us, and earn that take away, or even better, join the others at The Hildyard Arms afterwards for a drink!

There was confirmation, to the rumours, earlier this week that Magic Weekend will return to St James Park, Newcastle, in 2025. All 12 Superleague clubs will converge on St James Park over the Bank Holiday weekend of 3rd and 4th May. St James Park has been a long standing fans favourite venue for the event and after a year at Elland Rd, this year, fans are happy to see it return to the Toon. Crusaders will soon be releasing ticket details for club members who wish to attend and it’s hoped there will be plenty of us there representing the club. At previous Magic Weekends the club has had our Primary Rugby League teams playing on the pitch, club flag holders, ball operatives and team mascots. Keep your eyes open for what we’ll get up to this time!

Crusaders would like to pass on their congratulations to Hope Throw who has recently signed terms with Featherstone Rovers U19’s Ladies team. Hope’s first experience of Rugby League was at Durham Tigers under the tutorage of Scott Quinn. Unfortunately the team folded and Hope focussed on Rugby Union whilst remaining in contact with Rugby League by attending weekly Touch Rugby League sessions at Catterick Crusaders. She played an influential part in the Crusaders side that won the inaugural Weston Beach Tag Festival (mixed team). At the weekly sessions, Hope honed her skills and regularly picked up the Player of the Week or Grafter of the Week Awards. Whilst at Crusaders, Hope followed a suggestion from Jason Grant that she should attend a trial for York Valkyrie U18’s. Hope was indeed selected for the Valk’s. Since that point she has also turn out for Newcastle Thunder Ladies and Castleford Tigers Ladies, whilst always being mindful not to burn her bridges. Hope is proof that you can achieve your goals whilst remaining loyal to your club, as long as you work hard and take your opportunities. Well done Hope. We’ll be following this part of journey too.

Tomorrow, Jason Grant, Ian McKechnie and Darren Cunnington, along with North East Thunder Masters player, Dennis Nowell, will play in the annnual Veterans v Veterans match at Rochdale Mayfield. The annual fixture continues to go from strength to strength, with over 50 veterans turning out tomorrow, making up 3 teams for a round robin format. Although this fixture puts the final seal on the season for our players, planning for 2025 is well underway, with some fixtures already in the calendar. If you are interested in getting involved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the website.

Yesterday (27 Oct) Crusaders Masters closed rugby at the club for 2024. The Masters team took on North East Thunder Masters on the college pitch at Gateshead International Stadium. Crusaders were boosted by Geoff and Kev from Carlisle Masters, which afforded the team a sub. North East Thunder boosted their numbers with players from Arlecdon, Maryport and Scottish based players who wished to give Masters a go. The purpose for the fixture was to introduce Masters to the Scottish based players with the aim of raising teams north of the border. The game was very enjoyable and played in excellent spirit. The Scottish players soon picked up the game and a great contest ensued. For the second game in a row, gold shorter, Paul “Snake Hips” Goad, proved more than a speedy handful for the defence. Paul “could get injured yawning” Clarke made his only appearance of the year, but put in a great stint at fullback, shutting down a number line breaks. Mark Throw was another player returning to the fold after a long absence, and definitely made his presence felt. We won’t talk about the occasional forward pass that thwarted a few tries, but we might mention Ben “Forest Gump” Smith who got a little excited and ran the ball clear off the pitch when trying to evade the opposition! When asked what he was doing, he simply replied, “just felt like running!” Despite those minor indiscretions Crusaders played some really good Rugby League. For a team that doesn’t train there are some great combinations coming together, and those combinations led to some great tries. The game was brilliantly controlled by referee Luke Naylor throughout. It was also great to have Tony and Peter from the Masters steering group in attendance also. Post match was taken inside the stadium, thank you to Richie Metcalfe for sorting us a room for refreshment and the free tickets to the Ireland v Scotland match, it was very much appreciated. Crusaders Masters will be upping their game in 2025 with regular training and some new off field gear. We also have a little jaunt planned for late February so keep watching our channels for more details in the New Year! As ever, Crusaders Masters would like to thank our kit sponsors Marstons. We would also like to thank our polo sponsors eCreative Designs, Burties Hair Design, Top Third, iSecure Group and Light Risk Management.

Round 2 Cup Games: Catterick U12s Electrify at Consett! The Catterick U12s were up before dawn, embarking on an exhilarating journey to Consett. With the sun finally breaking through, the stage was set for an unforgettable day of rugby. Fielding an impressive squad, including debutants Jemesa and Tobyn, Catterick was ready to dominate. Match 1: Catterick vs. Gateshead Storm The first clash was a thrilling rematch against Gateshead Storm, their adversaries from last season's nail-biting U12s plate final. Oliver wasted no time, charging in for the opening try. Catterick’s defense was impenetrable, their lightning-fast line speed leaving Gateshead in the dust. Steeno followed up with a spectacular try, and Charlie added two more in the right corner, showing off his unstoppable speed. Gateshead managed to break through once, but Catterick was relentless. Iyzaak bulldozed his way to a try, and Charlie, spotting another gap, dashed in for another. Despite Gateshead’s second try, Catterick wasn’t done. In the final moments, brilliant ball movement set up Steeno for the closing try. Final Score: Catterick 7 - Gateshead Storm 2 Match 2: Catterick vs. Yarm Next up was Yarm, and Catterick showcased their depth by rotating almost the entire team, giving the U11s their time to shine. Oliver once again led the charge with a powerful run through Yarm’s defense. The young Catterick squad held firm in defense, turning the ball over and allowing Iyzaak to storm in for another try against his friends. Yarm crossed the try line, but Iyzaak quickly responded with another electrifying run. Archie, exploiting the wing, sprinted in for his first try of the day. Catterick’s defense was stellar, shutting down Yarm’s advances at every turn. Debutant Tobyn thrilled the crowd with a brilliant run, scoring in the right corner. Moses, with fantastic support from Callum, added two more tries to the tally. Yarm managed a late try, but Iyzaak ensured Catterick had the final say, finishing the game with a decisive try. Final Score: Catterick 8 - Yarm 3 The U11s demonstrated remarkable determination and skill, impressing with their drift defense, line speed, and powerful tackles. It was a day of triumph and teamwork for Catterick, leaving their mark on the league season! Crusaders U12’s would like to thank sponsors, Delaval, Amara Bluegrass Co, Michael George gents hair salon. Match report courtesy of Jamie