NORTH WALES CRUSADERS are ready to head south and play some matches in Bridgend next year, when the town, which is equidistant between Cardiff and Swansea, will become central to their future plans.
The club that has since 2021 played at the 6,000-capacity Stadiwm Eirias in Colwyn Bay, is to buy a stake in the Electric Brewery Field Stadium, which is home to rugby union side Bridgend Ravens and has a capacity of around 8,000.
Soon to be known as Wales Crusaders, the team, which was formed in late 2011 and was originally based in Wrexham, had already announced an intention to create a country-wide development pathway and start a second team based in South Wales.
They want to link into the Wales Rugby League Under-19 programme and provide extra opportunities for career progression.
It’s all part of the current ownership group’s plans to ensure a sustainable future after they rescued Crusaders from the May insolvency event which threatened their existence. They also want to grow the game in Wales.
There is a history of professional Rugby League being played in Bridgend, first through Bridgend Blue Dragons (previously Cardiff City Blue Dragons), who featured in 1984-85 using the old Coychurch Road non-league football ground.
And as well as staging a number of Wales internationals, Brewery Field hosted the Celtic Crusaders club between their formation in 2005 and 2009 (a Super League campaign) after which they switched to Wrexham and dropped Celtic from their name.
The disbanding of that club in 2011 was followed by the formation of North Wales Crusaders.
Bridgend Ravens play in Super Rygbi Cymru, which is the top division of domestic rugby union in Wales.
Chairman Tony Williams said: “This is a monumental agreement for the town of Bridgend, local businesses and the wider community.”