Growing the game in North Wales

[fearnowt]

North Wales Crusaders have announced an exciting strategic development plan with Wales Rugby League.

This new, innovative partnership with the Wrexham-based club will see a jointly funded part time community coach help grow rugby league in North Wales, as well as build brand awareness and fan engagement for Crusaders as part of their return for investment plan with the Rugby Football League.

There is already the support of two community clubs in North Wales. Flintshire Falcons are making a welcome return to the WRL community fold in 2021, while a new community side in Wrexham is also being formed. They will both run women's and men's open age teams, as well as boys' and girls' teams. The Wrexham community club will play in the same colours as North Wales and adopt the club badge. It is also hoped that new clubs will follow in Rhyl, Conwy and Bethesda.

Full story on the link http://northwalescrusaders.com/news/growing-the-game-in-north-wales/

 

Other announcements include season tickets on sale for 2021 and news of a magnificent fundraising effort for a local hospice (special mention for Rob Massam who raised more than £4,500 by completing 1,500 consecutive burpees!) http://northwalescrusaders.com/news/challenges-give-nightingale-house-a-big-boost/

With all the talk about losing central funding and the disruption caused by the pandemic, it is great to hear the optimism coming from the club.

[DoubleD]

Good to hear. I remember there used to be a team in Rhyl a number of years ago i believe. 

The following paragraph was particularly interesting, it looks like Salford are very much looking to capture the Welsh pathways

A clear player pathway will be created from the community to semi-professional game at Crusaders and then to Salford Red Devils in Super League. A series of festivals and 9s competitions are planned as curtain raisers at North Wales’ home games.

[moorside roughyed]

Always nice to read that some positive things are happening in North Wales. We could use some positivity at the moment. 

[fearnowt]

Copied from the club website. Nice to see some co-operation with Wrexham RUFC.

 

As part of the strategic development partnership between North Wales Crusaders and Wales Rugby League (WRL), Crusaders Reserves have relaunched as a WRL community club to be known as Wrexham Crusaders ARLFC.

This rebrand is essential to interact with the local community in the Wrexham area and provide accessible rugby league for everyone.

Wrexham Crusaders ARLFC will offer rugby league for women and men, plus junior age groups for both boys and girls, bringing the sport to a wider player base.

The WRL community club will be part of North Wales Crusaders’ family and join the new North Wales rugby league structure alongside the likes of Flintshire Falcons, with a number of further announcements expected in the near future.

http://northwalescrusaders.com/news/crusaders-reserves-rebrands-as-new-community-club-in-wrexham/

[JM2010]

Are the new North Wales clubs playing in the Welsh League or NW counties?

[fighting irish]

I love these growth initiatives, which seem to be springing up all over the place.

It feels like an awakening to me.

A realisation that everything we need can be provided by a strong, widespread and popular community game.

Perhaps the success of Newcastle is finally breaking through into the consciousness of the other areas.

I have such a good feeling about the game's future, with stories of enthusiasts the world over, entering our game determined to embed it in their local communities and grow from there.

The scope for Emerging Nations to enter into meaningful International competition is growing each year.

I just wonder what the world cup will look like in 20 years time? A fascinating daydream for RL fans like me. 

[Cumbrian Mackem]

2 minutes ago, fighting irish said:

I love these growth initiatives, which seem to be springing up all over the place.

It feels like an awakening to me.

A realisation that everything we need can be provided by a strong, widespread and popular community game.

Perhaps the success of Newcastle is finally breaking through into the consciousness of the other areas.

I have such a good feeling about the game's future, with stories of enthusiasts the world over, entering our game determined to embed it in their local communities and grow from there.

The scope for Emerging Nations to enter into meaningful International competition is growing each year.

I just wonder what the world cup will look like in 20 years time? A fascinating daydream for RL fans like me. 

This. It seems to be a daily occurrence now with stories of new clubs springing up everywhere from the north east to the West Midlands and even in places like Central America, South America and Canada etc.

Long may it continue

[welshmagpie]

6 hours ago, JM2010 said:

Are the new North Wales clubs playing in the Welsh League or NW counties?

The aim is to relaunch a north Wales league this year 

[RayCee]

My dad is from North Wales, Bagillt actually. He said he remembers RL being played in the North Wales area when he was young. That would have been just prior to or just after WW II. Nice to see it returning,