The team will be a direct feeder side to the Celtic Crusaders with the prime objective of producing young Welsh players to play for both Celtic Crusaders and the Welsh national side.

The squad will be made up of the best young players in Wales and they will play their fixtures in the Co-operative Conference National, a league which is two divisions below National League One, where Celtic Crusaders are competing this year, and a division above the Welsh Conference Premier.

Crusaders Colts will face many other sides who like themselves are feeders to professional clubs, with Warrington Wizards, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Featherstone Lions, Dewsbury Celtic and Gateshead Storm all among their opponents this season.

Celtic Crusaders’ chief executive David Thompson said: “As we have always maintained, the future of Celtic Crusaders and the sport of rugby league in Wales lies with young Welsh talent.

“We are delighted that after just two short years, we are in a position to run an academy side in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby League. This is just the first of many building blocks that we are putting in place to ensure that all Welsh youngsters will have access to rugby

league and those that are interested in playing the sport at a higher level will be provided with first class player pathways from school age to full Welsh honours. It is very exciting to think that in the not too distant future, home grown Welsh talent could be appearing on both Super League and international stages.”

Dan Clements, who played rugby league for both Cardiff Demons and Newport Titans, and has been involved in the Welsh international coaching set-up for a number of years, has been appointed as the Academy coach.

Clements said: “We’re delighted at the response we’ve had from players wanting to join the side. Initially players from the Welsh Conference Premier were invited, however as news got around more and more players in Wales have shown an interest, some of whom hadn’t previously played for a rugby league club. The players have been training since September and we now can’t wait for the season to start.”

The demand for places in the side has been so high that a public trial match will take place at the Brewery Field in Bridgend this Wednesday 30th January. Admission for everyone is free and kick-off is at 7.30pm.

The Colts have chosen to play most of their nine home matches as double headers with the full Crusaders side while some will be taken on the road as double headers with Welsh Conference Premier matches.

article by Ian Golden
29 January 2008

2008 Crusaders Colts Co-Operative Conference National Fixtures

All games kick off at 2:30pm unless otherwise specified.

¹ possible double-header with Celtic Crusaders first team (dependent on cup draw)
² double-header with Celtic Crusaders first team
³ probable double header with Welsh Conference Premier match (location TBA)