Gary’s Lucky 13 with the Celtic Crusaders
By admin
Issued on behalf of Celtic Crusaders Rugby League Club
THE summer can seem a long haul for rugby and football fans, but broadcaster and author Gary Slaymaker has found a means to live through the sporting ‘drought’ by following rugby league side Celtic Crusaders for the S4C series Y Clwb Rygbi 13.
The well-known film columnist will again interview supporters, coaches and players on the touchline at The Brewery Field, Bridgend, this Saturday (AUG 18) as the Crusaders face Keighley in an important league game. But he’ll also be relishing the friendly match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, shown live on Saturday afternoon on S4C, and is relieved the Welsh Premier league football series Y Clwb Pêl-droed (also Saturday night) is returning.
“I’m a big fan of the two winter sports, rugby and football, but I don’t have a lot of time for most summer sports, so the chance to follow rugby league has been somewhat of a godsend for me,” says Gary, 43, originally from Cwmann, near Lampeter, but now a long-time resident of Cardiff.
“The speed and stamina of the game’s players are incredible. I’ve always enjoyed following rugby league on the TV, but I appreciate the skill level and fitness so much more after watching live matches. The atmosphere is brilliant there: the enthusiasm of the fans is incredible, but they’re polite too. They don’t swear like football fans, and we all have something to learn from that,” says Gary, who’s a big fan of Cardiff City Football Club.
Gary believes the Crusaders have a good chance of winning the league and climbing to the First Division of the Co-operative National League by the end of the season.
“They have good players in every position, and the right mix of players from Wales, England and the Southern Hemisphere, a coach in John Dixon who has proven himself with big clubs like the Brisbane Broncos, and they’re hitting a good patch of form at the right time. The play-offs are a definite, but they could even avoid them by winning the title. They could then go on to win Super League status – why not?”
He believes that S4C’s broadcasts, produced by Nant, and presented by Sarra Elgan with commentary provided by Lyn Davies and Brynmor Williams, have helped put the club on the map. “The response from viewers has been brilliant and I believe it has helped attract new people to the Brewery Field to watch live matches. What has also been heartening is that rugby league magazines and websites have been praising the broadcasts.”
He adds “My dream is to see the Crusaders promoted, the Bluebirds in the Premiership, the Welsh rugby union team in the World Cup final – and enough juicy films for me to review.”
