Crusaders Recognised In BBC Wales Award
By admin
Issued on behalf of Celtic Crusaders Rugby League Club
The great progress of Welsh rugby league trailblazers Celtic Crusaders was recognised last night when they were nominated for the BBC Wales Sports Team of the Year.
The nomination, part of the BBC Welsh Sports Personality of the Year Awards which was televised live on BBC Wales, came after the Crusaders won rugby league’s Division Two title this year in only their second season.
The BBC Wales Sports Team of the Year award was eventually won by The New Saints, treble winners in Welsh domestic football in 2007. But Crusaders’ chief executive David Thompson said it was great to get such mainstream recognition – not only of the club’s achievements but also of the impact rugby league is making in Wales.
“It’s been a magnificent season for us and this accolade shows what tremendous progress the Crusaders have made both on and off the field.
“We’ve seen interest among fans, the media and the business community across Wales snowball this year. Having won promotion, we’ve been working hard in the closed season to make sure the Celtic Crusaders and rugby league are more prominent than ever on the Welsh sporting map in 2008.
“We now have the sort of set-up in place to mount a serious and sustained challenge next season to take us where our ambitions ultimately lie.”
David Thompson added, “Rugby League has such tremendous potential in Wales. Putting the Crusaders alongside teams from the sports traditionally popular here, like rugby union and football, shows we’re quickly winning the public over.”
