Crusading Through COVID and Beyond the Pandemic

Aim

Catterick Crusaders do not wish the financial impact of COVID, to become a barrier to participation. We want to make 2021 free to everyone.

Catterick Crusaders - Who We Are. 

Catterick Crusaders are a Community Rugby League Club who have been at the heart of local community sport for over 10 years. Located in the centre of the Catterick Garrison we are fully accessible to anyone wishing to join us.

What We Do

We provide Rugby League and it's variants to anyone that wants to join in from the age of 2 to 102 years old. That might be Multi Skills sessions for the little one through to full contact Rugby League for those wanting it, or Touch Rugby League for those who love the game but don't want the impact.  We encourage participation regardless of gender, age, race, fitness, skills and personal circumstance. We pride ourselves on our welcoming environment where everyone can have fun whilst learning, getting fit and enjoying the game.

"Crusading Through COVID ..."

In 2020, we were blessed with record sign on numbers until the pandemic took hold. We were also set to expand by provided training and playing opportunities for an U12 and U14 girls teams and a Masters (over 35) Men’s team. Those plans needed to be put on hold. We did get back on the training and playing field as soon as restrictions allowed, it tested the very core of the club but it was worthwhile to see the community put their trust in us to create a safe environment for activity to take place. Juniors continued to grow and our Social Touch set up absolutely thrived. 

"..... and Beyond the Pandemic"

Although our expansion plans took a back seat in 2020, we will return with added determination to increase the accessibility of our club in 2021, re-igniting the passion to raise the Girls and Masters teams. We have so much to look forward to with the Rugby League World Cup staging games in our Region and Magic Weekend returning to Newcastle. We have always been heavily involved in such high profile events and pride ourselves on creating lifetime memories for all our members, but especially the juniors, they are the future of the club and the game. The aim of our Crowdfunding campaign is to make 2021 a free season for all, whether you've been at the club for a few years or are a new starter. 

The Impact of COVID

When we welcomed everyone on their return to activity in 2020,  it was very clear the impact the COVID had had on our members. Lots of people were reserved and seemed anxious, their mental wellbeing had taken a hit. It was great to see their mental health and their general health improving as the weeks went by. Also, DL9 is not an affluent area, in fact, it’s a deprived area, and the financial impact of the pandemic has caused extreme financial hardship for almost everyone locally, an impact that may take years to overcome for some families. We, as a committee, had a concern that financial hardship may become the biggest barrier to participation at our club.

Our Aim

If we are successful in our Crowdfunding we will ease this financial barrier. We will be able to waive our Sign Up fee’s that would normally pay for kit, insurances, venue costs, match official fees, post match feeding etc. We will be able to maximise creating lifetime memories for our members, thus enhancing mental wellbeing.

 We will also be able to ensure new coaches and volunteers can undertake their relevant courses, whilst existing ones can undertake CPD. This will lead to sustainability beyond 2021.

Crusaders means so much to so many, we are passionate about coming out of the pandemic as strong as ever having retained all our previous members. Not just because of our traditional club values but because we have gone out of our way to help with the pandemics impact.

Why Are We Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunder and Sport England have teamed up to make £1 million of match funding available to help the sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

We have applied for match funding through this scheme. If we are successful, once we meet our target, Sport England will contribute to our cause.

We have set a target of £8000. So please share our page far and wide on all your social media. Even the smallest of donations is very much welcomed. We need to raise £5400 and if successful Sport England will match that with another £2400. Please pledge now. 

This project successfully funded on 22nd February 2021