Crusaders set to defend their Championship crown in 2024

North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League would like to update all of their fans and wider members of the Wheelchair Rugby League community on it’s participation in the Championship West competition in 2024.

After much deliberation by the clubs board of trustees, it was decided that the club would defend their Championship crown for the 2024 campaign.

Though the club has aspirations to re-establish themselves in the ‘Elite’/ Super League structure. The decision was made that the team should defend their Championship crown and the 2024 campaign allows this.

Following attendance of the RFL’s Competition Meeting last week, the club were informed that the Championship league structure is to be divided up into regions by the RFL. The club were informed that they would participate in the ‘West’ regional championship along with: Rochdale Hornets, Hereford Harriers, former Super League side Warrington Wolves and the newly rebranded Widnes Vikings (formerly Mersey Storm).

At last weeks meeting it was unveiled that the top side from each regional competition will enter a play-off along with a fourth team following a play-off between the runners-up of the West and East competitions.

Chairperson, Stephen Jones said the following:

“We would like the firstly thank the RFL for respecting the clubs decision to play in the Championship structure for the upcoming season”.

“We had an extremely successful 2023 season both on and off the pitch/ court and wish to continue this success going forward”.

“We have the ethos of developing our players and this would enable us to give some of our lesser experienced players the chance to play against some of our international and more experienced players”.

“The club are extremely excited for the 2024 season and are looking forward to getting back out there and showcasing the talent of our players”.

The club have also recently confirmed their intension to participate in the Wales Rugby League competition again in 2024, and are awaiting a decision by the WRL board on their participation in the competition.

The club would also like to announce their intention to compete in the Challenge Trophy in 2024. This will be the first time the Crusaders will be entering the competition since reaching its final back in 2018.

Fixture news will be made in the near future.