A familiar name amongst North Wales Crusaders supporters will be that of Ralf Roberts, however, long gone are the days of seeing a young Ralf cheering on his Crusaders idols, as he’s now flying down the wing scoring tries for Wales at Under 16’s level.
Photo credit: MKS Photography
When rugby league first moved to Wrexham in the shape of Super League franchise Crusaders RLFC, the sport touched thousands of new fans, regularly filling Wrexham FC’s Racecourse stadium as Brian Nobel lead the side to a play-off finish.
So when the controversy of then joint Wrexham and Crusaders owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts pulling the club’s licence, in turn placing rugby league in North Wales on the brink of existence, hit, the North Wales public stood up to be counted, forming North Wales Crusaders.
For many, this has become so much more than a club. It’s a community, friendships, families, even a break away from the struggles of day-to-day life, and for a young Ralf Roberts, North Wales Crusaders gripped his imagination.
Aged four, Ralf laced up his boots for the first time, joining then Wrexham based junior club, Wrexham Raiders, coached by the late Jacqui Walker - another name familiar with the Crusaders faithful and beyond!
Just two years later, Ralf collected his first individual accolade in the form of ‘best mini-player’, picking up the trophy in Colwyn Bay.
With the commitment of his family, Ralf’s journey prospered from it’s North Wales routes, seeing him turn out for established amateur clubs in the form of West Bank Bears, Moorfield and Halton Farnworth Hornets.
Ralf’s talent and love for the game has continued to grow, and has this season seen him signed to the Warrington Wolves’ scholarship program in addition to earning an international call up for Wales at Under 16’s level.
Ralf made his international debut on the first of this month when he took to the field in Dublin, scoring a brace against Ireland to continue an incredible rugby league journey which was born from North Wales Crusaders.
North Wales Crusaders are next in action on Sunday 16th June when we host Workington Town at Stadiwm CSM, Colwyn Bay. Early bird tickets are on sale now, costing just £10 adults and free for under 16's. You can secure yours by clicking HERE.
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