Latest news with #CruCast
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
North Wales Crusaders' coach is excited about the future
First team head coach Forster is to assume overall coaching responsibility for the player development pathways at the Colwyn Bay-based club, assisted by head of rugby Darren Morson. At the heart of the mission is the provision of a player pathway to the first-team alongside the establishment of a competitive women's team. Speaking about his additional responsibilities, Forster told CruCast: 'I'm just going to lead-up the programmes for the reserves, the under-18s trials, development squads and the women's team. 'So, obviously, there's a lot to do, but it's mainly me putting plans in place for them to succeed. 'So, the reserves need to be more stream-lined, it needs to be more in line with the first team. It needs to be more accessible for those players that are wanting to step up and, obviously, I've got to give them the platform to do that. 'So, we've got a good base right now, but there's a lot of work to do in terms of, obviously, pitches, participation numbers, fixtures. 'It just needs to be a bit more of a consistent programme. So, I'm going to get a reserves' head coach in. 'I'll ultimately get a women's head coach in eventually. That will be more looking towards, obviously, trying to get a women's team set up for next season and I think we've got about 40 applicants for an 18s' development squad, who will be trialling in the next month. 'So, probably bring a couple of additional development coaches in for that as well. So, it's more me overseeing things, putting structures and programmes in place for, obviously, then coaches to succeed and then once we're set up, that's the hard work done. 'But, obviously, just managing and overseeing things and making sure from the first team filtered right down to the 18s and the women's side, that we're all on the same programme. We're all doing the same thing as, obviously, North Wales Crusaders.' Following on from last week's 20-6 success over Dewsbury - when Pat Ah Van, Lloyd Roby, Olly Davies and Sam Wilde shared the tries - North Wales will sit out Sunday's action. Swinton will move to within two points of the front-runners if they triumph at Dewsbury. Goole and Whitehaven entertain Keighley and Workington respectively, while Rochdale visit Newcastle.
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Things continue to look positive for North Wales Crusaders
Carl Forster's charges are favourites for the League One title this season and ahead of Sunday's home clash with Dewsbury Rams, Crusaders find themselves three points clear of the chasing pack. A run of just one defeat in 11 matches so far this season has been achieved without an experienced pair of players - but they are soon expected to be back in the ranks. Head coach Forster told CruCast: 'Jake Spedding has joined back in training. I think we're hoping to see Jake in, probably, the next three of four weeks. So, we're slowly getting back up there.' Another player back out on the training pitch is Welsh international Ben Evans and Forster is delighted to see the pair returning to fitness. 'It's easily forgotten when you're winning games and you're flying high at the top with the actual personnel that we've been missing this year,' added Forster. 'So, to welcome them back at a crucial time of the year I think, obviously, speaks volumes for what we've done already this year. 'But, obviously, moving forward it's some big, experienced boys to come back in.' In further good news from the North Wales camp, the club has confirmed a new deal for Joe Baldwin, who will extend his stay with the Crusaders until the end of the 2027 season. Having played at Orrell St James during his junior career, Baldwin was signed by Super League outfit Wigan Warriors in 2019. He was able to gain plenty of valuable experience at the club before he made the move to Crusaders in 2024. Baldwin became a key figure towards the back end of last season, picking up the young player of the year accolade at the club's end of season awards. On his new deal, Baldwin told the club's website: 'I'm buzzing to have signed another two years here. 'The coaching staff and lads are quality, and my game has developed loads in my past two years at this great club. 'Now I'm excited to see what the next two years bring both for my personal career and Crusaders in general to see how far the club can go.' Forster added: 'Joe is a brilliant young player and you can see the development in his game year on year.' With seven games left, Crusaders know that five wins will be sufficient to give them the League One crown. North Wales are three points ahead of Midlands Hurricanes, with third-placed Swinton Lions a further point back. Midlands are heading to Workington Town on Sunday, while Swinton will be favourites at home to basement side Newcastle Thunder. In further action, Whitehaven make the trip to Goole Vikings.
Leader Live
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Carl admits to nerves when he watches North Wales Crusaders
Forster never suffered from nerves during a successful playing career, but he tends to be plagued by them in his coaching seat! Preparing for Sunday's big top-of-the-table showdown at home to Workington Town, Forster told CruCast: 'In terms of the pressure I feel, I feel like I'm getting better. 'I do get very nervous not playing. I was never nervous as a player, I think just because you feel like you can do something about the outcome. 'But, kind of, when you get to a game day, it's pretty much all on the lads and everything is kind of took out of your hands. 'So, that's why I do get nervous, but I don't know why I'm nervous, because the boys keep delivering and I am kind of trying to become a little bit more relaxed leading up to the game and just enjoying it more.' Crusaders will maintain their healthy three-point advantage at the top of the League One standings if they can secure a 10th triumph of the campaign on Sunday.
Leader Live
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Coach Carl thrilled as key duo stay at North Wales Crusaders
Wilde (pictured) and Eaves, integral parts of Crusaders' push towards this season's League One title, have both agreed to pen new two-year deals with the club. Reflecting on the positive developments, head coach Forster told CruCast: 'Massive. For me, obviously I'm always going to back my lads and back the players, but I think Eavo's the best nine in the comp. 'I think he's just come in and added a total new dynamic to how we want to play. I'd go as far as saying we're very lucky to have a Sam Wilde in our division, never mind our team.' Eaves is a product of the St Helens academy system and he also has Super League appearances to his name. His loan to Whitehaven was followed by moves to Newcastle and Swinton respectively, before he opted to link up with the Crusaders this season. Having never dropped below the Championship before this season, Eaves has played a pivotal role in North Wales' rise to the top of League One. Wilde's arrival in North Wales during the off-season certainly turned a few heads and the 29-year-old former Warrington and Widnes second-rower has been one of many standout performers.
Leader Live
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Forster so pleased with North Wales Crusaders' defence
Crusaders fell behind during their huge home clash in League One, but they successfully turned things around to record a notable 14-4 triumph at Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM. Not for the first time this season, league leaders Cru managed to shut-out their opponents during one half and this left head coach Forster extremely pleased. He told CruCast: "I thought for grit and determination, it was our best defensive display of the year. "I think we could have been a lot better in the first half with our hit-and-stick and we were over-chasing on edges, just going past the ball and they kept trying to get us back on the inside. "To be fair, we spoke about that at half-time and I thought the way the boys rectified it in the second half was outstanding. "Apart from the actual try they did score... I don't think Midlands looked like scoring and to do that against second in the league, just, you know, speaks volumes just of our lads turning up for each other and defending for each other." North Wales now have to play the waiting game prior to their return to action. This will be on July 6 when Crusaders play host to Workington.
