North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League have become the first Rugby League club and only the tenth recipient of the insport Gold Award.

Founded in 2013, the Crusaders have been at the forefront of disability Rugby League in Wales since their inception. Following the success of their multiple Wheelchair sides, this has resulted in a large number of players receiving international call-ups for Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The Crusaders are one of only four clubs in North Wales, one of only ten clubs of any kind in Wales, to have received the Gold Award. They are also the first rugby club of any variation and codem and the only club in Wrexham and Flintshire to get the Gold.

insport is a Disability Sport Wales project delivered with the support of Sport Wales, which aims to support the physical activity, sport, and leisure sectors delivering inclusively of disabled people. Gold is the highest level of the award that can be awarded.

Crusaders Chairman and Wales’ Head Coach and Development Officer, Stephen Jones said: “For the club to be awarded the insport Gold Award is the final step on our insport journey that started nine years ago.

“It shows how much effort and commitment our members have put in to making this happen.

“Getting the Gold Award from Disability Sports Wales has shown the commitment of our club to inclusion and helping to ensure everyone and anyone can become a player or volunteer and helps to further cement our place as the leading Wheelchair Rugby League in Wales.

“To find out that we are the only rugby club in the whole of Wales, and only one of ten sports clubs in the country to attain the Gold Award is something special and a proud moment for us as a club. It shows how much hard work has been done by everyone at the club over the last nine years.

“I hope that other Rugby League clubs in Wales now follow our example and start on their own insport journey as by working their way through the four levels of the programme will help them to include disabled athletes and volunteers into their clubs which in itself will bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to our sport.”

To find out more about the different stages of insport awards and to start the process of getting your team on the Insport pathway, please contact stephen.jones@walesrugbyleague.co.uk