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Remembering John Slattery

The Crusaders Rugby Club is deeply saddened to report the passing of member and former Club President, John Slattery.

John began his rugby career at Appleby College and later at the University of Western Ontario. He joined the Crusaders alongside his brother Jim and quickly became a mainstay in the 1st XV for many years. John was known as a great teammate, a fierce competitor on the field, and a true gentleman off it.

A hard?running and rapid winger, John was best known for his ferocious tackling and defensive ability. His talent and commitment to the game saw him go on to represent the Niagara Rugby Union (NRU), Ontario, Eastern Canada and Canada.

As John progressed into his 30s, he continued to contribute by playing on a very strong 2nd XV. Many young players beginning their rugby journeys were privileged to share the field with “Slatts,” benefiting from his experience, leadership, and example.

Former Club President Simon Fitzgerald reflected:

“John was a truly great person. I would be surprised if you could find anyone who could say anything negative about him. He embodied what it meant to be a great husband to Jill, a great father to Emma and Katherine, a successful professional in finance, and a phenomenal athlete who personified competitiveness and sportsmanship. John was one of the all?time great Crusaders.”

Club historian Steve Scott added:

“John was one of the most popular players in the club—modest, reliable, and talented. To say that John Slattery will be missed, and will remain the subject of many stories and memories, is a profound understatement.”

John’s legacy as a player, leader, and friend will endure within the Crusaders Rugby Club. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Please join us at the clubhouse on Saturday, January 10 from 1pm-6pm to celebrate John.

World Cup Final Watch Party

This Saturday at Crusaders Park, we’re showing both Women’s Rugby World Cup Finals LIVE on the big screen! Kick things off with New Zealand vs. France in the Bronze Final at 7:30 AM, before the main event, the World Cup Final at 11:00 AM, where our very own Taylor Perry and Canada face England!

The bar will be open, we’ll have a buffet of snacks provided, and an ice cream truck on-site available for purchase, to keep the energy high all day! So, wear your best RED and show your support as our Crusader and country look to make history!

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Goodbye Bob Nye – Passing of a Club Legend

Dear Members

It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of club legend, Bob Nye.

Bob slipped away peacefully at 3:15am September 12, 2025 at the Ian Anderson Hospice with his wife Liz by his side. Bob will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

About Bob

 

Although not an original club founder, Bob joined Crusaders Rugby Club in its infancy and was a proud and staunch supporter of all Crusaders teams,. From minis to seniors, men and women, all the way to the end, regularly watching club games in person when he was able, and online when he was not.

Together with his own anthem and an incredibly broad fan club, Bob was never short of an anecdote (or ten), most of which were repeated often but always told with fresh enthusiasm. People hung off his every word and would occasionally be treated to a new story so fantastical, it was barely believable… and certainly never publishable. Whether he was crooning a rat pack classic or telling a terrible joke, he always kept his audience in the palm of his hands. Wherever he may be now, spare a thought for whoever is tasked with the impossible challenge of keeping him on the straight and narrow!

Celebration of Life

 

Details of Bob’s funeral are still to be determined, however, it will be a private family gathering.

Crusaders Rugby Club will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Bob on Saturday October 4, 2025 (from 1pm) at the clubhouse. More details will follow, but if you knew Bob, you are kindly asked to save the date.

Please be encouraged to pass on this sad news to Crusaders Alumni and others who knew Bob.

Please share with us in conveying our kindest regards, deepest sympathies and condolences to Bob’s family, particularly his wife Liz.

Your Family in Rugby – Crusaders Rugby Club

Fall Minis Rugby Kicks Off at Crusaders Rugby Club

We’re thrilled to announce our first-ever Saturday morning Fall Rugby Program for kids aged 6-12 — right here at the Crusaders Rugby Club! Whether your child is brand new to the game or already a proud Crusaders player, our fall programs are designed to keep the rugby spirit alive well past summer. With the crisp autumn air, our beautiful home field, and our experienced coaching team, it’s the perfect setting for fun, skill-building, and teamwork.

Starting Saturday, September 6 and running for seven weeks until the end of October (with a break for Thanksgiving weekend), these programs focus on developing core rugby skills while keeping players engaged through exciting games and age-appropriate challenges.

Ready to register? Follow this link to our clubshop: https://clubshop.crusadersrugby.club/products/minis-fall-rugby-program

Minis Flag League – U8 & U10 (Birth Years 2020–2016)

Join us for a fun and fast-paced non-contact flag rugby program that runs every Saturday morning from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. Players will build their passing, catching, agility, and spatial awareness through skills sessions and intramural matches. It’s ideal for new players looking to try rugby and returning players wanting to sharpen their skills.

  • Where: Crusaders Rugby Club, 2214 Ninth Line, Oakville ON

  • When: Saturdays, September 6 – October 25 (No session, October 11)

  • Cost: $50 (includes insurance)

  • Open to members and the general public

Introduction to Contact – U12 (Birth Years 2015–2013)

Looking to try contact rugby in a safe, supportive, and confidence-building environment? This program is perfect for players who are new to contact or hesitant about tackling. Over seven Saturday mornings, participants will learn safe tackling techniques alongside the same core rugby skills as our Flag League. Sessions are designed to build confidence, strength, and game understanding — all led by experienced Crusaders coaches.

  • Where: Crusaders Rugby Club, 2214 Ninth Line, Oakville ON

  • When: Saturdays, September 6 – October 25 (No session, October 11)

  • Cost: $25 (excludes insurance – new members must purchase Rugby Canada insurance separately)

  • Open to existing members and the general public

 

Refund Policy

As per club policy, we are unable to offer partial or full refunds for missed sessions or cancellations due to weather, emergencies, or other circumstances beyond our control.

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2025 Home Opener and Alumni Day – Come Out and Support the Cru!

Saturday May 24 is the Cru’s Senior Home Opener day featuring our three senior men’s teams and our senior women. We also welcome back our alumni to enjoy some great rugby and our recently facelifted club on our annual Alumni Day.

Our Senior Men compete in the highly competitive and “new” format Marshall Premiership Division featuring the 8 strongest men’s clubs in Ontario: Oakville Crusaders, Balmy Beach, Brantford Harlequins, Burlington Centaurs, Waterloo County, Aurora Barbarians, Oshawa Vikings and the Toronto Scottish. After one round in which our men’s teams played the Aurora Barbarians and came away with three wins, Cru is positioned at the joint top of the 1st XV table, at the top of the 2nd XV table and at the top of 3rd XV table – but that may be fleeting with some very tough opposition ahead in the coming rounds. This week the men take on Waterloo County who have been historically very strong and have taken some recent victories at Crusaders Park. Josh Allan, our new senior men’s coach for 2025, and his coaching team of Andy Gale and Liam Bowman have Waterloo in their sites. See the Marshall League tables & fixtures here: https://www.rugbyontario.com/competitions/

The Cru Senior Women compete in the Niagara Rugby Union (NRU) Premiership against the Stoney Creek Camels, Niagara Wasps, Hamilton Hornets, Grimsby (ahem) “Gentlemen”, Bruce County and the Fergus Highlanders. Under their new Aussie coach, Cooper Smith, the women are keen to make a strong opening impression against Grimsby in front of a supportive home crowd on Saturday. The NRU Premiership tables and fixtures are also available on the Rugby Ontario site here: https://www.rugbyontario.com/competitions/ 

Kick-off times:

  • Crusaders Women XV vs Grimsby: 11:00am
  • Crusaders Men 3rd XV vs Waterloo: 12:30pm
  • Crusaders Men 2nd XV vs Waterloo: 2pm
  • Crusaders Men 1s XV vs Waterloo: 3:30pm

Come and support the Cru! The bar will be open, our newly renovated clubhouse will be welcoming and there will be some great rugby.

Crusaders Park, 2214 Ninth Line, Oakville, Ontario. Admission Free!

Crusaders Launches a New Touch Rugby League on Tuesday Evenings

The Crusaders Rugby Club is excited to launch a new version of our Touch Rugby League this summer on Tuesday nights. The 6-Down Touch Rugby league is a competitive league suitable for players of all abilities. This non-contact league is open to players aged 16 and up, and is a great way to stay active, enjoy the summer evenings, and be part of the fabled and fun Crusaders community.

  • 12 weeks – June 3, 2025 through August 26, 2025
  • Tuesdays 8:00–10:00pm
  • 40 minutes-long, refereed games, with each team playing at least two games per night
  • Teams must have at least 6 players, and there must be at least 2 female players on the field at all times
  • 6-Down Touch Laws (International Touch)
    • Rolling substitutions are allowed
  • The first week will be a training/learning session to enable everyone to become comfortable with the Laws
  • Open to players 16 years and older
  • Registration includes a Crusaders Rugby Touch League t-shirt

Registration and Teams:

Not Sure? Try It on June 3!

Come out on June 3 at 8pm and meet us and see what a blast the league is! It’s financially and obligation free… Register for the “try it” evening here: https://clubshop.crusadersrugby.club/products/try-touch-league-registration

Community Atmosphere:

Tuesday nights at Crusaders will be buzzing—not just with touch rugby, but with other club activities, open training, and plenty of social energy. The bar will be open, making it a great opportunity to catch up with teammates and club members after your game.

What to Bring:

  • Cleats (soccer or rugby)
  • Comfortable athletic wear
  • Water bottle
  • A good attitude and a team-first mindset!

Questions?: Please reach out to Jevan Malan touch.league@crusadersrugby.ca

*Fees include a $12.50 Capital Fund Levy that all registered participants in the club are required to pay.

Men’s 1st XV, 2nd XV and 3rd SV Marshall League Schedule

 

Support Your Crusaders Senior Men in the Marshall Premiership League

Support Your Crusaders Senior Men in the Marshall Premiership League

Support Your Crusaders Senior Men in the Marshall Premiership League

Come out and support our Senior Men’s teams home and away as they battle it out in the Top 8 Premiership division of the Marshall League, Ontario’s premier rugby league. The club is pitted against the strongest clubs in Ontario, including our rivals Burlington Centaurs, Brantford Harlequins, Oshawa Vikings, Waterloo County, the Toronto Scottish, the Aurora Barbarians and the Balmy Beach Club. The 2025 Marshall League Premiership delivers the most competitive and exciting rugby in the province – and our men need your support!

League Standings and Fixtures:

Marshall League Premiership 1st XV

Marshall League Premiership 2nd XV

Marshall League Premiership 3rd XV

2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Date Set for January 28, 2025

The Crusaders Rugby Club’s 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held at the Crusaders Rugby Club on Tuesday January 28, 2025 at 7:00pm.

Director’s Reports will be presented highlighting information on the past season, upcoming projects, and important events. All Club members are invited to attend.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF CRUSADERS RUGBY CLUB

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of the Crusaders Rugby Club (the “Corporation”) will be held on the 28th day of January 2025 at 7:00 pm for the following purposes:

  1. To receive the report from the Directors on the activities of the Club for the 2023/2024 year.
  2. To receive the audited financial statements of the Corporation for the financial year ended October 31st, 2024.
  3. To appoint the Auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year.
  4. To appoint Directors of the Corporation including the following positions (incumbents listed in parentheses):
    1. President (Chris Tudor Price)
    2. Treasurer (Candace Carroll)
    3. Fundraising & Sponsorship (Craig Du Plessis replaced Jonnie Scrivo mid-term)
    4. Alumni Relations (Dave Mastel)
    5. Senior Men * (Kevin Brenders)
    6. Junior Boys * (Kevin Brenders)
    7. Minis (Gary Goetsch)
      * note these positions were previously combined
  5. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

If you wish to run for any of the above positions, please contact club secretary Pat Daniels at secretary@crusadersrugby.ca and advise your intentions. You are also able to signal your intentions during the meeting itself.

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2024 Crusaders Rugby Club Annual Report

1 file(s) 4.62 MB
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2024 AGM Proxy Form

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DATED the 30th day of December 2024.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Pat Daniels
Secretary, Crusaders Rugby Club

Trillium Grant for Clubhouse Renovations

The club is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $120,400 Ontario Trillium Foundation funding to perform some much-needed clubhouse renovations during the winter of 2025. In 2024, the club upgraded its water system so that the clubhouse water is now drinkable/potable, connected our facilities to the municipal mains water supply to enable us to irrigate all our fields, and has performed extensive maintenance on the septic system which was having some challenges – and we’re continuing with additional upgrades in 2025.

The club will be undertaking a renovation of the interior of the clubhouse starting in December 2024, which will entail:

  • Reconfiguring the existing men’s toilets and shower are so that the shower area is accessible to both genders
  • Installing private, locking shower stalls to enable men/boys and women/girls to have access to showers in the clubhouse
  • Installing new floors upstairs in the clubhouse
  • Resurfacing the downstairs floors
  • Replacing all the upstairs clubhouse furniture, chairs and tables
  • Installing new cabinetry and sinks in the food preparation and bar area

We’d like to most sincerely thank The Ontario Trillium Foundation for its ongoing support of the club and we’d also like to thank Stephen Crawford, MPP, for his continued advocacy and support of our club.