Crusaders launch new club logo
The club logo launched by re-branded Super League club Crusaders Rugby League
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Monday, 02, Nov 2009 11:20
By Alistair Potter.
The Super League club formerly known as Celtic Crusaders have announced a full re-branding ahead of the 2010 season, which sees them launching a new logo and dropping 'Celtic' from their name.
The club, who finished bottom of European rugby league's top flight in their debut season this year, are set to move to Newport for a groundshare with union side Newport-Gwent Dragons in the close season.
And to reflect their change of focus with the switch to Rodney Parade, which is intended to attract a wider fanbase, Crusaders chief executive Mike Turner has unveiled a new logo representing the whole of Wales.
"We've been working hard on building a club that represents Wales and not just one area," Turner explained.
"In the past, we've been associated a little too much with the old Celtic Warriors adopting half of their name and even using an adaptation of their badge.
"It wasn't surprising as we were playing out of their old ground but now we want to emphasise that we are a team that represents this whole nation."
The new emblem features the Prince of Wales feathers on a St David's cross background.
And Turner believes it will make the brand much more accessible throughout Wales.
"The three feathers, as used by the Royal Welsh regiment, lots of businesses and organisations across the country as well as being on Welsh currency, is synonymous with Wales, plus we don't want to lose our St David's cross and black and gold colours," he continued.
"We are very much building for the future here at the Crusaders.
"We are happy with how Wales is embracing the Crusaders and rugby league as a whole but we know we still have a lot of hard work to do."
Plans for the club's second season in Super League were dealt an early blow towards the end of the last campaign when six of their top foreign stars - including captain Jace Van Dijk - were sent back to Australia because of visa problems.
As a result the club's coaching and scouting staff have been forced to work overtime in the past two months in order to highlight potential new signings to replace the core of the side.
That recruitment process was given a boost last month, however, when it was announced that former Great Britain and Wigan head coach Brian Noble would be taking over the running of the first-team.