Limassol Crusaders
Limassol Crusaders
 |
| Full name |
Limassol Crusaders Rugby Football Club |
|---|
| Nickname(s) |
Crusaders |
|---|
| Founded |
2003 (2003) |
|---|
| Location |
Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Ground(s) |
Mesa Geitonia Stadium (Capacity: 2,000) |
|---|
| Chairman |
Michael Quain |
|---|
| President |
Nicholas Mastoroudes |
|---|
| Coach(es) |
Andreas Ioannou |
|---|
| Captain(s) |
Constantinos Constantinides |
|---|
| League(s) |
Cyprus Rugby Federation League |
|---|
| 2013–14 CRF League standing |
3rd |
|---|
| Official website |
|---|
|
limassolcrusadersrfc.com |
The Limassol Crusaders are an independent rugby union club based in Limassol, Cyprus. They were the 2nd independent rugby club to be formed in Cyprus, after the Paphos Tigers. They were established in late 2003.[1]
History
The club was formed, and initial membership recruited, by word of mouth after the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Temporary training facilities were used initially, including a spell at the Elias Beach Resort Hotel, until the club finally leased the AEK Achileas Stadium in 2004, with the club joining the Joint Services Rugby Football Union and competing formally starting with the 2004/05 season. When the Cyprus Rugby Federation formed its own league, Limassol Crusaders joined it.
When, in 2006, Cyprus formed a national squad, five Crusaders were members of the team that won their inaugural game against Greece.[2]
In 2013, the Crusaders moved to a new stadium in the Mesa Geitonia area of Limassol. The new stadium has a higher capacity, better drainage and conforms better to IRB safety regulations.
Results
League
| Season |
League |
Final Position |
| 2004/05 | JSRFU League | 6th |
| 2005/06 | JSRFU League | 6th |
| 2006/07 | JSRFU League | 6th |
| 2007/08 | JSRFU League | 5th |
| 2008/09 | JSRFU League | 6th |
| 2009/10 | JSRFU League | 3rd |
| 2010/11 | JSRFU League | 5th |
| 2011/12 | CRF League | 4th |
| 2012/13 | CRF League | 5th |
| 2013/14 | CRF League | 3rd |
| 2014/15 | CRF League | In Progress |
Tournaments
| Year |
Tournament |
Final Position |
| 2009 | Aya Nik 15s | 4th |
| 2010 | Aya Nik 15s | 3rd |
| 2011 | Aya Nik 15s | 3rd |
| 2012 | Aya Nik 15s | 3rd |
| 2013 | Cyprus Beach Rugby[3] | Runner-up |
| 2013 | Aya Nik 15s | 5th |
Tours
| Year |
Team |
Location |
Result |
| 2006 | Maastricht University  | Limassol Techniki School  | Won |
| 2009 | Beit Jala Lions  | Limassol Techniki School | Won |
| 2009 | Cairo Rugby  | Cairo | Won |
| 2012 | Warwick University  | Limassol Techniki School | Lost |
| 2013 | Leigh RFC | Limassol Techniki School | Won |
| 2013 | URAG  | Rome Campo Tre Fontane | Won |
| 2013 | Rugby Roma | Rome Campo Tre Fontane | Lost |
| 2013 | The World  | Limassol - Mesa Geitonia | Won |
| 2014 | HMS Diamond  | Limassol - Mesa Geitonia | Won |
| 2014 | Courbet  | Limassol - Mesa Geitonia | Won |
Current squad
2013/14
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
Internationally capped players
- Andy Webster
- Andrew Spring
- Panayiotis Jacovides
- Scott Lennox
- Dan McFarlane
- Constantinos Constantinides
- Artemis Papageorgiou
- Stevie Awah
Internationally capped former players
- Marco Mladenovic
- Fidias Efthimiou
- Kiki Vatikiotis
- Dimitri Maratheftis
- George Stylianou
- Dervis Devren
- Nathan Pring
- Greg Loucaides
- Chris Christofi
- Kostas Christou
- Peter Hunter
- Panayiotis Loizides
- Will Booth
Captains
- 2004/05 Zeno Nicolaou
- 2005/06 Zeno Nicolaou
- 2006/07 Chris Snaith
- 2007/08 Andrew Spring
- 2008/09
Darryl Davies
- 2009/10 Greg Loucaides
- 2010/11 Andrew Spring - Marko Mladenovic
- 2011/12
Fraser Nelson
- 2012/13 Fraser Nelson
- 2013/14 Constantinos Constantinides
- 2014/15 Constantinos Constantinides
Youth rugby
As well as the senior team, the Crusaders also encourage youth rugby. The Crusader Colts is open to boys and girls aged 13 and older[4] and the Minicru is open to children aged 6 and older.[5]
References
External links
