Fan's Generosity Results in Crusaders Visiting Local School

A winning bid at last year’s Hall of Fame caused a flow on effect of generosity within our community, with opportunities and outrageous fun for those involved.

With many items to bid on at last years Crusade With Heart event, Nick Bell had his eyes on the training session with the Crusaders from the start, knowing it was something he could share within his community. Coming away successful, Nick offered the session to Broadfield School, where his two children attend, which was welcomed by staff and students. “The school was very excited by it”, said Nick.

Broadfield, a small country school nestled amongst the back fields of Rolleston with just 150 students, hosted players from the Crusaders and the Champion Crusaders U20 team last Friday. The day was organised entirely by senior students, with the courtyard covered in hand made red and black decorations, including a large ‘Welcome Crusaders’ banner. “Broadfield is really good at giving kids opportunities, a group of senior students planned the sit around couches, questions, games and challenges”, said Nick.

Crusader and All Black hooker, George Bell, was one of the players who visited commenting “the kids were so full of energy. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. It was a great experience and pretty wholesome”.

Following the student led challenges was rugby skills and drills out on the field run by Canterbury Rugby coaches, “the cool thing about it was how everyone interacted, you didn’t have to be into rugby, and you could still join in” commented Nick.

“Our school motto is ‘dig deep to achieve our personal best’, as you look around today it is amazing having these players out, doing the epitome of digging deep” said Principal Jared Welsh, “it is exactly the sort of qualities we want to instil in our kids”.

The spectacular day was topped off by Broadfield students and teachers embracing what it means to Crusade With Heart and having a positive impact on the community themselves, by organising a school drive prior to the teams visit and collecting donations of stationery to be gifted to children in need in Christchurch.

“The joy on their faces is the big thing you take away, how much they love it, that strips back everything for me” said George, “you can get pretty caught up in the rugby life but when you go back to the grassroots, it brings you back to why you play to start off with”.