Limassol Crusaders


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.

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.
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.
In 2016, the club moved back to the historical stadium next to Katholiki Technical School after closing the contract with the previous venue.

Results

League

Tournaments

Tours

YearTeamLocationResultYearTeamLocationResult
2006Maastricht University Limassol Techniki School Won2015Honey Badgers Warsaw - AWF a Drawn
2009Beit Jala Lions Limassol Techniki School Won2015Old Actonians Warsaw - AWF a Lost
2009Cairo Rugby Cairo Won2015Cani Sciolti Warsaw - AWF a Lost
2012Warwick University Limassol Techniki School Lost2015Abbeyfeale Warsaw - AWF a Lost
2013Leigh RFC Limassol Techniki School Won2015Warsaw Frogs Warsaw - AWF a Won
2013URAG Rome Campo Tre Fontane Won2015Aberdeen Grammar Warsaw - AWF a Won
2013Rugby Roma Rome Campo Tre Fontane Lost2015Camberley Rugby Vets Limassol Techniki School Won
2013The World Limassol - Mesa Geitonia Won2016Cirencester RFC Limassol Techniki School Lost
2014HMS Diamond Limassol - Mesa Geitonia Won2016Brussels Celtic Barbarians VUBLost
2014Courbet Limassol - Mesa Geitonia Won2017Arlechinii Bucuresti Stadionul Florea DumitracheLost
2015Les Zozos Warsaw - AWF a Won2018Kiev Rebels Spartak StadiumLost
2018Jamhour Black Lions Limassol Techniki School Lost

a Match played in the 2015 Warsaw Rugby Festiival.

Current squad

2015/16

Internationally capped players

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 and the Minicru is open to children aged 6 and older.

Veterans rugby

In November 2016 the Limassol Crusaders for the first time fulfil a Veterans squad as opposition for the Camberley Rugby Vets on tour in Cyprus. The team has been unofficially called "the Commandarias".