Brewery Field hosted Ospreys' home games last season [Huw Evans Picture Agency] Bridgend's Brewery Field is to become North Wales Crusaders' first permanent home. Wales' only professional rugby league side had been on the brink of collapse earlier this year when the owner announced they would no longer provide funding. But supporters and volunteers rallied to save the Championship club, with former owner Jamie Elkaleh returning as chairman and helping to secure the stadium deal with Bridgend Ravens. "Securing our own home at Brewery Field is a transformative step for the Crusaders," Elkaleh said. "By investing in this infrastructure, we are not just building a foundation for the club's sporting success; we are creating a vibrant hub that will significantly benefit the wider community." The agreement is subject to final approval of the Rugby Football League (RFL) and if a licence is granted, Crusaders will only play a handful of games in Bridgend.
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The club, which plays it home games at Stadiwm CSM in Colwyn Bay, say they are looking to expand their footprint across Wales as part of a hybrid model. "This initiative will see a handful of league games played in South Wales, testing the waters to bring elite rugby league to an even wider Welsh audience while maintaining their core base at The Electric Brewery Field," the club said. Founded as the Celtic Crusaders in 2005, the club was initially based at Brewery Field before eventually going into liquidation in 2011. Reformed and readmitted by the RFL later that year, the club moved to north Wales but have suffered numerous financial problems over the subsequent years. Elkaleh said the latest agreement would "drive local business growth, foster deeper community engagement, and ensure that we leave a lasting legacy for generations of fans and residents alike".