Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge proudly displays the 2025 retail jersey
The Crusaders are focused on having an ever-increasing positive impact on the community, using our platform and voice to raise funds and awareness for worthy causes. It’s a big part of who we are.
The wellbeing of our future generations is a key area of focus for our Crusade With Heart Foundation, through school visits and our association with Youth Hub Christchurch, Child Cancer Foundation, KidsCan and the I Am Hope Foundation.
The Crusade With Heart Foundation was founded in 2022 and has since raised over $620,000 for youth-based charities. We raised nearly $120,000 for Youth Hub Christchurch at our 2024 Hall of Fame Charity Lunch, and the year before raised a similar amount for I Am Hope at the inaugural event.
KidsCan appeared on the front of our retail jerseys throughout the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season and we donated $5 from every jersey sold.
We are very pleased to announce that I Am Hope will appear on the front of our retail jerseys and on the front of the team's playing shorts for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The work they do to create conversations and raise awareness around the mental wellbeing of our young people has enormous impact. They are and continue to be a voice for those most vulnerable –our tamariki.
It’s becoming increasingly evident young Kiwis struggle with distressing self-talk and overthinking, and this can leave them feeling isolated and alone. By showing them these thoughts are universal, organisations like I Am Hope can help to give our kids a better life. There is always someone to talk to and help available.
We’re excited to have I Am Hope represented on jerseys that Crusaders fans will wear with pride and for our players to be role models in the community. Both team management and players will work together with I Am Hope to share stories and normalise that they too have bad days – often in the public eye and facing a range of emotions.
As a club we are working with I Am Hope to raise awareness and funds throughout the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific, including $5 donated from every jersey sold, a fundraiser golf day, and a jersey auction.
Mana Ashford, I Am Hope Partnerships Manager, said they were “excited and grateful” to be aligned with the Crusaders.
“The Crusaders and their Crusade With Heart Foundation have been supporting I Am Hope for years now not only in school, also with fundraising events,” Ashford said.
“It’s truly amazing to be represented prominently with a team like the Crusaders, both on their retail jersey and their playing shorts, something we never take for granted.
“Together we’re leading the way in normalising emotions and show our vulnerabilities to have more conversations with our young people. We all love how the Crusaders embrace everyone, no matter who you are, where you’re from or what you say in the media.
“The bottom line is Crusaders care about their community and are a whānau who embrace everyone.”
Colin Mansbridge, Crusaders CEO, said the club was “thrilled I Am Hope will appear on our retail jersey and on our players shorts in 2025”.
“They are fantastic ambassadors for normalising conversations about mental health and encouraging all of us to change our perspective on those dealing with mental health challenges,” Mansbridge said.
“The Crusaders are determined to help causes that align with our values, and there is absolutely no doubt I Am Hope are one of those.”
