Marked for life: Beth Matheson’s Crusader Member story
On Friday night, when the Crusaders take on the Blues at One New Zealand Stadium, it’s about more than just two fierce rivals going head-to-head.
It’s Members Match – a chance to celebrate the thousands of members who turn up every week and show their support for the red and black wherever they are in the world.
One of those people is Beth Matheson.
Beth lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales but make no mistake – she’s as Crusaders as they come.
Earlier this year, she took that connection one step further, tattooing her Crusaders member number alongside a Tohu she designed herself – a number she has for life, and now quite literally.
“I wasn’t a rugby fan growing up at all, it honestly wasn’t even on my radar,” Beth says.
That changed during COVID lockdowns, watching the All Blacks with her dad. They then moved onto watching Super Rugby, and she quickly found a favourite player in Richie Mo’unga - which made her decision to support the Crusaders easy.
“I had no idea how good they were,” she says, laughing. “I just picked them because of Richie.”
In 2023, Beth bought her first-ever membership to a sporting team – an overseas membership – something she never thought she’d do.
“I just really loved the sport and what rugby stands for. There’s this respect that exists beyond the final whistle. Win or lose, you shake hands, you hug, you move on, I hadn’t seen that in other sports.”
Beth planned a trip to New Zealand around one Crusaders home game. What she didn’t plan for was how deeply that day would stay with her.
“I remember going into the members area before the game and meeting some of the players who weren’t named that night. Jack Goodhue stopped and asked what had happened to me.”
Beth lives with chronic nerve pain and back issues, which means she uses crutches to walk.
“He stood there and listened, properly listened. He told me I’d get better, that I just had to keep trying.”
After the match, as Beth waited in the crowd during fans on field – a post-match Crusaders tradition that she didn't know about but was so excited about – Jack spoke to her again.
“He came back just to say goodbye and wish me the best for the rest of my trip. I was nobody, he didn’t have to do that. That moment really summed up the Crusaders for me.”
From that point on, Beth was all in.
“How could you not love the Crusaders after that? Of course I became a member again.”
For Beth, her membership quickly became about far more than game day.
“It’s the team, then the team around the team, and then this whole community. It’s helped my mental health more than people probably realise. Being part of something bigger than just me has helped my recovery.”
That sense of belonging only grew when Beth spent time living in Christchurch during the 2025 season, moving over specifically so she could attend every home game.
“They were my starting point. Before I had friends here, before anything else, the Crusaders made this feel like home.”
When memberships opened at One New Zealand Stadium, Beth queued, researched and planned every detail. What she didn’t expect was the email that followed.
Her forever member number: #3.
“I was in the supermarket when I got the email. I honestly thought I was reading it wrong.”
That number now lives on her skin.
“It’s mine, no one can take it from me. It doesn’t matter where I am or what happens, I’m part of this forever.”
Beth designed the tattoo herself, incorporating the Tohu and elements that represent new beginnings, resilience and her journey with the club.
“It might just look like a Crusaders tattoo, but there’s a lot more in it than that. It’s a reminder that I can keep pushing, keep showing up.”
As the Crusaders prepare to face the Blues at Members Match, Beth’s story is a reminder of what sits at the heart of this club.
“It’s not just a team, it’s a family. If you’re thinking about becoming a member, come and experience it for yourself. You won’t find this anywhere else.”
On Friday 8 May, One New Zealand Stadium won’t just be filled with red and black. It’ll be filled with stories like Beth’s.
Because Members Match is about celebrating the people who are, and always will be, One of Us.
Want to become a 2027 Member? Register your interest here.