Membership your ticket to becoming our Tee Kid
Ok get this – ONLY Crusaders Child Members can be the Golden Homes Tee Kid at our home games.
We caught up with Ollie at Apollo Projects Stadium back in March. He’d been chosen as our Crusaders Child Member to run the tee out when needed against the Hurricanes in Round 4.
The 12 year old was the first Golden Homes Tee Kid of the season, passing the tee to Riley Hohepa to convert Cullen Grace’s try early in the second half and his penalty 20 mins later.
He received a message from his dad, Shaun, to let him know he’d been selected. Perhaps the only time he was pleased he forgot to silence his phone during science class.
“I thought he was entering me into a competition, it wasn’t until I rang him after school that I realised I was definitely doing it,” he said.
“I was so excited.”
All Crusaders Child Members go in the draw to be Golden Homes Tee kid, and Ollie was beyond stoked to get the opportunity. You can get a Child Membership at any level, and all receive a free food and drink pack at games.
“It’s a childhood dream”, Ollie said. He’d played rugby at Sheffield Rugby Club since he was three years old.
If you thought the 12-year-old was worried about running onto the field towards his heroes, you’d be wrong.
“I wasn’t nervous, I just had to run fast,” he said.
“My mates were giving me a bit of grief that I might slip over in front of everyone, but I had my rugby boots on”.
Several teammates from Sheffield Rugby Club were in the crowd supporting him, as well as some school friends from St Bedes where Ollie will play this year.
Keen to get stuck into the season, his position of choice was first five as “I just know how to boss everyone around”.
Not only did Ollie get to watch the boys’ first home game sideline next to Assistant Coach Matt Todd, he also met the team at Captain’s Run on Friday, including his favourite player Scott Barrett.
“I’d do it again if I could,” Ollie said.
“I’ve already entered into Facebook competition to be a ball kid.”
*note: the tee kid pictured is from our 2023 Round 14 game v the Waratahs
Korero e Hono ana
