Switching lanes from Academy Manager to Crusaders Team Manager, Aaron “Webby” Webb is all about deep connections with players and the community that surrounds us.
For over a decade Webby managed the Crusaders Academy, guiding the players through various areas of their lives, not just on the field. Assisting with living arrangements, school, budgeting, and relationship management was all in a week’s work for Webby, and he believes investing time and effort in a young adult’s life is critical.
“The Crusaders Academy philosophy is all about developing the whole person,” said Webby, “if we’re helping them grow as a human being and develop all the skills away from rugby that they need to thrive in their life, their rugby is always going to come along and thrive with that.”
In his new role as Crusaders Team Manager, Webby will be back working alongside many players he saw develop through the Academy including loose forward Fletcher Anderson, “Webby was an awesome Academy Manager. He really cared about each of us as an individual first, rather than just as a player, so it’s cool to have him in this environment too. He did a great job building good relationships with the players to get the best out of them on and off the field”.
During his time as Academy Manager, wanting to keep his players motivated during lockdown, Webby encouraged them to join him run a marathon while raising $5000 for the Child Cancer Foundation, “They’re a major charity of our club,’ said Webby, “It’s unbelievable what they do for those families. Potentially the worst time of their lives and they’re alongside with them. I think it’s really important to support an organisation like that”.
Webby raised the bar higher the following year, running an Ultra Marathon around Rugby and Malvern Parks. Flanked by the Academy, Crusaders players and staff, as well as members of the local community throughout the day, Webby smashed out 102km and raised $20,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.
The following year, Webby and other Crusader staff put their heads together to create what is now known as The Long Run. With enormous growth in support from the community, over 1,000 people took part in the free event and raised $55,000 for CCF, and in 2024 the participants doubled and the donations almost tripled to a whopping $128,000!
During the 2023 Long Run Webby met seven year old Caleb, who had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite going through chemotherapy, Caleb ran alongside Webby for a few laps and a special bond was formed between them. Since then, they catch up with weekly phone calls, and Webby regularly supports Caleb during MRI’s and hospital visits.
“He’s an amazing young man” said Webby, “his outlook is positive about everything in life and his energy that he gives me, I hope I can give him something in return and help him as much as he's helped me”.
Caleb’s family have also been deeply involved in the Long Run, with his father Dan, running his first marathon to show Caleb “he can do hard things too,” and in 2025 will return to run again for his son. His mother, Alice, connected with Hayley, whose daughter Charlotte passed away in 2021 at the age of 9. Alice and Hayley have formed the Long Run team ‘Charlotte’s Army’, to honour Charlotte’s memory.
“It’s about connecting with our community. Helping an organisation, and young people, and their families within that organisation that need our help,” said Webby, “we’re privileged, we’ve got profile, and we’ve got people who will support us and sponsors who will support us to support an organisation that really cares for our whanau and our family and our community. That’s my why. Nothing more than that, just getting out there and doing my bit to help out”.
The ripple effect of Webby’s vision and dedication is truly inspiring. From his determination to run for a cause, to the countless lives he’s touched, and the incredible funds raised, The Long Run has become an annual fixture in both the Crusaders and Child Cancer Foundation calendars. Aaron Webb is the epitome of being a Crusader with his unwavering commitment to community, compassion, and making a difference.
Stepping into his new role as Crusaders Team Manager, Webby will bring that same energy and heart to the team environment. For Webby, it’s about more than rugby; it’s about shaping a team that stands together, supports its community, and inspires others to do the same.
