About JNR Cru

At Crusaders -  JNR CRU, We provide a fun and safe environment for children and young adults aged 7-18 to improve their fitness, build self-confidence, and make new friends.

Our experienced coaches focus on developing a love for running in our members, as well as teaching proper running form and technique. We believe that running is not just a sport, but a way of life that can have lifelong benefits.
At our club, we offer a variety of activities to suit all levels of ability, including training sessions for hurdles, sprinting, high jump, long jump, and throws. Our members have the opportunity to participate in local and national competitions and races, and we always encourage each other to do our best and achieve our goals.


We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every member feels valued and supported. Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, make new friends, or become a competitive athlete, we welcome you to join our club and be part of our running community.
Training
We welcome all levels of runner
Our aim is to create an environment where kids can discover their athletic ability, develop friendships and create a fun habit for their whole life.  All athletes must compete in Competitions to retain their place in the club.

We want all our athletes to reach their own personal athletics goal.  Whether it is to enjoy athletics for life or to aim for international standards. 
Athletics for Life = Crusaders for Life
All our Group leading coaches are Athletics Ireland qualified.
Training takes place at Irishtown Stadium,
1 Kerlogue Rd, Dublin 4, D04 KN77. Beside Ringsend Park. The magnificent Irishtown Stadium with its modern facilities and 8 lane Olympic Standard track is a great location for your athletes development. 

With 4 long jump pits, high jump, discus, shot putt, javelin, pole-vault and the ability to coach all the Olympic events; this is a top class facility. Training will either be on the outdoor running track or our indoor running track.

Training Times

The juvenile section training times are as follows:

Tuesday: 19.30 to 21.00 - born 2011 and older

Thursday: 18:15 to 20.00 - born 2013 and older

Saturday:  09:15 to 10:30 - born 2010 - 2017
                  10:20 to 12.30 - born 2011 and older

Sunday:    09.45 to 11.30 - born 2011 and older not every Sunday

Safeguarding -
Crusaders AC is committed to the safeguarding of all its members. Find out more on our Child Safety HERE
Coaching
Training sessions focus on preparation for competition, on fitness and on technique for various events. Events in which club members participate include:
  • Sprints and hurdles
  • Relays
  • Middle distance running
  • Jumps –  long jump, triple jump and high jump
  • Throws – Javelin, Turbo Javelin, shot putt and Discus.

We welcome any additional assistance that parents may be able to provide at our training sessions. Please talk to any of our coaches or email: [email protected]
if you are able to help.

Becoming a Coach
Any parent who would like to become a coach or assist at sessions is particularly welcome. There is an approval process including Garda Vetting, compliance with our Coaches Code of Conduct.

We organise training courses through Athletics Ireland. If you do not want to coach there are a number of ways you can assist. The athlete of parents who commit to regular coaching and/or assisting will go to the top of  any waiting list for club membership.

See more about coming a coach with the button below.
Juvenile Competitions

All athletes are encouraged to take part in at least two competitions during the year. 

The competitions that are available are:
Cross country leagues and Cross country Championships in September - November.  
Indoor Championships in February/March
Outdoor track and field leagues and Championships in April, May and June.

With Competitions the child’s ability is not a factor as all children will be encouraged to fulfill their own potential and to participate in suitable competition, which includes both individual and team events.
Other Information
Athletics Clothing
You can purchase various Club gear for your child via the Jako club shop HERE

Juvenile members should bring the following to training:
  • Track suit bottoms and shorts
  • Suitable running shoes
  • T-shirt and tracksuit top or light top
  • Hat and or Gloves (if cold or wet weather)
  • Light raincoat (if wet weather)
  • Bottle of water (for light drinking during training session)

Club Vests / T-shirt: Athletes should where possible wear the Club’s running vest or T-shirt when entering competitions. It is advisable for younger athletes to wear the t-shirt rather than the running vest.
Please contact Jim O Neill or one of the coaches at training to purchase the club vest / t-shirt.
Running Spikes
For cross country running, the ground can be quite slippy, so normal runners really are not suitable. The kids could wear football boots as a last resort, but ideally they should wear running spikes. Once they have a heel, a pair of running spikes will usually do for both track events and cross country.

They usually come with 2mm or 5mm spikes – those sizes are suitable for the track. For cross country, you’d need to get a set of 9mm spikes, or if the ground is very wet, 12mm can be useful. Maximum 5mm spikes only allowed on the track.

When buying spikes, try them on if possible as they tend to be very small fitting, so you would normally go up a size. Although, don’t go up too many sizes are they are intended to be snug to give the runner good control over their foot.

Running spikes are not typically needed for the training sessions. For training, a good pair of runners is perfect. The spikes can be kept for races and events, although the athletes should try them out beforehand to see how they feel.
Lost Property
Often at club training sessions, items of clothing are left behind. If your child leaves something behind, please contact one of the coaches – chances are they have been collected by a coach.
About Crusaders
Since the club’s foundation in 1942, over 15 Olympians have donned the white and red singlet and the club continues to identify and foster talent hoping to add to the list. The most famous of our Olympians is the legendary Ronnie Delaney who won 1,500m gold in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Recent success includes Caroline Crowley who was part of the Irish Bronze medal team in the European Cross Country Championship in France 2015. 
Caroline Crowley: “The Crusaders club are fantastic. They’re my friends, and my social life. It makes the world of difference.”
Matthew Behan Crusaders AC member, current National Senior Champion and Irish record holder at 110m hurdles was a CruFuture star only 10 years ago.
Contact Us
ADDRESS:
Crusaders AC Juvenile Section
Irishtown Stadium, Irishtown, Dublin 4

EMAIL:
[email protected]