North Wales Crusaders can confirm former Super League and NRL star Patrick Ah Van has signed a new contract with the club until the end of the 2025 season alongside taking up a role within Carl Forster’s back room team.
Ah Van is a veteran of the game having begun his professional rugby league career in the NRL in 2006 appearing for the New Zealand Warriors, where he made 54 appearances, scoring 16 tries and 5 goals between 2006-2010.
2011 saw Ah Van move to the UK where he featured in Super League for both Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings, the later who he left to join North Wales Crusaders in 2021, scoring 20 times in 42 appearances for the club before switching to fellow League One outfit Oldham for the 2023 season.
2024 saw Ah Van return to Colwyn Bay, enjoying another successful season where he crossed the whitewash on 11 occasions.
The new deal for Ah Van shall see the former Samoan international remain with the club until the end of the 2025 season but also take on an additional coaching role with Carl Forster’s backroom team.
On the news, Forster commented: “It’s great to retain Pat, and his experience is so valuable in such a young squad.
“He really stepped up last season in terms of leadership off the field and performances on it.
“Pat joining the coaching staff will add more experience and knowledge across all departments of the game and will obviously benefit everyone involved.”
