Former Super League player Joe Mbu joins North Herts Crusaders as rugby league continues to grow in the South

The former London Broncos and London Skolars player, Joe Mbu, has joined Hitchin based club, North Herts Crusaders, as Director of Rugby and Head Coach, bringing significant professional and international experience to one of the fastest growing grassroots rugby league environments in the South of England.

Mbu made more than 100 professional appearances during his playing career, including spells with London Broncos in Super League as well as Harlequins RL and London Skolars.

Since retiring from playing he has built an impressive coaching record. During his time as Head Coach at London Skolars in Betfred League One he received a Coach of the Year nomination and developed a reputation for raising standards, developing players and building strong professional environments.

He has also coached internationally as Head Coach of Nigeria.

His arrival marks an important step for North Herts Crusaders, a Hitchin based club helping to grow rugby league in Hertfordshire, an area traditionally outside the sport’s northern heartlands.

The club has expanded steadily in recent years and now supports a growing junior section alongside a women’s rugby league team and a netball club, reflecting its wider ambition to create opportunities for people of all ages to take part in sport and be part of a strong community environment.

Joe Mbu said:

“My priority coming to Crusaders is to get people excited and to make sure everyone enjoys the process, training, development and playing. It’s about winning the small battles one step at a time and building the right culture together.

I’m passionate about seeing the game develop in the South and giving back to a sport that has given me so much.
The club’s values and its commitment to developing and bringing through young players are what really attracted me to the club. It’s something I strongly believe in and it makes me very excited about the future of the club.”

Chairman Josh Dell also said:

“Joe is someone we’ve been aware of for some time and we’re delighted to now have the opportunity to work with him.

"He brings incredible experience to the club and will not only help us grow but will be instrumental in developing the game of rugby league in Hertfordshire.

"I’m thrilled we could make this appointment and can’t wait to see what the year has in store for us.”

North Herts Crusaders will begin working under the new coaching structure immediately as preparations continue for the upcoming season.