Build your high-performing team.

Discover the secrets behind the Crusaders’ sustained success — and use them to help your team win.

Become a better leader.
Build your winning team.
Help your people thrive.

The Crusaders Leadership Programme™ is a two-week, high-intensity virtual experience for sports coaches and business leaders. Join from anywhere, connect with a group of ambitious, caring leaders, and learn from one of the most successful sports teams in the world.

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF…

You’re a team leader who wants to achieve extraordinary outcomes

You struggle to get alignment on culture

You want to create an environment that is both ambitious AND caring

The Crusaders Leadership Programme™ is for coaches and business leaders in any domain.

  • "A great course that extends well beyond the rugby field: I am in a corporate environment and found plenty I could apply - a good learning for me was the reminder to simplify."

    Chris Stephens
    Group Account Director - South Island at Television New Zealand Limited

  • "I am confident in my enhanced ability to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and continuously seek growth opportunities—not just for myself but for my entire team."

    Shea McAleese
    Olympic Hockey Player & Olympic Hockey Coach

  • "It affirmed my coaching practice, but made me realise just how special coaching is and how important our roles are in the lives of the people we serve."

    Michelle Tupper
    Howick College

  • "The course blew my mind! This is the best course I have ever done and will set me up for the next stage of my growth as a leader and coach."

    Nigel King
    Chief Marketing Officer at Comvita

  • "An outstanding program and course content that supports anyone wanting to develop their own leadership and improve themselves, whether it be for business, sport or just personal."

    Greg Mannion
    Midlands Rugby Academy

MEET YOUR LEGENDARY FACULTY…

  • Sir Wayne Smith was the Crusaders Head Coach from 1997-1999 — leading the Crusaders from bottom of the table to their first two championships. “The Professor” is a former All Blacks Coach and one of only two coaches to win two back-to-back Rugby World Cups. In 2022 he coached the Black Ferns to Rugby World Cup victory and was named Coach of the Year at the World Rugby Awards.

  • Samuel Whitelock is a former Crusaders and All Blacks Captain, and the youngest New Zealander in history and fastest player ever to reach 100 tests. He was named New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year 2017, and is one of only 20 players to win the Rugby World Cup more than once.

  • Scott "Razor" Robertson is the Head Coach of the All Blacks. He was the Crusaders Head Coach from 2017-2023 and is the most successful coach in Super Rugby history — leading the Crusaders to seven straight titles. He's played 86 caps for the Crusaders and 23 tests for the All Blacks.

  • Kieran Read is a former Crusaders and All Blacks Captain and one of the most capped All Blacks of all time. He was awarded the 2013 World Rugby Player of the Year, and was a key member of the All Blacks’ successful 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup campaigns.

  • Robbie Deans was the Crusaders Head Coach from 2000-2008, leading the team to five Super Rugby titles. He's a former All Blacks Assistant Coach and Wallabies Head Coach, and is currently the Head Coach of the Panasonic Saitama Wild Knights — the most successful club in Japan’s League One.

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT…

Wondering if this programme is for you?

Hear directly from participants:

  • from USA, Fiji, Portugal, New Zealand…

  • working in IT, football, insurance, youth work…

WHAT YOU’LL GET

You’ll discover the culture and skills that drive the Crusaders and have delivered the team sustained success — and walk away with a practical game plan for what to do next.

On the Crusaders Leadership Programme™, you’ll learn how to:

  • Get the best out of your team

  • Embed the counterintuitive approach to leadership that ensures your people are prepared for anything

  • Support teams to deliver consistently over time

  • Build a bigger story that drives your team

  • Form a champion team rather than a team of champions

COURSE DATES:

The two-week Crusaders Leadership Programme™ is exclusively online and works around your schedule.

LAST COHORT FOR THE YEAR:

4 - 17 November 2024

FIRST COHORT FOR THE NEW YEAR:

17 February - 2 March 2025

Check out the Course Outline for more info.

HOW YOU’LL LEARN

Delivered exclusively online, the Crusaders Leadership Programme™ is unlike any other online programme out there — combining group learning with total flexibility and adaptability.

Join from anywhere. Move through the programme with a global group of coaches and team leaders just like you, eager to learn and excited to improve.

Watch the videos and do the activities anytime as modules get released for maximum flexibility, while connecting with your cohort for maximum learning and accountability.

Watch Ask-Me-Anything sessions live or on replay. Get access to all course material for up to 60 days following course completion.

COURSE OUTLINE

The Crusaders Leadership Programme™ runs for two weeks. Modules are released as the course progresses — each containing videos, additional reading and exercises.

1. CULTURE COUNTS

  • Why culture is so important

  • How to form a champion team rather than a team of champions

  • How to build a bigger story that drives your team

  • How to consistently embed culture within the team

2. PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

  • How to elevate individual players or team members to perform at their best

  • How to ensure your team can consistently deliver over time

3. PERSON FIRST, PLAYER SECOND

  • How your team can develop its unique style

  • How to have greater control over your team’s destiny

  • How to be prepared for whatever gets thrown at you

4. COACH AS SERVANT LEADER

  • How to get the best out of your team

  • The primary purpose of the coach or team leader

  • The counterintuitive approach that ensures a team is prepared for anything 

BONUS: LIVE ASK-ME-ANYTHING SESSIONS

  • Get your question answered by some of our legendary faculty at one of our live Ask-Me-Anything sessions

FEEDBACK STATS

BE FIRST IN LINE FOR OUR NEXT COURSE

4–17 November 2024