In 1992, Stephen Calvert established Rathcoole Presbyterian Youth Club football team which catered for girls’ under the age of 14.  In an attempt to widen the catchment area Stephen joined forces with Glenstar, from West Belfast, to create Newtownabbey Strikers WFC. This amalgamation produced one of the first clubs in Northern Ireland to promote an inclusive environment for catholic and protestant girls’ and women to play together in a safe and welcoming environment. 

Initially, Newtownabbey Strikers played in five aside competitions before entering the NIWFA league in 1994.  In its infancy the team struggled with the eleven aside game but despite this Stephen worked tirelessly in the background to attract new players to the club.  Eventually his hard work paid off and in 1999 the Strikers were promoted to the Premier League.  In the last nine years the Strikers have won the coveted NIWFA Premier League trophy four times, with the most recent title during the 2009 season. Newtownabbey Strikers were the first team to win the Irish FA Women’s Cup in 2005 and the first Northern Ireland team to win the Carrickfergus International Tournament in 2008. 

In 2009, Newtownabbey Strikers amalgamated with North Belfast men’s team Crusaders Football Club to become Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers. The two clubs felt that their similar ambition and hunger for success, combined with their wealth of experience, offered the perfect ingredients to drive both clubs forward.  By pooling resources and expertise Crusaders Football Club and Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers now successfully serve their North Belfast / Newtownabbey catchment areas.