JUNIOR BEARS SUMMER RUGBY 2024

JUNIOR BEARS SUMMER RUGBY TRAINING DATES & TIMES

Coventry Bears are delighted to confirm training details for its Junior Bears during the 2024 Summer Rugby Season, with training commencing on Wednesday 1 May and running for 13 weeks until Wednesday 24 July.

Training will take place at Old Coventrians RFC's ground on Tile Hill Lane.  In 2024 the Junior Bears will adopt a split start schedule with plenty of dedicated on-site parking and grass training areas.  Old Coventrians' clubhouse & bar will be open for light refreshments and snacks during and after training, enhancing parents, carers and players' training experience with the Junior Bears this Summer.

The Junior Bears are running four age groups with the addition of an U8s age group.  Both the U8s and U11s are open to Boys & Girls of all abilities.  The training sessions are designed to cater for novice & experienced players with a focus on skills development, tackle & carry confidence, teamwork and inclusivity.  Players old and new are most welcome to join!  During training all participants are required to wear a mouthguard / gum shield, appropriate rugby / football boots (moulded studs / blades), appropriate training clothes and bring along a bottle of water.

The Junior Bears will be participating in a number of Midlands based festivals in 2024 details of these dates are below.

FESTIVAL DATES FOR THE DIARY

Please come along on a training night when it begins everyone will be made welcome.

Registration and Membership will open in March and be published very soon.

Times:

U8s Boys & Girls (School Year 3 Only) 6pm - 6:40pm

U11s Boys & Girls (School Year 6 Only) 6:45pm - 7:45pm

U13s Boys (School Year 8 Only) 7pm - 8pm

U16s Boys (School Year 11 Only) 7pm - 8pm

Dates:

Start Wednesday 1st May

Run for 13 weeks

Final Wednesday 24th July

Venue:

Old Coventrians RFC

Tile Hill Lane

Aldermans Green

Coventry

CV4 9DE

New Head Coach

We are delighted to announce a new head coach as current head coach Alex Brown is stepping down due to work and family commitments. Alex has done a fantastic job over the past two seasons rebuilding the mens community squad and ensuring the clubs legacy has continued.

Former Coventry Bear Harry Kaufman will take up a player/ coach role after 8 years as a professional player both with Coventry Bears and various clubs in League One. The Cumbrian forward is no stranger to Coventry as has been involved playing in the south from his time at Coventry University to professional levels over many years where he notched up 75 professional games predominantly as a back rower. 

Alan Robinson said: “Harry has high standards and a wealth of experience, we have worked together before so he knows the club and will bring a huge amount of positive energy. I’m really looking forward to having him back with the club”

Harry commented:

“It's great to be back at the Bears and at a club that has been part of my rugby league life since I was 18. I've known Alan a number of years now and we both have similar ambitions for the club so when he asked if I was interested in the player/coaching role it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. This season should be really exciting. The club's new home at Old Coventrian’s RFC will provide us with a great base for some really entertaining games in what may be one of the most competitive Midlands leagues for years.”

Coventry Bears Announce New Home GroundS

We are delighted to announce that the club is moving to a new home at Old Coventrians RFC, Tile Hill Lane, CV4 9DE.

Old Coventrian’s RFC is one of the best rugby club locations in the city and can provide multiple pitch use for training, games and large events. It has a large newly refurbished club house, function room and outdoor patio and BBQ area which can accommodate supporters on match days and allow us to build on our ever-growing Coventry Bears community. 

Alan Robinson Coventry Bears Chairman said: “I am extremely excited about working with Old Coventrian’s once more. The club has fantastic facilities and will take us to another level in terms of accessibility as a location. Being based here will give us an opportunity to attract more players and allow us to engage with more supporters and sponsors. It is going to be the dawn of a new era for us in 2024”.

Tony Aston, Chairman of Old Coventrians RFC said: “We have some great history working with the Bears at our Club and are delighted they are re-joining us back on Tile Hill Lane. We are excited to see how the new relationship develops and view it as a great opportunity to not only showcase our excellent facilities throughout the year but also to support the mutual growth and development of Rugby Union and Rugby League in the area.”

A new era for Coventry Bears in 2024

Coventry Bears season runs from April until August each year and currently runs Juniors from u8 to u16, Women’s & Girls and Men’s teams. We are now actively recruiting players for all teams with training dates starting this spring due to be announced very soon.

Pitch-Side Sponsors

We now have the opportunity to offer the long-term benefit of pitch-side board advertising to local businesses. Please contact us on the email below for more information.

You can find out more at www.coventrybears.com or contact the club directly by emailing: alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk

24th June Anniversary Match Day

25th Anniversary Club Day

Coventry Bears V Birmingham Bulldogs

Saturday 24th June 2.30pm KO

Xcel Leisure Centre CV4 8DY

On 24th June we play Birmingham Bulldogs and we would like to invite everyone involved with the Bears past and present to attend and support the team in celebration of 25 years of the club since its inception in 1998 at Coventry RFC’s then Coundon Road ground.

We have achieved so much over the past 25 years and the club has grown from one senior men’s team to having delivered hundreds of sessions in local schools and setting up its own community foundation, to building a thriving junior section and new women’s and girls section. We have assisted in hosting big International games in the city such as the 4 nations and recent RLWC where the World Champions Australia stayed and trained in Coventry during the campaign, to the 4 nations tournament in 2016 both being played at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

We have risen from playing community rugby league in the rugby league conference to playing in 5 Harry Jepson Trophy Finals winning in 2002 and then winning the National 3rd Division in 2004. After playing 4 successful years in the NCL we then developed a successful professional business and transcended to play in Betfred League One for 7 years.

It has certainly been a fantastic journey with lots to celebrate.

FREE OPEN INVITATION To EVERYONE!

The Club Day will include, First Team Match from 2.30 pm then post match reception hosted in the Varsity pub at Warwick University afterwards.

Former players, juniors & parents, women’s players all past & present, Sponsors and of course supporters & friends who have been with us all these years are invited to come along. There is no ticket charge and watching and being part of the day is completely free. All we ask is that you come and wear your Bears colours and cheer the team on in the match!

Did you know? cLUB SHOP NOW OPEN

Did you know that we now have a new club shop which features a 1998 replica shirt to celebrate the clubs Anniversary. Our juniors and community will wear this jersey over coming seasons to further embed the clubs legacy.

Club Shop HERE