30 seconds with…Reece Rance

Over the next few weeks, we’re getting to know a few of the stars of our recent season launch video a little better, starting today with flying winger Reece Rance.

If ever there was a moment in the 2018 season of Betfred League 1 action that convinced Coventry Bears fans of Reece Rance’s talent and athletic ability, it was 15 seconds of magic in early September.

North Wales Crusaders were in town, on the attack and on their last tackle. As you would expect, they sent a kick into the Coventry air and moved up in a line towards the Bears player who was poised and ready to catch it.

That player was Reece Rance and he catch it, he did. But, that wasn’t all.

Then, he did this.

.@coventrybearsrl don't you just love it when this happens...... pic.twitter.com/47mR43e3tu

— Martin Watson (@MartinWVideos) September 9, 2018

15 seconds later, Reece had beaten half of opposition and raced the length of the Butts Park Arena to score a scintillating try. It was athletic, thrilling and nothing short of fantastic.

“All I wanted to do was just beat the kick chaser,” Reece explained, “I got past him, saw a gap, ran for that, thought I was going to get tackled, put a step on and realised that I had the full pitch to run.

“I just kept on pumping and ended up scoring - I was quite surprised with it but really pleased!”

We recently announced that Reece has re-signed to the Bears for the 2019 season, so fans will be hoping he carries on where he left off last year.

Reece joined us with an injury, so unfortunately missed much of the early part of 2018. However, as his try against the Crusaders showed, he managed to get back to full fitness and pull off an excellent second half of the year.

He said: “I’m happy to be signing for the Bears for a second year and look forward to starting the season from the off this time around having missed out on parts of last year due to injury. 

“There’s a great structure in place here at the club, proven by some top quality performances from the team in the previous season and I’m looking forward to being a part of more performances like that in the upcoming season.”

Bears head coach Tom Tsang added: “Reece was unlucky with injuries last season and as a result wasn’t able to get a full pre-season under his belt, but once he gained fitness, he turned into an outstanding option for us on the wing, scoring many memorable tries. 

“I am looking forward to another year working with Reece and seeing if we can add some more elements to his game. He has both the mental and physical attributes we look for in a player and has a lot more potential than he has shown so far.”

Now, Bears fans everywhere can’t wait for the next time Reece finds some open field to run into.

Reece Rance is available for sponsorship in 2019 - click here to explore all of our fantastic sponsorship packages.

Fixtures for the 2019 season will be released on Sunday 25 November - if you want to join us for the next year of rugby league in Coventry, then snap up your season ticket now. They include access to all of our Betfred League 1 home matches, any home pre-season games, access to a members’ bar and free parking at all home games.

Property Buying Company Sponsors the Bears

The Property Buying Company Sponsor Coventry Bears

We are delighted to announce Leeds company the Property Buying Company as a new major Gold sponsor of the club who will feature on the upper back area of our jerseys.

Bears Alan Robinson said; “I am delighted to announce the Property Buying Company as a new major sponsor. It shows that our brand is starting to transcend the local area and its great that a national company sees the value in that. I cant wait to work with them in the future”

Chris Hemmingway from the company said; “We’re delighted to now be official sponsors for the Coventry Bears. As we work nationally, we’re always on the look-out for worthy teams to support and, as we’re big fans of rugby league, it just made sense to begin this relationship.”

Here at The Property Buying Company we know that life can change at the drop of a hat. Whether you’re a landlord feeling the pinch of increased taxes or you’ve inherited a property and have no desire to keep it, we can help.

We offer a cash sum for your property and can complete the sale in a timescale to suit you. We manage all of the legal fees so the amount we offer you is the amount you will receive. Although we are unable to offer the market value of your property, we will offer you a fair price.

From flats in need of renovation through to luxury mansions, we’ve bought and sold every type of property in the last few years. Our experienced call handlers will maintain contact with sellers at every step of the way and transparency is at the heart of everything we do, making us one of the most trusted property buying companies in the UK.

So – if you need to sell your property quickly, without the stress of the open market and all the legal jargon, then look no further. We look forward to following the success of the Coventry Bears and are on-hand for any fans who want to benefit from our services.

www.thepropertybuyingcompany.co.uk

To get involved as a sponsor please check out our opportunities HERE

Orgbar Renews Sponsorship for 2019

Local company renews sponsorship for 2019

We are delighted to announce Solihull company Orgbar Alluminium as a new Gold Sponsor for the 2019 season. Their brand will feature on the lower back of our playing jerseys.

Orgbar Operations Director Colin Crisp said; I am a massive Rugby League fan and a season ticket holder at the Bears , It is a fantastic club with truly amazing people running it , I am so pleased we are able to renew our sponsorship deal for 2019 and look forward to the new season both as a sponsor but more importantly as a fan. Orgbar Managing Director Dana Krauze also added, We are Delighted to renew our sponsorship deal with The Bears for a third season , The Bears are a fantastically progressive club both on and off the field, doing amazing work in the community and we look forward to working with them again next Year

The link with Coventry Bears came from an after match conversation between Orgbar’s Colin Crisp and Bears CEO Alan Robinson back in 2016 , where Colin indicated that Orgbar would like to become involved in some way. Alan & Colin quickly worked out a deal that worked for everyone. Since then the partnership has grown to where we are today,  and Orgbar are proud to once again be one of Coventry Bears sponsors for the 2019 Season.

Alan Robinson said; “Orgbar are a great example of an active sponsor and we both benefit greatly from each others brand so its a great fit and id like to thank Colin and Dana for their continued support of the club.”

Orgbar  Aluminium is Supplier of Aluminium Extrusions and Machined Aluminium components, we also offer a full finishing service, including Polishing, Anodising and Powder Coating. Don’t hesitate to visit our website or contact us with any enquiries.

http://www.orgbar.com/

To find out more about sponsoring the Bears please have a look at our sponsors section HERE

Prison Service Pre-Season Game

Coventry Bears vs HMPS Rugby League Crusaders

Pre-season friendly/ training match (Not open to the public due to venue restrictions)

Sunday 16th December 1.30 pm Kick Off 

Tom Tsang said: 

We are less than a week away from the start of our full-preseason training and, with a few new players joining the squad, we felt it would be useful to get an early training match into our schedule to test the new combinations and try to pick back up from the end of last season. We wanted a tough and physical match-up and that is what we are hoping for, from the Prison Service team. We already have a link with former Bear Richie Hughes in the prison service and the club still trains at Newbold Revel the national prison service college in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Sam Roe, Manager of HMPS RL said:

We are really looking forward to playing a side of Coventry's quality. We have re-formed recently and are the up and coming service side who want to make a mark. We are hoping to be competitive during the game and show what we can do against a professional side. We aren't too worried about a result but how we perform. Hopefully the game will get us some publicity to attract more fixtures for us in the future.

Prison Service Rugby League

Freeman Re-Signs for 2019

Bears Top Scorer Re-Signs for 2019

TT: Hayden has been our top try scorer over the last 2 seasons and has really developed into a fantastic League 1 winger with 32 try’s in 55 games. He has good top line speed and carries very well into contact. Towards the end of the 2018 season, Hayden even spent some time in the centre position, adding another string to his bow. We still see him as a great winger first and foremost, but will work with him to develop other areas of his game to make him more versatile and increase his attacking threat further. 

HF: I'm really excited to sign for my fourth season at the Bears. I've seen myself improve year on year and felt I had a strong contribution in 2018. Credit to all the fans who have stuck by the players and staff throughout the years, plus thank you to my personal sponsor Midland Fuel Oil for their support the last two seasons. I look forward to seeing everyone at our matches in 2019. 

New Halfback joins the Bears

Callum Merrett - Halfback

TT: We recently held our annual trial day and the standard was again very high, with some players really standing out. Callum was probably the most 'League 1 ready' player at the trial, showing some really nice touches and good level of skill. He is a scrumhalf and has come from a Rugby Union background, picking up Rugby League while studying at Gloucestershire University and he was the star player for the Gloucester All Golds during their 2018 Harry Jepson Trophy winning season. He is a skillful player with pace and footwork. League 1 will be a step up for him, but working with our other halves, I can see him improving quickly and getting lots of opportunity to play. 

CM: I thought the trial was very well structured and also very competitive which is a good example of what is to come in future training sessions. It gave me every chance to prove what I could do and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to play at league 1 level. During the season I want to start pushing for a starting spot in the squad and hopefully pick up a fair amount of game time. I’m really excited to get to know everyone at Coventry Bears and start training with them, also I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given and excited to show what I can offer and hopefully benefit the team as much as I can. Going off last season playing for Gloucestershire All Golds and for Gloucestershire uni rugby league to now  playing in league 1 in the 2019 season is a massive challenge for me but I cant wait to get into training and get to work.

Errol Carter Re-Signs for 2019

Errol Carter Re-Signs

Errol Carter - Wing/ Fullback

TT: Errol had a good first year with the Bears in 2018, pushing from squad member to first team regular and had a number of memorable games. He is a hardworking outside back, confident under the high ball and with great footwork. He has also picked up international honours this season, representing Turkey RL in the Emerging Nations Cup and England Universities Rugby Union 7s. He is another re-signing and so brings further continuity from this past season.

EC: I'm looking forward to be signed with the bears for another season. Last year we had some great wins that shocked alot of people and we can hopefully do that again this year and carry on the form we had at back end of season . I'm looking forward to joining up with the the boys again and having a full pre season.

England Student Joins the Bears

Bears Sign Loughborough and England Student Elliott Hall

TT: Elliot is a great signing for us and adds depth to our back-line following the loss of Jason Bass who has signed for York in the Championship. Elliot has been on my radar for a while, as he is a student at Loughborough University and played in the same England Universities side as Jason in last years Student World Cup - ending up as one of the tournament's top try scorers. In 2018 he signed for London Skolars, featuring 14 times and scoring 7 tries including one against the Bears. He has great pace, good awareness and skill - he will challenge immediately for a starting shirt.

EH: I am grateful for the opportunity to play for the Coventry Bears for the 2019 season. Under the strong guidance of Tom Tsang & his coaching staff, my goals are to make a strong contribution to the team so we can collectively improve week on week. I look forward to pre-season & preparing for a successful year ahead.

Join us for 2019!

Coventry Bears Rugby League club has today launched its campaign for the 2019 season of Betfred League 1 action.

The #ForTheNext campaign aims to build on the club’s highly successful 20th anniversary season in 2018 and look ahead to the next, exciting chapter.

The club kicked off the campaign with a video that stars Bears players, fans, staff and volunteers, and is fronted by Coventry actor Cameron Moon.

The video also highlights some of the links the Bears have with the Coventry community - as it also features contributions from Coventry University, Try Tag Rugby Coventry and Warwickshire, and one of the Bears’ local sponsors.

And, it features match action from the 2018 season, with commentary courtesy of BBC Coventry and Warwickshire’s Joshua Cook.

Alan Robinson, Bears founder and owner, said: “The 2018 season was an incredible year for the club. Not only did we celebrate our 20th anniversary but we marked it with a history-making run to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup, our first wins against traditional northern clubs and by breaking our club attendance record twice in the space of six months - all done on a shoestring budget and with a squad of almost entirely Midlands-based players.

“2019 is about building on our strong foundations and starting an exciting new chapter, which is why we’ve launched our For The Next campaign. We’re excited about everything next season has to offer and we’re ready for whatever it throws at us.

“The campaign launch video will give everyone a great idea of what this club is about and where we’re heading - and hopefully it will inspire a few people to join us and pick up a season ticket to roar us on in 2019!”

Coventry actor Cameron Moon, who fronts the campaign video, added: “I was thrilled to be part of the Bears’ For The Next campaign. Filming at the Butts Park Arena brought back lots of memories of running around the old Butts track when I was a teenager!

“The Bears have got loads going for them at the moment and I couldn’t help but sense everyone’s excitement for the 2019 season - I can’t wait to come along and watch a few games myself!”

Coventry Bears season tickets for 2019 are on sale now. They are £105 for adults, £95 concessions and £35 for 12-18 year olds.

Included with every season ticket is entry to all of the club’s Betfred League 1 home matches in 2019, any home pre-season games, free parking at home matches and access to the club’s members’ bar overlooking the pitch.

Fixtures for the 2019 season will be released by the RFL on Sunday 25 November.

Bears Sign Young Loose Forward

Leon Harber - loose-forward

TT: Leon has moved to Coventry from Wigan, to study at the University. Back home, Leon was a part of Wigan Warriors' highly successful Scholarship and Academy system. He is a no nonsense, tough running loose forward and is another player who is young, but with a great background and willing to work hard and wants to improve. He will add good depth to an already strong position for us and I am looking forward to working with him.