Women to play in new Midlands Super League

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COVENTRY BEARS NEW WOMENS FOR 2023

Coventry Bears had a hugely successful women’s team for over 12 years in that time we played teams from all across the country and in some cases the best teams from Bradford Bulls to Doncaster. During this time travel and funding became a challenge but now due to a huge resurgence in the Women’s game and Women’s sport things are changing! 

WOMENS SUPER LEAGUE MIDLANDS

All of the above coupled with the success of the Women’s Super League and the Women’s RLWC last year we have been approached as a club to develop a new team to enter a new league. The Women’s Super League Midlands!

So far there are a number of teams confirmed and fixtures have been set up between.

Coventry Bears

Cheltenham Phoenix

Leamington Royals

Telford Raiders

TRAINING NOW ON

Training will take place on Friday nights which is the evening we have chosen for training. Currently training is set for a 6.30pm meet for 6.45pm start on the rugby field to the rear of the Xcel Leisure Centre in Coventry CV4 8DY. Just walk through the middle corridor of the centre and you will see us on the fields to the back. This will potentially move to a later time (7.30pm) in mid May so our coaches and indeed perhaps some of you can also work with a new Girls section with u12-u16 girls teams also now being set up.

MATCHES

Currently dates are below for fixtures but we need your help we need players to get involved so please spread the word and bring more players along. 

TOTALLY FREE

The good bit is that membership is FREE to join the club and training is completely FREE and we will also have free training shorts and socks for you after you have attended some sessions.

TIME FOR ACTION

All I ask now is that you make contact to confirm your interest or not and confirm you can attend a training session in the next few weeks. It’s perfect for upskilling yourself as a current player playing rugby or are indeed new and want to try rugby league. Just come along.

Sessions are now on every Friday night 6.30pm at the Xcel Leisure Centre CV4 8DY.

We have a call to action on Facebook HERE but you can also please contact me direct on 

+447974 517519 on WhatsApp or text me on 07974517519

Alan Robinson

alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk

Coventry Bears Rugby League

Coventry Bears Coaches Pre Season Comments

Coaches Comments

With preseason launched last week we spoke to Coventry Bears coaches Mark Hyslop and Alex Brown.

Assistant Coach

You played for the Bears and enjoyed great success as a player and now will be joining the club as a coach. What are you looking forward to the most?

Mark - Being part of the Bears again! it’s not often you get to be a player at a club then become the coach when you retire. I’m looking forward to bringing the youth through and getting the Bears back to being the top team in the Midlands again.

How does it feel to work alongside a former team mate in Alex Brown?

Mark - When Alex phoned me and asked me it took me seconds to jump at this opportunity I have huge respect for Browny as a player who always put in 110% at training and playing so I know as a coach he will do exactly the same.

You have had a really successful season as Head coach in rugby union. What is your coaching style or philosophy?

Mark- I had a great season with Coventrians RFC my first season as head coach and we got promoted.

Mark - I believe in playing for each other, having good discipline, and a positive attitude. If you get those 3 things right then you have a good platform to work from.

Are there any exciting new players locally that we could see in a Bears shirt this year that you have recruited?

Mark - Dan Gover , Sean Roberts , and a few more local experienced players I know are coming to give it a go in pre season for us those guys will add some real value.

Could we see you on the field this year?

Mark - No, the body is far to beaten up now I’m double the age of these players now so I will be quite happy on the sidelines shouting instructions!

Are you aware and do you have any opinions about the opposition this year in the competition?

Mark - Not really, last time I met any of the teams in the Midlands competition I was in charge of Coventry Dragons that was over 5 years ago and it will be interesting to see how they have all developed since then and what the standard of rugby league in the competition is like now.

Its 25 years of the Bears this year do you have any top moments that stand out in your mind that you are proud of?

If I had to pick three massive moments in my career at Coventry Bears they would be:

1 Winning the national 3 comp

2 Being player of the tournament at Kilkenny 9s

3 And being asked to be assistant coach to Alex this season

Head Coach

Pre-season starts soon. What are you looking for from the players this year?

Alex - I'm looking for players who bring the right attitude to training and show they are hungry to earn a shirt for the 1st game.

Last season we had a very talented but inexperienced squad. How are things shaping up this year with the squad?

Alex - Im excited about this year because we have retained the majority of the squad from last year but added some really experienced players in key positions which has both strenghened us and added more depth to the squad.

Do you have a coaches target or goal this year that you would like to share?

The goal for me is to win games and build the clubs community legacy. Our focus will be on beating whoever we are up against week in week out while consistently building through the season to the playoffs and final. I believe the club has reached more Harry Jepson Trophy Finals than any other club so has a history of high standards it’s down to me now to keep up that great legacy while developing younger players and being the very best community club we can be.

Could we see you on the field this year?

Alex - not planning on it but if duty calls!

It’s 25 years of the Bears this year do you have any top moments that stand out in your mind that you are proud of?

Alex - my best memories are from 2004 being part of the team that won the National League Div 3 Grand Final v Woolston Rovers, it was just an amazing team, season and final with many great players.

Personally one of my favourite games was playing Kells away in Whitehaven in the NCL and almost beating them in Cumbria for 1st time in years I also picked up the man of the match that day, Not many clubs can compete in the NCL and gain the sort of respect we did as a club over a consistent period of time.

In general I’m really proud to be part of the clubs journey over the majority of those 25 years as a player and now coach. The club is buzzing once again and everyone is buying into those community values and culture all the way from Juniors to First team. I also can’t wait to support our new women’s & girls section this year. It’s all really exciting.

Do we have any matches planned before the season we can look forward to?

Alex- Yes we have a pre season game planned against Elmbridge Eagles from London who are another great club and we may also be looking to get another game in place. I’m really looking forward to putting the lads through their paces at pre season towards our first games in May.

Full Fixture List:

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MACLEOD GOES FOR SCOTLAND U18S

MACLEOD GOES FOR SCOTLAND U18’s

Coventry Bears under 18 winger Max MacLeod has been identified as eligible for Scotland u18s RL and has been invited to trials. He will begin his journey towards trials and hopeful selection this weekend when he travels to Edinburgh.

We are especially proud of Max as he suffered a very serious injury late last year with a concussion of the spine which meant he was confined to a wheelchair for nearly two weeks before his body recovered enough for him to walk again over the Christmas period.

Max worked hard and has continued to train and has returned to playing with his rugby union club Bugbrooke RFC in Northamptonshire.

A brave and fearless winger or fullback, Max was one of the clubs biggest attacking threats last summer and we wish him all the very best in his new journey to impress Scotland Rugby League.

Max is seeking sponsorship to assist in him travelling to training and if selected to assist in his travel and accommodation to international games versus Ireland, England and Wales u18s.

If any supporters or local companies are interested in supporting Max please make contact with us at

alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk

Coventry Bears Women & Girls to make a return?

Coventry Bears Launch Girls u14 & u16 Teams and maybe more?

Coventry Bears had a very successful women’s team for over 10 years. And with the resurgence of the women’s game could we see a return in the future?

Girls u14 & u16

Futures ProgrammE

This summer the Bears in the Community Foundation are setting up two new teams at u14 & u16 Girls. These girls teams are part of a new rugby league futures programme aimed at developing the women’s rugby league game for the future.

Two teams will be set up for the project which will start in May and run through the summer for up to 10 weeks. This will include training and friendly games versus other development areas.

We are now seeking expressions of interest from players, coaches and volunteers to get involved in this programme. Could this also be the beginning of a new Coventry Bears Women’s team?

Alan Robinson of Coventry Bears said:

“We had a really successful women’s team for many years led by Michelle Umaga and Debbie Drake. Back then it was a challenge due to the geographical position of most clubs but now and after the RLWC, interest has boomed. There are now role models like Jodie Cunningham and Amy Hardcastle for the game and what the England Women have done to raise the profile of the game has been amazing. It’s a great time to get involved, However we need more than just players to sustain a women’s and girls section if it is to be successful once more”

RFL National Women & Girls Development Manager Jodie Cunningham added:

“Rugby League should be a sport that is accessible to women and girls all over the country which is why we are supporting clubs and foundations across the country with the launch of regional leagues as part of the national pyramid alongside the Futures Programme to build a sustainable playing offer for young girls. Coventry women’s team fought many barriers to compete for many years and now we want to ensure we remove as many of these barriers as possible for more women and girls to access Rugby League across the Midlands.”

Debbie Drake

GET INVOLVED

Are you interested in getting involved in Women’s and Girls rugby league with Coventry Bears?

If so now is the time to express interest as it could forge the future of a new women’s and girls section of the club once again.

• Girls players u14 & u16 to join our Futures programme

• Open Age Women Rugby Players & other women interested in trying contact rugby league this summer

• New coaches and willing volunteers to get involved to help set up a new Coventry Bears Women & Girls Section.

CONTACT FORM

Why Sponsor Coventry Bears?

Why Sponsor a sports club?

The benefits of sponsorship to a sports club is wide-ranging, but at an amateur community level like Coventry Bears this can be very important as it basically provides more opportunities for people to play sport.

Sponsorship is actually the clubs only income on top of player membership and contributes towards facility costs, medical expenses and other kit and equipment costs. We don’t have our own club house or bar so finding sponsors is really important for our continued development and what we can offer the City.

What’s behind the Bears Brand?

The Bears have had a great journey as a rugby league club formed as a local team in 1998 at Coundon road in Coventry and since gone on to the great highs of representing the city as a professional club. Now we are a humble community club once again in our 25th anniversary year offering the opportunity to more people than ever to get involved in sport to both get fit, have fun and feel part of a sports club.

Why sponsor the Bears in 2023?

This year is the 25th anniversary year of Coventry Bears. We still have a men’s team and are offering the opportunity to more children across the city than ever with teams from under 10 to under 16 including specific girls teams at u14 and u16 levels. We also have a community foundation which delivers sport to schools, colleges and Universities and we have a close partnership with Try Tag Rugby Coventry & Warwickshire which has over 400 weekly participants.

What can the Bears do for my business?

Being a part of your local community through Coventry Bears can help increase your network. It will allow more people to become aware of what you do and through interactions not otherwise possible. This can be considered indirect networking or marketing. Naturally, by increasing your brand awareness, your business can also profit. You are making a real positive difference to your local community which obviously has a feel good factor! You are not only a sponsor but a valued partner of the Bears.

Below is an example of what we have achieved over the last few years. Across the Bears brand.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please click the button below to find out more.

Volunteering

Junior & Senior Coaches

We are seeking volunteers to get involved with the club as coaches for one of our many age groups. If you would like to get involved please get in touch using the link to our form below.

First Team Midlands MENs Premier Kit & EQUIPMENT Manager

We are seeking a Kit Manager who can work with our Men’s First Team. This involves management of kit and equipment and working with our men’s first team on match days May-August and on one training night during the week. (Thursdays) no experience necessary.

Club Ground Maintenance Support Volunteer

We are seeking a volunteer to assist the club with pitch marking and general ground maintenance for match days. No experience necessary.

Club Photography & Media Volunteer

We are seeking volunteers who wish to get involved in promoting the club and its brand in the media. Social media experience helpful.

Community Sponsorship Support Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers who can assist the club in finding local community sponsorship. No experience needed just a positive attitude and interest in helping the club raise sponsorship and much needed funding.

If interested please get in touch through our form in our volunteer section below.

Volunteer Junior Coaches

Coventry Bears Seek more Junior Volunteer Coaches

This year Coventry Bears will run a number of junior age groups for a 8-10 week summer programme from May to June. This years programme includes training on Wednesday evenings at the Xcel Leisure Centre and attendance to local Midlands festivals. We have dedicated coaches for u10 and u11s but we are now seeking coaches for u12, u13 age groups so these age groups can continue to develop.

Would you like to get involved in helping the club as a junior coach?

Please get in touch if you would like to help or get involved in any way to allow our summer programme to continue to be a success.

Email

alan.robinson@coventrybears.co.uk

Junior section

https://www.coventrybears.com/juniors

Hyslop Joins Coventry Bears Coaching Team

Mark Hyslop New Assistant Coach 2023

We are delighted to announce that Mark “Sloppy” Hyslop will join the club as assistant coach working alongside Head coach Alex Brown. 

Hyslop was part of the Coventry Bears National Division 3 championship team back in 2004. A talented outside back playing mainly at fullback he featured heavily for many years to come in local rugby league circles both with Coventry Bears and Coventry Dragons.

Mark Hyslop playing for Coventry Bears winning the Kilkenny 9s and accepting the player of the tournament award for the All Ireland Tournament in 2008/9.

Mark Hyslop with a signature offload

"Alex Brown Bears Head Coach said: “Really pleased to add sloppy to the coaching team. Being a former Bears player and team mate it is a great fit and I'm really pleased he is onboard. Sloppy has been coaching rugby union more recently but previously coaching league with Coventry dragons. He brings so much to the club and our growing squad of players, his addition really helps us look to build on what we started last year and importantly help our players develop and club grow in the local area again.”

Mark Hyslop said: “I cant wait to get stuck in for the new season, I have really been enjoying coaching so far this season and couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with Alex and the Bears again in rugby league”

Mark Hyslop & Alex Brown both part of the Coventry Bears National Division 3 winning team

Coventry Bears 2022 Coaching team

Coventry Bears are delighted to announce that Alex Brown & Peter Ryan have been appointed to take the club forward in 2022 as a new Open Age Men’s Coaching team of the Midlands community club. Both are uniquely positioned to take the club forward and assist in the development of a new legacy and new players in the game.

The club will play in the local Midlands Premier competition with the new league structure and dates to soon be announced by the RFL.

Alex Brown Head Coach

Brown has been involved with the club since 2001. After playing the game at Coventry University he represented England Students and was a member of the 2004 Division 3 Championship winning team that many Bears fans will be familiar with. A natural leader, hooker and halfback he then went on to play in the NCL and was the first local player to be announced for the Coventry Bears League One team making his professional debut in 2015. Brown also spent a number of years coaching the club in League One before stepping back and focusing on his young family.

Alex commented;

"It’s great to be back with the Bears in a coaching capacity for this new era. After years of playing and coaching with the club before and having a bit of time out I'm really excited to be back and looking forward to building a new team & providing a good club environment for locals to play and develop their game."

Peter Ryan Assistant Coach

Ryan came to Coventry in 2016 where he studied at Coventry University and earned himself a sports scholarship while playing for Ireland students. He quickly progressed and made his debut soon after making a name for himself as a hard hitting and tough front rower. Peter transitioned to the Midlands Hurricanes and is still a valuable link to the Bears and it’s legacy. He is a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and is perfect to support Alex Brown in taking the legacy of the club forward especially in what is a rugby league World Cup year. Peter will be giving something back to the community while striving to win a squad position for Ireland at the end of the year.

BECOME A BEAR IN 2022
You can register interest to play for Coventry Bears in the Midlands Premier Competition below and we will make contact. Preseason is set to begin late March with the new season beginning late April.

Training will be Thursdays and Saturdays in preseason with players expected to become amateur community club members. More details will follow with a launch night announced soon where you can come along and meet the club and coaches.

BEARS RE-LAUNCH AS COMMUNITY CLUB

Coventry Bears is set to re-launch in 2022 as a Midlands community club and we need you! The club is seeking open age players who wish to get involved in playing in the local Midlands competition.

The club is also seeking volunteers in particular a team manager for our new open age first team.

We will soon announce the Coventry Bears new head coach who will lead the new era for the club from 2022.

You can register interest by filling in our form below.

REGISTER INTEREST IN GETTING INVOLVED