OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

v Uni of Gloucester All Golds Sunday 21st February 2016 IPRO CUP Kick Off 2pm

2 Club Sponsor Programme Sponsor league Sponsor Issue Who’s Who At The Bears

From Alan Robinson Bears Managing Director

Welcome to todays match time in 2016 but to see the and the Butts Park Arena once three big trophies brought more. Today is the beginning down by Rhinos on BEARS V ALL GOLDS of our competative season the day. We had some great and we take the field versus comments and photos taken Sky and Navy COLOURS Black one of our southern rivals the by supporters. University of Gloucester All HEAD COACH Tom Tsang Lee Greenwood Golds. One story that stood out to MANAGING DIRECTOR Conor Kelly MANAGER me was from a grandparent Alan Robinson The All Golds have had a good who had brought down some Mark Sloan & Jonny Tuson ASST COACHS Simon Phillips preseason and will be well of her grandchildren from CLUB PRESIDENT Ron Banks SQUAD SQUAD prepared for us but we have Templars primary school in been busy focusing on our- Tile Hill. It was their first ever Dave Weston 1 1 Jonny Leather VICE PRESIDENTS selves in our own preseason game and they had been Ron Banks Jamahl Hunte 2 2 Chris Barlow games and have taken alot invited by their coach James Hugh Brown Michael Shires from both the games we have Geurtjens who has been deliv- Eddie Medforth 3 3 Josh Allison played. ering our sky try programme CLUB CAPTAIN Jason Bass 4 4 Lewis Reece at their primary school. The 4 James Geurtjens Last week we came away children waited quietly after 5 5 Hayden Freeman Phil Cowburn comfortable winners but what the match to meet James FIRST GRADE HEAD COACH Tom Tsang Jay Lobwein 6 6 stood out the most to me was and the other players but the number of young players then their screams of delight ASSISTANT COACHES Craig White 7 7 Brendon Newton who played very well at this could be heard at the top of Mark Sloan & Jonny Tuson James Geurtjens 8 8 Ollie Purslow level. Young men like Trae the stand when Geurtjo came Osullivan, Hayden Freeman out to meet the kids. Their FIRST TEAM HEAD PHYSIO 9 9 Richie Hughes (c) Steve Parry (c) and Elliot Norman all had grandma said it was the best James Neal good games it is really pleas- day out she had ever had with 10 10 Jack Morrison Joe McLean ing to see as I can remember the children which absolutley TEAM MANAGER Conor Kelly Liam Thompson 11 11 Morgan Evans seeing all of these guys as jun- made my day. iors up at the Xcel Leisure cen- 12 12 KIT MAN Jono Milizewski Emmerson Whittel tre. They have come through Lets hope today we can create Rob Easthope Matt Reid 13 13 Alex Davidson the Midlands Academy and some more special moments back to the Bears and all have and it can be a day to remem- FINANCE DIRECTOR Elliott Holton 14 14 Rory Sharratt demonstrated great instincts ber against a local rival. Debbie Watson that will stand them in good Alex Beddows 15 15 Harrison Elliott VIDEO stead going forward in League Martin Watson Trae OSullivan 16 16 Aaron Lyons one. I certainly dont think we Alan Robinson have seen the last of them at MATCH DAY MANAGEMENT Chris Barratt 17 17 Dan Poulton the BPA this season. Sam Collier Maureen Collier Gavin Grant 18 18 Brad Kislingbury It was also great to see how HEAD BALL BOY excited our supporters were Jack Johnston last weekend not just to see VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR the Bears in action for the first Chris Johnston Referee: Reserve: Touch Judge: Touch Judge: Match Commissioner: T GRANT A BARNABY N WALKER J JONES A BARNABY ROAR POWER 2016 SEASON For more information please go to our website atwww.coventrybears.com With Tom Tsang Bears Head Coach

Its always difficult to read overall we were much we do not have the luxury too much into pre-season slicker. We put ourselves of rotating our substitutes friendlies - each team into good positions to as freely as we have in the is testing out different score, and we were able past two weeks. systems, combinations to make the most of those The players who have and players. What you chances. been selected to play look for as a coach, is We conceded one try, today have been given progression and growth which was disappointing the first opportunity to in individual players and and we have really nail down a their spot in the team as a whole, from focused in on our the game day 17 for the game to game. defensive processes to rest of the season and This was by far the most ensure we improve in that they will all be wanting to pleasing part of last area. make the most of it. week’s win over Oxford I will be looking for a in comparison to our similar improvement in loss the week before today’s match against the against Rochdale. The All Golds. They will be a combinations we have much bigger test than worked on in training what Oxford posed last were a bit smoother, our week, and with it being a timing was better and competitive cup match,

ROAR POWER 2016 SEASON 05 OPPOSITION VENUE DATE KICK OFF RESULT UNI OF GLOUCESTER ALL GOLDS HOME iPro Cup SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21ST 2.00PM AWAY CCup SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28TH 13.30PM AWAY SATURDAY MARCH 5TH 3.30PM HOME SUNDAY MARCH 13TH 3.00PM UNI OF GLOUCESTER ALL GOLDS AWAY FRIDAY MARCH 25TH 7.30PM HOME SUNDAY APRIL 10TH 3.00PM CITY KNIGHTS AWAY SUNDAY APRIL 17TH 3.00PM SKOLARS AWAY SATURDAY APRIL 23RD 6.00PM KEIGHLEY COUGARS HOME SUNDAY MAY 8TH 3.00PM DONCASTER RLFC HOME SATURDAY MAY 14TH 3.00PM AWAY SUNDAY MAY 22ND 2.30PM BYE WEEK BYE WEEK WEEKEND MAY 28TH/29TH OXFORD RLFC HOME SATURDAY JUNE 11TH 3.00PM

HUNSLET HAWKS AWAY SUNDAY JUNE 19TH 3.00PM HOME SATURDAY JUNE 25TH 3.00PM CRUSADERS AWAY SUNDAY JULY 3RD 3.00PM We provide a variety of tools and services to help our SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS HOME SATURDAY JULY 9TH 3.00PM customer succeed in their goals. MORE FIXTURES WILL BE DRAWN FOLLOWING THE SOUTH WALES MATCH

Working nationally with a variety of Schools, Clubs and Community groups we offer a range of Apprenticeships, Qualification and Development opportunities across the sport and education sector. League One League Table 2016 P W L D PF PA DIFF PTS

1 Toulouse Olympique 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2 Doncaster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 Keighley Cougars 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 Hunslet Hawks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 Rochdale Hornets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

8 Barrow Raiders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Newcastle Thunder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 University of Gloucestershire All Golds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11 Oxford RLFC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 Season0 tickets0 0 sold0 online0 13 0 0 at0 www.coventrybears.com0 0 0 0 0 14 ROARHemel POWER Stags 2015 SEASON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 South Wales Scorpions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 070 EVERYBODY WANTS TO A SUccESSfUL 2015 RULE THE WORLD By Michael Shires 2015 was a vintage year Zealand Kiwis 2-1 in a three Dacia, TalkSport2 and Batch- By Michael Shires for the sport. Not only did match test series. The test elors Mushy Peas bringing Coventry Bears make their match series against New much needed exposure and professional debut but a Zealand saw the largest commercial resource into new structure to the game crowds for a three game the game that is well placed with the tag line “Every Min- series against New Zealand to continue its expansion in By the time you are reading and resurrected in 2000 when for team but the ute Matters” was introduced in living memory with a first 2016. The opening round of this article the first two games Storm defeated St toughest challenge faces Leeds following the scrapping of ever game at the Queen Super League fixtures were in Dacia World Club Series will Helens 44-6. Following this the Rhinos this evening as they licensing. Whilst no-one Elizabeth Stadium in London played in front of sizeable have taken place. I dearly hope one off game was dominated take on NRL champions North that both St Helens and by British teams with notable Queensland Cowboys. achieved promotion to the attracting over 44,000. crowds and the opening Warriors will have completed victories for Leeds, Bradford and The Rhinos, whose magnificent First Utility Super League, Positive signs indeed as the match of Leeds v notable victories against Sydney St Helens over the years. trophies we welcomed to the the season was considered game re-connected with its was an absolute humdinger Roosters and With the rise in popularity of Butts last week, are taking part to be a major success. fan base. of a game to kick the season to help restore some pride to the NRL in the UK the games’ in a record breaking 7th World Crowds at all professional The tag line for the 2016 off. With increased coverage Northern Hemisphere Rugby. administrators realised there Club Challenge and will be hop- levels of the game increased, season is from broadcasting partners The Dacia World Club Series can was a huge demand to watch ing to make history by winning media exposure expanded, “This is our time”. Early Sky and BBC the game has trace its origins back to 1976 the NRL’s top sides in action; a 4th World Club title. Current the Grand Final was a sell- signs for this to ring true rarely been as optimistic when St Helens played Eastern and so the World Club Series, form does not bode well with Suburbs (the forebears of the involving 3 teams from the Leeds currently bottom of the out classic between Leeds are promising. The RFL about its prospects. Long ) in a friendly Super League and 3 teams from table and facing an injury crisis and Wigan and the has secured significant new may it continue. that was unofficially billed as the the NRL, was born last season. with 7 first team players current- national team defeated the sponsorships with major . Eastern Warrington and Wigan narrowly ly injured. But, special things world ranked No 1 - New multi-national car brand Suburbs won the game 25-2 and lost their games against St can happen on that Headingley in typical Rugby League style George Illawarra Dragons and midden with the South Stand that was that until 1987. In that Brisbane Broncos respectively roaring the Rhinos home. year Wigan beat Manly in a low whilst Hopefully one day the Bears will scoring 8 - 2 affair that reignited easily disposed of St Helens. be able to take part in the World the World Club Challenge. The The Ryder Cup of Rugby League Club Series. Just imagine the concept was played regularly was a huge commercial success World’s best coming to Coventry until 1994 when the Super pulling in sell out crowds and under the floodlights, we can League war erupted with a garnering the sport tremendous but dream. Meanwhile we have competition wide World Club publicity. our own cup competition to Series in 1997. This season sees a formidable focus on today against the All The 1997 competition repre- line up of games, with St Helens Golds, the longest journeys start sented a real nadir for Northern playing Sydney Roosters 40 with a single step, so on that Hemisphere Rugby that exposed years on the from their game in note, Play up Bears! the different playing strength of 1976 before Wigan and Brisbane the clubs down under. After this clash at the DW Stadium. Both the competition was put on ice of these games will be tough

ROAR POWER 2016 SEASON 09 FROM THE PRESIDENT BY rON bANKS

It’s cup time!, not only this week quantity but is confident that so Their captain Jack Aldous has made when we play in the iPro cup but long as they focus on what they do no secret that he is keen to get his next week too when the Tetley Chal- best they will see a win. hands on some silverware. lenge cup starts for the professional KEIGHLEY are another side “We want to win everything this clubs. struggling a little with injuries and season, we have the squad and I You have the advantage of me dear reserve grade hooked Christopher believe we can make a clean sweep” reader as by the time you read these Cullimore is likely to get the nod. he said! notes we will all be aware of the On Sunday BARROW host ROCH- Another local derby features last draw for that august competition. DALE HORNETS and both teams week’s visitors here OXFORD RL The draw takes place after I will have set out their stalls to have a welcome back 3 players who missed have sent in this piece. better season than last year. Barrow last week’s game against us and are In both competitions there are coach Paul Crarey has even been also hoping to announce in the very some very good amateur sides quoted as saying he wants to reach near future a dual registration deal taking part. the final in Blackpool. Local ex with a Superleague club. Apparent- Yesterday Newcastle Thunder were Superleague star Oliver Wilkes has ly it’s a done deal with just a few due to host Leigh Miners Rangers joined the club from Leigh where he wrinkles to be sorted. They were and Wath Brow Hornets were enter- was team captain last year. originally drawn at home to HEMEL taining Keighley Cougars. Potential ROCHDALE gave had a mixed STAGS but asked for the fixture to banana skins for the pro clubs. preseason with a couple of good be reversed as their old pitch at Iff- Today we welcome Gloucestershire wins under their belts token the ley Rd isn’t available and their new All Golds to the BPA in the iPro cup, opportunity of having a week off ground at Abingdon won’t be ready last year we had the misfortune after beating us last week. for a few weeks yet. So the fixture to draw Oldham away in both DONCASTER who were relegated was switched to Hemels Pennine competitions, we certainly drew the last season are trying to bounce Way ground. Now in a further twist short straw with those two fixtures. straight back up have been training Pennine Way isn’t playable so the Let’s hope we do a little better this with their partner club Hull King- game will moved to Maidenhead time around. ston Rovers. They may call in some RU! In the other ties this week.. players from there on dual regis- As reported above HEMEL STAGS LONDON SKOLARS face South tration. They are up against NORTH had a good win in South Wales Wales Scorpions. Skolars are strug- WALES CRUSADERS this week and last week and Coach Troy Perkins gling for bodies. Coach Jermaine Cruise prepared with a close run believe that his side will cause a few Coleman reports that he has 7 or victory against our visitors today. upsets this time around. 8 players who might not be quite They have struggled to play pretty ready at this time but should be season friendlies due to the weather available for the start of the league and last week’s tough outing will season. have helped knock off some of the SOUTH WALES are hoping to have rough edges. Brad Hill, Chris Davies and Chris HUNSLET HAWKS were the other Vitalini fit to play. The trio all missed relegated team and coach Matt out on last week’s home friendly Bramald has been quotes as defeat to Hemel Stags. saying that whilst defeat this week As quoted above NEWCASTLE play won’t make or break their season the amateurs from Leighton, coach it will give a good indication of Michael Mantelpiece knows that the where they are as they face tough opposition are a bit of an unknown opposition in YORK CITY KNIGHTS.

ROAR POWER 2015 SEASON 11 Coventry bears 42 OXFORD 4 pre-season MATCH REPORT

The Coventry Bears ended their eight minutes later for his second Aldred crashed over form 10 meters pre-season preparations with a try of the game, moments after the out to make the final score 42-4 to comfortable 42-4 win over Oxford ball had been held up. Coventry. on Saturday at a busy Butts Park Arena. The first half misery for Oxford was An impressive win for the Bears as compounded when at 30-0 down, they look to continue they’re form The tone for the game was set in number 28 Josh Nathaniel was into next weeks game against the WE ARE A FULL SERVICE the early stages, when following an sin binned for back chatting the University of Gloucester All Golds in Oxford knock, Eddie Medworth was referee. the IPRO Sport Cup next week, and allowed over in the corner. then into the full season against Coventry looked to start the second Toulouse on March 5th. DESIGN & PRINT AGENCY half in a similar vein to the first and From that moment on the Bears came close to scoring in the 43rd took control of the first half and minute, but it was Oxford who NOT JUST AN ANOTHER PRINT COMPANY added to there lead just 3 minutes scored first after Coventry had fallen later when an inside ball allowed short at one end, Jorge Richardson James Geurtjens to touch down. made sure for Oxford to close the The lead could have been extended gap to 26 points. further but a knock on in a promis- ing position made the Bears wait for their third try. Coventry weren’t on the back foot for long however, and the lead was quickly extended after yet more They didn’t have to wait long ill discipline in defence by Oxford however as three minutes later a lead to Hayden Freeman scoring his good defensive set in Oxfords half second try under the posts. gave Matt Reid the opportunity to collect a grubber on the fifth tackle to score. From kick off the Bears With the game all but won, showed great power through the Coventry took the opportunity to middle, converting their very next give the whole squad a run out set into four more points. with string of substitutions in the second half. Oxford showed more intent in the second half, creating Oxford were finding it hard to retain more opportunities, but ultimately any form of shape in the first half, failing to break the Bears defensive and as a result the tries were com- line again. The second half fell into ing fast, when in the twenty-first a more subdued pace, with both minute another defensive knock teams focusing on completion. A on allowed Coventry the ball in a forward pass in the build up would promising position. It was an op- deny Coventry extending their lead HUMAN CREATIVITY portunity the Bears would not pass further, and they would have to wait up, with Jamahl Hunte going over until 8 minutes from time before in the corner. The Huddersfield born they would finally add 6 more winger would be over again just points to the score line, when John ROBOTIC RELIABILITY

123 HIGH STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B12 0JU

www.taaks.co.uk 0121 227 7479 [email protected] League one a new structure By Michael Shires

A little closer to home the success of third play off for a place in the second opportunity for us to secure some sil- the new structure has been replicated play-off final with the victors securing verware in the second half of the sea- in Kingstone Press League 1 with the promotion. son. Either way keep your weekends 2016 season seeing the introduction The bottom seven after 15 rounds, free in July, August and September of a divisional split after 15 rounds. will play for the inaugural League 1 to catch some exciting action down Following the split the top eight Shield, with home and away games here at the Butts Park Arena. Bring teams in the Bears’ division will play after the 15 round split. First and the family and make a day of it. each other once and the top two second after those seven rounds will after these seven rounds will battle go head-to-head for the League 1 it out for the first promotion spot to Shield. the Kingstone Press Championship. Whilst clearly we would want to be The loser enters a four-team play-off in the top eight, if we do not make against fifth-place whilst second and it the new structure will provide an

ROAR POWER 2015 SEASON 13 With Conor Kelly - Bears in the Community Manager

With James Oddy

I’ve been a fan of rugby league for most think most people in the game always of doing just that. From that point on of my life. I remember watching games on want expansion to work, both short term everyone involved with the club has been TV, the early days of super league on sky and long term. Yet regular, embarrassing unbelievably welcoming, open, honest and and ties on the BBC. I didn’t failures, with clubs outside of the supposed generous. really understand everything that was ‘heartlands’ going to the wall, had left many happening at first. I just understood it was cynical about what expansion could and The book itself is going well and all being loud, colourful and exciting, with exotic would achieve. well should be out around wintertime team names and exotic sounding players this year. Hearing about the trials and running out. Then I went to my first live I always felt that the clubs that did fail were tribulations which people like Alan game, at Headingly, and everything I had plant pots, artificial areas where the sport Robinson, Tom Tsang and Ron Banks seen on TV was amplified. The players were was placed with the hope it would quickly have been through both personally and huge, bigger than most people I’d ever see, grown. Yet I was aware that some clubs professionally has been eye opening to say yet seemed to be able to run twice as fast had been started up in the midlands and the least. as well. The fans never stopped singing, the south that had become an important but before and after the game both sets part of their community, and in areas that Writing it has completely reignited my seemed to be having a laugh and a joke seemed to have great opportunities for passion for the sport that was starting to with each other in the sunshine. growth, and had done so organically. ebb away slightly, as I have seen other Firstly allow me to welcome you all We are also now officially England Rugby looking to grow our school and people have the same enthusiasm and love back to the Butts Park Arena for the League Player Development Partners volunteer network. From that point on I was hooked, and got Coventry always stood out to me because I used to have. 2016 season. It has been an exciting off through the Embed the Pathway scheme my hands on everything rugby league they seemed to have a really solid support season for community development which allows us to develop players at a I hope that you enjoy todays game and I related. Programmes, books, shirts, base and they seemed very visible. The kits I sincerely believe that the Bears have the around Coventry as we have continued high level within a secondary school and look forward to updating you on further magazines, posters. I was a marketing and branding were very distinctive and ability to have a good season this year, but to grow our Sky Try programme. junior club environment. departments dream fan. As I got older, always really stuck in my mind. also a good long-term future. The people developments within the community the social significance of the game in the of Coventry are sports mad and also seem Our activity within schools in Coventry Association with the scheme also allows throughout the course of the season. wider world also began to reveal itself to I decided after a few seasons of writing very open to new ideas. To me, that seems has seen the number of pupils taking us to support schools in the area with me. It only added to my love for the game. I for magazines and newspaper I’d like to like the perfect group of people to take to part in rugby league lessons grow to teacher training days which will upskill Yours in Sport, played it as well, fairly badly admittedly, but challenge myself to do something a bit rugby league. almost 1500 across the year with a teachers in the sport of rugby league. if I was ever outside, it was usually with a longer and more in depth. further eight schools to receive Also we can provide Conor Kelly rugby ball in hand. I hope everyone has a great day today and deliver as part of the project in this Writing a history/behind the scenes of one that this is the start of something great school year. the same training and continuous Community Manager Eventually, after leaving uni, I began writing of these new clubs seemed a way I could both for Coventry Bears and rugby league development for community rugby (and occasionally broadcasting) about the help spotlight the hard work the staff, nationally. From this delivery we have expanded league coaches in the midlands who Twitter: @bearscommunity sport. My first ever-paid writing gig was players and fans do in promoting the game, our community programmes to include have previously had to travel to different writing a long interview up about one of and I could also do my bit for helping the the Coventry Bears Cub Club which is parts of the country to receive this Facebook: BearsintheCommunity the game’s greats. game grow. an afterschool or weekend club where training. But, I felt like the sport was chafing at children from Reception to the restraints it had, both in terms of its So, towards the end of last season I There has been a lot of activity in the off geographical reach and media profile. I approached the Bears with the idea Year 6 can attend rugby league coaching season and there will be even more in sessions outside of the school setting in the coming months so we hope to see a location which they are familiar with. this activity further strengthen the clubs The Cub Club has now grown to forty ties within the city and participants over the past five weeks and we hope it will grow even further over in turn bring more fans to the Butts to the coming weeks so please keep an eye experience a Coventry Bears match day. on our community page on the website as well as social media sites for more If you would like to get involved in information on how you can get one of our projects or if you know of involved with our community any school who may wish to become development work. involved in a project please do not hesitate to contact us as we are always 17 JAMAHL HUNTE JAMES REDMAN JAMES GEURTJENS RICHIE HUGHES Sponsored by Sponsorship Sponsored by Sponsorship FARMHOUE DELHI Available PIPESOURCE UK Available

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