Coventry Bears
Encyclopedia
Coventry Bears are a rugby league
club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 (now called Rugby League Conference National Division
) and the Rugby League Conference
in 2002. They play in the Midlands Premier
division of the Rugby League Conference
and the Midlands Rugby League
.
The club, having moved from Coundon Road to Butts Park Arena
, has a new home at Old Coventrians RFC and runs two open-age sides as well as a ladies’ team and a selection of youth teams.
club’s Chairman and one time rugby league player, with a plan to form a team to play from Coundon Road Stadium
.
Coventry Bears were admitted into the Rugby League Conference
for the 2000 season and were unbeaten by any club within their division. The Bears then won their quarter-final against Manchester before being narrowly defeated by only one point in the semi-finals at Superleague club Warrington Wolves’ Wilderspool Stadium
.
Further success followed in 2001 with the Bears reaching the Grand Final at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby, only to lose out by a very narrow margin in a match against the now defunct Teesside.
This was topped when the team won the TotalRL.com Conference Grand Final in September 2002 when they beat Hemel Stags
at Cheltenham
.
Following on from this success the club applied for, and won, elevation to the newly-formed National League Three
. This proved a trying time, but also proved that it was possible to run two sides, even though a good number of the successful 2002 side had left the club.
The Bears went from strength to strength in 2004; not only reaching the National League Three Grand Final but winning comfortably in what proved to be a memorable match.
Sadly, 2005 was equally as memorable – but for the wrong reasons. After a spell of very mixed fortunes, Coventry Bears RLFC made the difficult decision to resign from the National League to take time to rebuild and regroup. Since dropping out of the National Leagues the club has concentrated on building the club up from the bottom and 2006 saw the return of the Bears as a TotalRL Conference premiership side.
Coventry Bears first team claimed second place in their Division, despite having to play a strong South London Storm team in their cross-conference fixtures. They went on to beat Leicester Phoenix in the qualifying semi-final to set up a Midlands Grand Final with Nottingham Outlaws
, which ended in defeat.
2007 was a good season for the Bears defeating old rivals Nottingham Outlaws to win the Midlands Premier and also winning the Kilkenny 9s, The Bears went on to finish as runners-up to St Albans Centurions
losing 28-20 in the final of the Harry Jephson Trophy
In 2008, the Bears finished as runners up in the Midlands Premier to old rivals Nottingham - who comprehensively beat Coventry. The Bears had an up and down season
The upcoming season sees a few changes at the Bears with the departure of Ty Watson to Leicester and a return to the old school with the introduction of key player and Ireland international Alan Robinson as head coach, The Bears are looking towards the future and will again play in the Midlands Premier. The second grade will fulfil a strong fixture list by playing in the Midlands Rugby League
.
In 2010, Coventry linked up with Super League side Wigan Warriors
.
, a former Director of Salford City Reds, has accepted the position of Club President. Coventry-born Waterman is a staunch rugby league follower and his late son was a regular supporter of the Bears.
Club Patron: Widnes Vikings Chairman Tony Chambers, also from Coventry, has accepted the position of Club Patron and lends his full support to the Bears.
Club Chairman: Ron Banks has been involved with the club from day one and with Alan Robinson the reason why the club is where it is today. Not only has he put in many hours for the Bears but is a tireless performer for rugby league in the Midlands and Nationally. In 2007 Ron was recognised for his hard work by the RFL receiving a lifetime achievement award for his volunteer work.
Notable Players (over 100 appearances for Coventry Bears RL)
Former players
. The Bears also have four feeder clubs North Coventry Nightmares, East Coventry Eagle, South Coventry Slayers and West Coventry Wolfpack.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 (now called Rugby League Conference National Division
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
) and the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
in 2002. They play in the Midlands Premier
Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier
The Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the English Midlands.It was first contested in 2006. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League....
division of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
and the Midlands Rugby League
Midlands Rugby League
The 3vSport.com Midlands Rugby League is a summer rugby league tournament in the Midlands region of England. It is a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference and a successor league to the Midlands Merit League...
.
The club, having moved from Coundon Road to Butts Park Arena
Butts Park Arena
Butts Park Arena is a multi-use sports stadium in Spon End, Coventry, England. It is the home ground of Coventry R.F.C., Coventry Jets, and Coventry Bears....
, has a new home at Old Coventrians RFC and runs two open-age sides as well as a ladies’ team and a selection of youth teams.
History
Coventry Bears were formed in 1998 by a group of University students led by Alan Robinson, Great Britain Student Rugby League captain and full Irish international. They made an approach to Keith Fairbrother, the Coventry rugby unionCoventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
club’s Chairman and one time rugby league player, with a plan to form a team to play from Coundon Road Stadium
Coundon Road Stadium
The Coundon Road Stadium in Coventry was the home ground for Coventry R.F.C. from 1921 to 2004. The stadium has now been demolished.The first game at the ground was against United Services, Portsmouth, with Coventry R.F.C...
.
Coventry Bears were admitted into the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
for the 2000 season and were unbeaten by any club within their division. The Bears then won their quarter-final against Manchester before being narrowly defeated by only one point in the semi-finals at Superleague club Warrington Wolves’ Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium is a rugby league stadium located in Warrington, England. The ground was Warrington RLFC's old ground before moving to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. It holds just over 9,000, after substantial decreases for crowd safety...
.
Further success followed in 2001 with the Bears reaching the Grand Final at Webb Ellis Road, Rugby, only to lose out by a very narrow margin in a match against the now defunct Teesside.
This was topped when the team won the TotalRL.com Conference Grand Final in September 2002 when they beat Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
at Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
.
Following on from this success the club applied for, and won, elevation to the newly-formed National League Three
Rugby League Conference National Division
The Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
. This proved a trying time, but also proved that it was possible to run two sides, even though a good number of the successful 2002 side had left the club.
The Bears went from strength to strength in 2004; not only reaching the National League Three Grand Final but winning comfortably in what proved to be a memorable match.
Sadly, 2005 was equally as memorable – but for the wrong reasons. After a spell of very mixed fortunes, Coventry Bears RLFC made the difficult decision to resign from the National League to take time to rebuild and regroup. Since dropping out of the National Leagues the club has concentrated on building the club up from the bottom and 2006 saw the return of the Bears as a TotalRL Conference premiership side.
Coventry Bears first team claimed second place in their Division, despite having to play a strong South London Storm team in their cross-conference fixtures. They went on to beat Leicester Phoenix in the qualifying semi-final to set up a Midlands Grand Final with Nottingham Outlaws
Nottingham Outlaws (rugby)
Nottingham Outlaws are a rugby league club from the city of Nottingham, England. They were founded in 1999 and their first team plays in the National Division. They have a junior section and in 2006 launched an academy team, which plays in the Midlands Rugby League. They play their home matches at...
, which ended in defeat.
2007 was a good season for the Bears defeating old rivals Nottingham Outlaws to win the Midlands Premier and also winning the Kilkenny 9s, The Bears went on to finish as runners-up to St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
losing 28-20 in the final of the Harry Jephson Trophy
In 2008, the Bears finished as runners up in the Midlands Premier to old rivals Nottingham - who comprehensively beat Coventry. The Bears had an up and down season
The upcoming season sees a few changes at the Bears with the departure of Ty Watson to Leicester and a return to the old school with the introduction of key player and Ireland international Alan Robinson as head coach, The Bears are looking towards the future and will again play in the Midlands Premier. The second grade will fulfil a strong fixture list by playing in the Midlands Rugby League
Midlands Rugby League
The 3vSport.com Midlands Rugby League is a summer rugby league tournament in the Midlands region of England. It is a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference and a successor league to the Midlands Merit League...
.
In 2010, Coventry linked up with Super League side Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
Key personnel
Club President: Pop mogul Pete WatermanPete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
, a former Director of Salford City Reds, has accepted the position of Club President. Coventry-born Waterman is a staunch rugby league follower and his late son was a regular supporter of the Bears.
Club Patron: Widnes Vikings Chairman Tony Chambers, also from Coventry, has accepted the position of Club Patron and lends his full support to the Bears.
Club Chairman: Ron Banks has been involved with the club from day one and with Alan Robinson the reason why the club is where it is today. Not only has he put in many hours for the Bears but is a tireless performer for rugby league in the Midlands and Nationally. In 2007 Ron was recognised for his hard work by the RFL receiving a lifetime achievement award for his volunteer work.
Notable Players (over 100 appearances for Coventry Bears RL)
- Alan Robinson, former GB student captain and full Ireland International
Former players
- Tom Shaw, Former union journeymanJourneyman (sports)A journeyman or journeywoman is an athlete or professional sports player who is technically competent, but unable to excel. In certain parts of the world the term has less negative connotations and the inability to excel is not needed for a player to be labelled thus.-Definitions:Alexandra Allred...
, has played in Australia and USA. Royal Air Force Honours. - Scott Clendenning-Fenton, Australian half back, former Canberra RaidersCanberra RaidersThe Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
, and Newtown JetsNewtown JetsThe Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season... - Alex Brown, former England Students player
- Ty WatsonTy WatsonTy James Watson is a rugby league player and more recently coach.- Playing career :Canning Bulldogs, WARL 1991-95Western Reds, Super League 1996-1998Fremantle Roosters, WARL 1998-1999...
- former coach and key player, has recently took up the coaching reigns at hometown club Leicester PhoenixLeicester Phoenix Rugby League Football ClubLeicester Storm are an amateur community rugby league football club based in Leicester, England. They compete in Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and their Academy Team compete in the 3v SportMidlands Rugby League. The club's home is Phoenix Park which is in the suburb of... - Troy Perkins - NL3 winning player/coach, currently head coach at Hemel Stags
Juniors
Coventry Bears' junior teams take part in the Midlands Junior LeagueMidlands Junior League
The Midlands Junior League is an age group rugby league competition for club in the English Midlands. It is run by the Midlands Rugby League.Many of the teams taking part also run open-age sides in the Rugby League Conference or Midlands Rugby League....
. The Bears also have four feeder clubs North Coventry Nightmares, East Coventry Eagle, South Coventry Slayers and West Coventry Wolfpack.
Club honours
- RLC Western Division: 2000
- RLC Midlands Division: 2001, 2002
- Harry Jepson Trophy: 2002
- National League 3: 2004
- RLC Midlands Premier: 2007, 2009, 2010
- Kilkenny 9s: 2007
- Midlands 9s: 2008, 2009
- Women's RLC Plate: 2010
- Women's RLC South Division: 2011