Bears announce more signings

The club is proud to announce a number of new signings for February ahead of the new cup and league season.

Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang commented on the latest signings:

John Aldred- Prop Forward

John joined us last season having graduated from Coventry University and was by far and away our most improved player. He quite literally forced his way into the League One squad after an impressive trial in November. He is a big strong front rower and will be a real handful for any defence. If he can keep his rate of improvement going as he has done, then he will be a big threat to opposition defences.

Aldred commented-

I am very excited for the season ahead in League one and itching to get on the field!
It will be my biggest test to date both physically and mentally.
I’m proud to represent Coventry Bears and grateful to be involved with such a fantastic club

Jake Pratley- Halfback

Jake trialed in November and really stood out as a skillful young halfback or hooker. He has a strong Rugby Union background having come through the Worcester Warriors academy system and featured in their first team squad as a 17 year old. Jake is training very well and is adapting to Rugby League very well. I am sure he has a strong future at the Bears ahead of him.

Pratley commented- I am ecstatic to sign for the Bears and see this as a huge opportunity for me to develop as a player. I am looking forward to playing more than ever and have been working hard in preseason.

Liam Scott- Wing

Liam is another player with a Rugby Union background having only picked up the game of Rugby league when attending Coventry University 12 months ago. In that time the winger cemented himself as a first team regular in our 2014 NCL side and finished the season as top try scorer. He has shown enough in training for us to offer him a contract and again will be looking to keep improving and push for first team action.

Scott commented- I am proud to be a part of what is happening at this club. I have greatly enjoyed being involved in pre-season, a great bunch of lads have been recruited and am glad to have a chance to train and learn from this experience. I am also very pleased to be representing CURL at the bears and expect to see guys will following suit

David Oconnor- Second Row

Dave is one of the most hard working players in our squad and is another who has been with us for a few years. His improvement in this time has been great to see. He is turning into a confident player within the squad. He has the attitude and work ethic to play a big part of our first season.

Dave Oconnor commented- I'm very excited to have signed for the Bears and have been really enjoying the professional environment in preseason. It means a lot having been given the opportunity to be part of the clubs inaugural year in the semi-professional ranks. I'm looking forward to the new challenges and experiences that League 1 will offer.

Josh Bell- Centre

Josh is a big strong and athletic outside back who is comfortable in both the centre and wing roles. He had a breakout year at the Bears last season striking up a very strong partnership with Liam Scott. He has the ability to finish from distance and his size and power can cause problems for defences. He is working hard to learn the nuances of defensive play but is a bright lad and is taking the step up to League One head on.

Josh Bell commented- Signing for the bears is an exciting prospect. The group of players involved at the club this year are extremely talented which makes the coming season even more interesting. I look forward to progressing in training and hopefully getting some 1st grade games

Callum Wishart- Prop Forward

Callum is a big front rower with huge potential. Originally from Scotland, Callum was first spotted while trialing for our partner club Loughborough University RL for a place in their side for the Student Rugby League season. He stood out immediately with his size, mobility and instinct to take the ball forward at pace. He has since been a regular star for Loughborough despite having only half a dozen rugby league games under his belt. If Callum maintains his rate of improvement and understanding of his role in the team, I have no doubt he will feature strongly in our League One campaign.

Callum Wishart commented- 'The Coventry Bears squad is full of young and exciting talent with the potential to make a big mark in its first season in League One. The great coaching setup and high quality of players made it a no-brainer to sign for the club. Looking forward to getting on the pitch with the boys and having a strong first season.'

Andy McGrory- Centre/Wing

Coventry local-boy Andy rejoins the club after a couple of seasons playing and training with Oxford RL. Andy is a versatile back who can play as a wing, centre or fullback and as such will add to our depth at these positions. When fit and healthy Andy is a devastating runner of the ball and can really cause opposition defences problems. I know he is working hard in training and will be pushing for a starting spot come the start of the season.

Andy McGrory commented- 'Looking forward to the 2015 season with my home club Coventry bears where I started my Rugby League career, with the help of Alan Robinson. The bar has been raised to an impressive standard amongst all aspects of the club, including the calibre of players recruited. Here's to the new season and the new era for Coventry Bears RL'.