COVENTRY BEARS AWARDED RLWC 2021 CAPITAL GRANT

COVENTRY BEARS RECEIVE £14,946.75 FROM THE CREATEDBY RLWC2021 CAPITAL GRANTS LEGACY PROGRAMME

The grant, which has been awarded to help more young people to play rugby league at grassroots level in Coventry and the West Midlands, will fund all the kit and equipment needed to establish 3 brand new satellite clubs. 

Coventry Bears is set to receive £14,946.75 from the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme. Delivered in partnership between RLWC2021, the sport’s national governing body, the Rugby Football League, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the CreatedBy programme is a funding pot of up to £10million made available by the government to support the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup by growing participation in the sport.

In preparation for spring and summer 2021, Coventry Bears, who already operate one really successful satellite club for junior rugby league players in the west of the city, will establish 3 brand new satellite clubs. The new clubs will offer training and playing opportunities to youngsters at the age groups U10’s, U12’s, U14’s and U16’s across the city of Coventry and the West Midlands. The funding will ensure the 3 new clubs are established, have full playing kits for each age group and all the equipment they need including balls, tackle shields, bibs, cones, pitch side barriers, etc.

Supplementary funding to ensure the lasting sustainability of the new clubs for years to come (including coaching, mentoring, training of volunteers, etc.) comes from a mixture of community sponsorship from long term partner McDonalds, Coventry Bears Community Lotto and a legacy sponsored bike ride by the professional Coventry Bears rugby league players. This ambitious project will grow participation in the sport of rugby league in the local area by over 250% giving the opportunity for youngsters to try (for many of them, for the first time) a brand new fast paced and competitive summer sport.

Alan Robinson, Director of Rugby at Coventry Bears, said: “This is the most ambitious project in the history of the Bears and one that can create a true lasting legacy in our local community. After a difficult 2020 and the periods of inactivity that youngsters have faced, this is a great opportunity for juniors to take up a new sport, be part of the Bears and something truly special. We have been awarded the maximum amount of funding available, showing the governing body’s faith in our club and the importance of our region to the game.”

Debbie Watson, CEO of Coventry Bears also added: “The opportunity for us to create brand new clubs and populate them with local players and volunteers, doesn’t come around often. We want each satellite club to be justly inclusive and embedded within its local community, whilst embracing the Bears family values. If you are inspired by this and are interested in playing, coaching or volunteering in any capacity within one of these new clubs, we would encourage you to register your interest via www.coventrybears.com/rlwc”

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, RLWC2021, said: “The CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme is focused on ensuring the next generation of rugby league players have the best possible experience and barriers to participate are removed. We are delighted to award this grant to Coventry Bears and look forward to seeing the results of this investment that aims to deliver real change in their community.”

Ralph Rimmer, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League, said: “Hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 offers so many opportunities for everyone involved in the game in this country and beyond, and the facilities that will be delivered by the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme will be a big part of that transformation. The RFL are proud to be involved in that process, and we congratulate the Bears on their successful application - and look forward to the impact of this unprecedented level of investment in the game for years to come.”

Charles Johnston, Property Director, Sport England, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership to deliver the biggest government investment into grassroots rugby league facilities the country has ever seen. With this funding, communities will gain better access to the facilities, improved infrastructure and essential equipment they need to be active. We are pleased the investment will provide benefit to people engaging in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair game, with a focus on those disadvantaged areas where inactivity levels are stubbornly high. By focusing our efforts on increasing participation in the game, we’re ensuring that the Rugby League World Cup’s legacy lasts long after the last ball has been kicked and the crowds have gone home.”

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will kick off on 23 October 2021, with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions taking place simultaneously, under one tournament banner for the first time.  Coventry’s Ricoh Arena will host a round 2 men’s game, Australia v Scotland on Friday 29th October 2021.

Clubs, organisations and communities that run rugby league activities are encouraged to apply for this legacy funding by visiting www.rlwc2021.com/facilities. For further information, visit their official social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

For more information about the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants programme, please email capitalgrants@rlwc2021.com.

For more information about the clubs or to register interest, please email debbie.watson@coventrybears.co.uk

For more information about Coventry Bears visit www.coventrybears.com