BEARS have announced an exciting new partnership with Championship side Bradford Bulls as they prepare for life in the professional ranks.
The agreement will allow members of James Lowes’ Bulls squad, who were relegated from the Super League last year, to appear for the Kingstone Press League One side throughout the course of 2015 via dual-registration.
The two clubs will also work together on a commercial basis, with Bulls officials aiding the Midlands outfit’s development following their arrival in rugby league’s professional ranks.
“It has been fantastic for us to strike up a relationship with the Bulls, a club I have admired for many years.” said Bears managing director Alan Robinson.
“There is already great synergy between our clubs. This is not only a dual-registration partnership but a business one also.
“We hope to take every opportunity to grow and build our club alongside the Bulls.
“This is a new era for rugby league and I feel this sort of opportunity is a milestone in our club’s development in the sport.”
Founded in 1998, the Bears, who play out of Butts Park Arena, were crowned RLC Western Division champions in 2000 and have since gone on to claim a host of other awards.
They were granted permission to join the National Conference League two years ago before being told they could compete in the sport’s third tier last summer.
Bulls managing director Steve Ferres added: “These are exciting times for both clubs and we want to help Coventry adapt to life outside of the community game.
“The club has been working extremely hard during the past two seasons, both commercially and in terms of recruitment, and we will aid that in any way we can.
“They will have access to some of our players, which will prove mutually beneficial, and we look forward to seeing how the partnership develops.”
