THE SKY is the limit for rugby league in Coventry according to the league’s chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer after the Coventry Bears were officially introduced to the professional ranks.
The Bears were formally launched as a professional rugby league club on Friday at the Butts Park Arena and will become the flagship for the sport in the region.
Tom Tsang’s side will join the Kingstone Press Championship One in 2015 and Rimmer is confident the club has the backing of the entire city to improve the image of the sport in the West Midlands.
He told the Observer: “There has been a really admirable amount of work that has been put in to bring the club to this point.
“There’s lots of talent out there and lots of clubs out there with the potential to do this type of thing and its a momentous time for Coventry as well as the sport.
“There is a lot of community work that goes on in the city and I would hope and expect the prospect of professional rugby league in the city ignites even further interest.
“The club have got strong partners. The rugby union club have been excellent and has really helped this to happen, and the council have thrown their weight behind it too so the sky is the limit. Lots and lots of things can be achieved in this city.”
Head coach Tsang knows the challenge that lies ahead and is hoping his current crop players grab the opportunity to play at a higher level with both hands.
He added: “We certainly recognise there are going to be some challenges and we’re fully embracing that.
“We know that this is going to be a significant step up. We know it’s going to be much more physical, much more intense and the players that do transition across are going to have to understand at get to a level where they are consistently performing at the same level.
“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough challenge but we’re all really excited.”
RFL chief operating officer, Ralph Rimmer, is delighted to welcome Coventry Bears to the Kingstone Press Championship One in 2015. Picture by Jon Mullis. 30.014.004.cov.jm7.
