Whilst 2008 hasn’t been a fantastic year for Men’s First Grade Team, the Academy has continued to flourish under the tutelage of Peter Parker and Ladies have stormed to a National Grand Final against bitter rivals – the West London Sharks – who will be gunning for the double with their male counterparts taking on the Men’s First Grade rivals – the Nottingham Outlaws.
When asked about his thoughts on the 2008 season Head Coach Ty Watson responded with praise and thanks for his players and in particular lavished it upon two players, Matt Cooper and Alex Brown.
“2008 has been a tough year, after the heights of 2007 many players and fans alike thought we were a certainty to repeat that success” quipped Watson. “We had to work hard to turn that perception around and credit to the boys they did”. “The biggest problem we had this year was injuries”.
The Bears first team were without: Alan Robinson (leg), Mark Hyslop (hand), Lee Ashford (groin), Chris Brown (knee), Rich Whitehouse (knee), Ty Watson (ankle) Phil Malloy (shoulder), Rhiddian Booth (knee), Aaron Jarvis (thigh) and Kasi Ratargua for large parts of the season. “Our young players stood up this year and not only gained some invaluable experience but proved they are stars of the future”. “Players like Mitch Todd (17), Matt Cooper (18), Tanaka Chanuokara (20, Josh Boothby (20) and we even had a number of Graham Healey’s Under 16’s play for the Academy throughout the year – so the future is bright at OC Stadium!”
The Carvell Coventry Bears finished the season equal top with Nottingham but lost in the Grand Final, finishing the year with a 13 and 2 record.
When asked about his nominations for the annual RFL Player of the Year awards Watson responded with the following:
“Every now and again you get a player come along that seems too good to be true. Matt Cooper is that player. He not only trains and plays very hard, but is a pleasure to coach. Always willing to lesson and learn and genuinely wants to improve not only as a player but as a person”
“When Matt first arrived at the club having not played rugby league before I was unsure what to expect or where to play him. Not only did he finish the year as our top try scorer and most man of the matches whilst playing lock he finished as a genuine star of a powerful rugby league club – and all this at the age of 18!”
“He would have to be a certainty for Young Player of the Year but also has to be up there for Player of the Year”.
“Skipper Alex Brown also had a fantastic year, not only was it his first captaining the Bears, but he also won his first international cap with a strong game against Wales for the England Lionhearts”
“Ninja has proved to be an inspirational choice as captain and has led from the front with some bruising defence and powerful cleaver running from dummy half”.
“He has to be up there with the very best players in not only the Midlands Premier League but National as well!”
Watson added “I also want to thank each and every man, woman or child that played for the Bears in 2008 and made it such a great year”. “I would also like to thank Ron Banks (chairman), John Cummings (secretary), Hugh Brown (treasurer), Peter Parker (academy coach), Alan Robinson (asst coach), Robin Munroe (manager) and everyone that helps out in any way for the Bears”.
The Carvell Coventry Bears award night is held at the OC Ballroom on September the 13th. Tickets can be obtained on 0777 613 7513.