Coventry Bears playing at the Ricoh (2 Viewers)

Nick

Administrator
Looks to be a single game to start with, aren't they only semi pro? Same sort of thing as Bedworth United?
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
Maybe just a pre /post match taster to a Wasps fixture.
Aren't Cov Utd supposed to be playing at the Butts next season?
three matches per week and the Nighthawks starting next season would make four.
If I'm right that's heavy use of one pitch.
 

Nick

Administrator
Maybe just a pre /post match taster to a Wasps fixture.
Aren't Cov Utd supposed to be playing at the Butts next season?
three matches per week and the Nighthawks starting next season would make four.
If I'm right that's heavy use of one pitch.

Weren't they on about 3/4G at the butts?
 

chiefdave

Well-Known Member
Looks to be a single game to start with, aren't they only semi pro? Same sort of thing as Bedworth United?

Bit strange given that ACL have been blocking us playing extra games at the Ricoh to protect the pitch.
 

Woz01

Member
Bit strange given that ACL have been blocking us playing extra games at the Ricoh to protect the pitch.

I know they did pre season to bed the pitch in but not during the season. They've had U21 and the Acadamy game at the Ricoh. The Coventry Bears game I think will be the last game there until the concerts start for the summer.
 

Nick

Administrator
I know they did pre season to bed the pitch in but not during the season. They've had U21 and the Acadamy game at the Ricoh. The Coventry Bears game I think will be the last game there until the concerts start for the summer.

Unless we magically get into the playoffs :)
 

chiefdave

Well-Known Member
I know they did pre season to bed the pitch in but not during the season. They've had U21 and the Acadamy game at the Ricoh. The Coventry Bears game I think will be the last game there until the concerts start for the summer.

They weren't keen on having the youth cup game against Arsenal at the Ricoh this season.
 

Woz01

Member
Unless we magically get into the playoffs :)

. Think they are semi pro and only their 2nd season in this division so it will be tough for them. Shows how tough it is for them as the game at the Ricoh v Keighley is a club that wasn't far off from a Super League spot a few years back. Cov is a growing club and things like this would surely help
 

Nick

Administrator
Is it about money in Rugby Leagues?

Just read they got promoted 4 levels to become Semi Pro?
 

chiefdave

Well-Known Member
Why is this game at the Ricoh anyway. Seems a bit odd, just googled some of their attendances and it can't be because they need the capacity!
 

Calista

Well-Known Member
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sp...gue/rugby-league-heading-ricoh-arena-11155920

Meanwhile, David Armstrong Wasps, commented, ”This is another big step in the development of Wasps’ strategy for the Ricoh Arena. We are delighted that the Coventry Bears want to play one of their showcase games of the season at the Ricoh Arena. We have always supported a close relationship between rugby union and rugby league and look forward to finding further ways to develop rugby league in the Midlands.”

Can three sports be played at the Ricoh?
 

Nick

Administrator
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sp...gue/rugby-league-heading-ricoh-arena-11155920

Meanwhile, David Armstrong Wasps, commented, ”This is another big step in the development of Wasps’ strategy for the Ricoh Arena. We are delighted that the Coventry Bears want to play one of their showcase games of the season at the Ricoh Arena. We have always supported a close relationship between rugby union and rugby league and look forward to finding further ways to develop rugby league in the Midlands.”

Can three sports be played at the Ricoh?

Could a Semi Pro team afford to play there full time?
 

Nick

Administrator
Rugby League has a more recent 'tradition' of franchising. If I were Wasps it'd make absolute sense to test the water, see if there's a market for a top level Rugby League team, to keep the stadium in use during the summer.

As in Wasps buying them out?
 

Calista

Well-Known Member
Rugby League has a more recent 'tradition' of franchising. If I were Wasps it'd make absolute sense to test the water, see if there's a market for a top level Rugby League team, to keep the stadium in use during the summer.

That’s exactly what I was thinking NW, except I’m not sure it’s really just the “summer”. Doesn’t the season start in February or something?

When so much energy is spent on here arguing about aspects of Wasps which shouldn’t really matter to us, I’m amazed that this isn’t being questioned more. Have Wasps got a Rugby League franchise in the pipeline, and would that be compatible with CCFC continuing to play at the Ricoh?

I don’t pretend to know the answers, but I think the questions are important.
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
That’s exactly what I was thinking NW, except I’m not sure it’s really just the “summer”. Doesn’t the season start in February or something?

When so much energy is spent on here arguing about aspects of Wasps which shouldn’t really matter to us, I’m amazed that this isn’t being questioned more. Have Wasps got a Rugby League franchise in the pipeline, and would that be compatible with CCFC continuing to play at the Ricoh?

I don’t pretend to know the answers, but I think the questions are important.

It would certainly go some way towards Wasps getting that 365 day revenue from the stadium everyone bangs on about. Would also strengthen their brand identity, too... and they could label it Coventry Wasps, so integrating a little less painlessly into the city (wouldn't be treading on Coventry RFC to the same degree as if the Rugby Union team immediately added 'Coventry' to their name). If I were Wasps I'd absolutely be looking at Rugby League as a place to expand... especially as there's no rival in the immediate vicinity for supporters, and the summer element means there's definitely no rival once we head into the RU and football close seasons. That also gives an open goal to trying to mop up some fans to watch the union side come the regular season, too...

It's a fair point about overlap in late winter/early spring, and whether three teams could use the stadium. I reckon they could... but I reckon it'd be a bit fraught.
 

Nick

Administrator
Surely then if they are thinking about bringing in a team or making one (rather than Coventry Bears) wouldn't that then be putting them out of business? Wouldn't the best way be for them to buy Coventry Bears?
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
Who knows? They might, they might not.

Coventry Bears are a rather low level, mind. You're basically wanting a tam to enter the top flight immeditely, and you'd probably only use Bears to test the water... although they do have a place in the league pyramid (albeit right at the very bottom!)
 

fernandopartridge

Well-Known Member
It would certainly go some way towards Wasps getting that 365 day revenue from the stadium everyone bangs on about. Would also strengthen their brand identity, too... and they could label it Coventry Wasps, so integrating a little less painlessly into the city (wouldn't be treading on Coventry RFC to the same degree as if the Rugby Union team immediately added 'Coventry' to their name). If I were Wasps I'd absolutely be looking at Rugby League as a place to expand... especially as there's no rival in the immediate vicinity for supporters, and the summer element means there's definitely no rival once we head into the RU and football close seasons. That also gives an open goal to trying to mop up some fans to watch the union side come the regular season, too...

It's a fair point about overlap in late winter/early spring, and whether three teams could use the stadium. I reckon they could... but I reckon it'd be a bit fraught.

The reason there is no rival is because there is no real appetite from Rugby League in this part of the world.
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
The reason there is no rival is because there is no real appetite from Rugby League in this part of the world.

Possibly not.

But this is also what Rugby League tries to do, is franchise out to spread its reach. More often than not (Celtic Crusaders, Gateshead Thunder) it fails.

But it is ripe to be tried around here, and arguably the central location makes it more viable here than most places.

That doesn't mean it'd succeed, of course. But then all things are up in the air and, while trying to embed a new team, why not try to embded a 'rugby' brand that can be active 12 months of a year?
 
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Jack Griffin

Guest
However much I dislike Rugby, I can see Wasps strategy at work.
 

NorthernWisdom

Well-Known Member
However much I dislike Rugby, I can see Wasps strategy at work.

I'll swap Wasps for Rugby in that sentence, and concur.

Rugby League's the obvious thing to try, to fill a stadium.

This whole bollocks about a City of Rugby smacks of wanting to drive football to the margins, as well.

Hearts and minds, that's what it's all about. Alas, we haven't had an owner that's recognised that for, what, 40 years?
 

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