Pictured above: (l-r) Stephen Coleman and Chad Grant, from Coventry Bears, Jamie Brightwell, from Coventry Sports Foundation, with Alan Robinson, Tom Tsang and Matt Cooper, from Coventry Bears

A top rugby league side has teamed up with a leading city leisure organisation to help identify talent in the region and raise the sport's profile.

Coventry Bears now train at all three Coventry Sports Foundation-managed sites across the city - Centre AT7 in Bell Green Road, the Xcel Leisure Centre in Canley, and The Alan Higgs Centre in Allard Way.

Bears coach and former Ireland international Alan Robinson believes the Coventry Bears' links with Coventry Sports Foundation will prove vitally important to the success of the club and the sport in the region.

"The fact that the organisation has a number of sites allows us to be involved in a number of different areas across the region," he said.

"This means that while we play our first team games at the Butts Arena, we are not tied down to one place like most rugby union clubs, we have a presence all over the city.

"Alongside my role with the Bears I work with the Rugby Football League as a regional development officer.

"We do a lot of that work at the Alan Higgs Centre and through this role I have found that there is a lot of talent in this area so I look forward to discovering more of it through this partnership."

Another step to increase interest in the sport will see the Bears host a six-a-side touch rugby tournament at the Xcel Leisure Centre in Mitchell Avenue.

Also on the same day, Sunday, June 12, the centre will be hosting its annual Summer Fete which will offer a wide range of fun activities for adults and children.

The rugby tournament will be for men and women with no previous playing experience required. Two taster sessions will be run by the Bears during the run up to June 12 - on Wednesday, May 25 and Wednesday, June 1.

"This event demonstrates another of the advantages of our link with Coventry Sports Foundation," said Robinson.

"You don't need to have played the game at any level in the past to take part.

"It is to be a fun and social event with the aim of exposing people to a great game and encouraging participation."

Jamie Brightwell, Centre Manager for the Xcel Leisure Centre, said he felt the partnership will have a positive effect on participation in the region. 

"We are delighted to be able to offer our facilities to the city's top rugby league side and hopefully this will help them in the coming season," he said.

"However, we are equally pleased to assist the club in their endeavours to be involved in the community and help grow the sport.

"Obviously this particular event is based on the social and fun side of the game but at the same time Alan has great knowledge and of the sport at the top level and this is a great opportunity for anybody looking to get involved in the sport on a more competitive basis to learn from the best."