Squires commits for 2022

We are delighted to announce that Head coach Rich Squires has commited his future to the club for next season. Below we caught up with Rich and asked him a few questions about the changes and challenges ahead.

What was your assessment of last season?

Last year was a really good development year for us as a club but unfortunately we just fell short of the expectations and targets we set as a group at the beginning of the season. In the end lack of consistency with performances let us down but it wasn’t due to lack of effort. We set a really good marker down last year beating the likes of Keighley, Rochdale and Hunslet at home and then putting on some really good performances away from home which hasn’t been done previously. As a group we achieved a major goal and that was to have people talking about us week in week out. That happened and it shows we are going in the right direction. Last year the squad really showed what it meant to play for the club, working hard for each other on and off the pitch, engaging in the local community and most of all the fans.

What excites you about our new challenge as the Hurricanes?

This is the start of something special and an opportunity that I’m grateful to be given. It’s a new lease of life for Midlands area and a new opportunity to continue the legacy that Coventry Bears has created but take it to a whole new level. Speaking with the owners, the vision they have for the club and where they want to take it is something I couldn’t turn down and it was a easy decision when offered the opportunity. Last year was a great first season for me, the squad really performed and got the recognition they deserved.

This is a brand new club, great area, it's not about one person. The thing I want to establish here is trust so the players can feel it's a place they're always going to be welcome at and build relationships with the staff and the players. The better we play the better we'll build that relationship with the community as well. If they see a team here that's working hard every week, and putting there best foot forward, that's what I'll be aiming to do here, whether we win or lose you'll see a team that's doing their best for you.

How has recruitment been and how is the squad doing?

It’s been extremely tough for the players this last few months. Left in a situation not knowing what the plan is moving forward and although we have tried to update them as much as possible it’s been a real struggle. Luckily we had a really dedicated group of individuals last year and that was part of the reason I brought them to the club in the first place. They bought into the culture myself and Alan set last year and have shown some faith waiting so long for the decision to be made. Some members of the squad have been approached by a number of clubs and contracts on the table which we knew was going to happen, and for those who aren’t with us next year we wish them all the best.

In regards to next year we are looking very healthy. It’s been endless hours of phone calls and messages with people but it’s always an exciting time. The major advantage this year was the rebrand and we have looked for individuals who we think can take us to the next level and buy into the new beginning. We have some really exciting signings this year to bring the fans and a number of individuals who have shown a massive loyalty to the club. I look forward to being able to release these names to the rugby league world shortly.