BEARS are continuing preparations for their debut season as a professional rugby league club after confirming six more signings ahead of the new season.
Centres Eddie Medforth and Nick Taylor have joined the club after impressing head coach Tom Tsang during a recent trial.
Both players hail from Wakefield and have experience of professional rugby league having featured for Sheffield Eagles Under-19s last season, while Taylor has also previously spent time with Wakefield Wildcats.
Tsang confirmed: “Eddie and Nick both trialed for us in November. They stood out in all aspects of the trials and were among the first from that process that we offered contracts to.
“Both are very different players, but have some significant strengths in their own right. What they do share though is a fantastic attitude and that is what stood out from the start.”
“They have been good value in training so far and I am looking forward to working with them through the season and I am sure they will be a success in this league.”
Andy Winfield is another player who has signed after impressing at the trials.
The half back is used to the professional environment having spent the last two seasons with Oxford and he is delighted to have joined the Bears in 2015.
Winfield said: “I have been impressed with the professionalism of the set up and am looking forward to getting stuck into the pre-season games in the new year.
“Moving up to League One will be challenging, but we have an excellent squad in place and the boys have been training hard to ensure we get off to a good start in both the cup and the league.”
Tsang has also recruited second row Liam Thompson, who helped the England Universities side reach the final of the Student World Cup last year, and half back Cameron Boulter.
And prop Ryan Jenkins was confirmed as the club’s sixth signing over the festive break having progressed through the divisions with Bears.
Tsang added: “Liam (Thompson) is a player that I went out of my way to bring to the club. He is a ‘no-nonsense’ type of player – very tough and hard working and willing to do the dirty work for the good of the team. He will be a great addition to the side.
“Cameron (Boulter) was recommended to us by good sources as a scrum half with great potential.
“He was a standout in the trials and clearly has an impressive skill-set for an 18-year-old and is full of confidence.
“As a front rower, Ryan (Jenkins) will need to once again attain a higher level than he has in the past. We believe he has the mindset and character to do this. He is another local player who we are pleased to give an opportunity to.”
