Batley happy to remain in Championship, admits Kear

Batley coach John Kear insists getting the Bulldogs into Super League isn’t the club’s short term goal.

Batley had the chance to apply for a Super League place last season after winning the 2010 Northern Rail Cup, but opted not to put an application together. 

And Kear says the club are happy to remain in the Championship.

He said: “I don’t think Batley is making any sounds about wanting to get into Super League.

“I think they’re quite at ease at where they are. They enjoy being where they are and they want to be good at where they are. 

“Off the field the club is developing. It’s a tidy stadium and a very well run club, and it’s a good club so it’s very enjoyable to be involved.”

Kear, who takes over from Karl Harrison at Mount Pleasant, joined the Bulldogs from Wakefield after spending a combined 10 years being head coach at the highest level. 

He famously took Sheffield to Challenge Cup glory over Wigan in 1998, and repeated that feat with Hull FC as the Arlie Birds edged out Leeds in 2005.

But Kear says the step down into the Championship has presented him with some new and fresh challenges.

He said: “I have to adapt to a part time environment, but I feel more at ease with it now.  

“In Super League obviously you are devoted to preparing a team 24/7, and you have all the players available to you. Suddenly I’ve gone from that to players working hard during the day.

“Then you have to consider what they have done during the day for how you prepare them for an evening in order to fully prepare for a game of rugby league. It is a challenge, but it’s a good challenge and its rugby league at its purist.”