Kear: ‘Bradford need to buy into the Academy’

Bradford Bulls head coach John Kear insists the club and fans need to buy into its Academy system.

Ever since Kear took charge at Odsal in December, he has made it no secret that his intentions were to get the best of out his youngsters.

The 63-year-old wants to work closely with the Academy and maybe bring a couple of fresh legs through to the first team in 2018.

He told bradfordbulls.co.uk: “It is the right way to do things. I think that it has been proved in the past and there is plenty more to come.

“The training facilities they have at their disposal are second to none.

“The opportunities are endless and what we provide them with on a coaching front and a lifestyle are second to none as well.

“We have got to buy into it as a club, the fans have got to buy into and back these young lads. When they are playing, they are well worth getting down to Odsal to watch.”

And two more youngsters, Brandon Pickersgill and Rowan Milnes, impressed Kear in the Boxing Day friendly win over Halifax.

Kear added: “I thought that Brandon Pickersgill was really good.

“I thought he showed great maturity with his defensive organisation, he was faultless under the high ball and he came into the line and caused problems when he did that.

“Rowan is a very skilful young man and there are high hopes for him here.

“Halifax was a good start for him, we’ll probably see more of him in the other pre-season games as he fights for a starting shirt. He should be very happy with his 20 minutes out there on Boxing Day.”