Bedford’s premier rugby league side, Bedford Tigers, have announced that Gaz Barron will take over as Head Coach for the new season, where they will also make their return to the Betfred Challenge Cup.
While it would be a huge ask for the Tigers to emulate Wigan, who won their 20th Challenge Cup in August with a 16-14 win over Huddersfield, it does provide an excellent opportunity to face one of the big guns when the competition returns in February.
After a successful 2022 season, which saw the Tigers finish fifth in the newly constructed Southern Conference League, 2023 looks to be an exciting time for the side based at Putnoe Woods.
The club will be entered into Round One as part of thirty four qualifying teams from the community game, with the seventeen winners progressing to the second round, where ten National Conference League and eleven League One teams will join.
The Tigers’ first round match will be played on the weekend of February 11th with the draw held live on the BBC in January.
New Head Coach to guide the Tigers
Barron has been brought in to work alongside the Director of Rugby, Rob Ashton, to develop the club’s senior section while also monitoring pathway talent graduating from the club’s junior system.
On his new appointment, Barron said, “To be given the chance to be Head Coach of Bedford Tigers is an opportunity which I couldn’t turn down.
“The club has a strong history with rugby league in the south and has a lot of vision for the future.
“I’ve spoken to the Chairman, Graham Brown, and to Rob and it is clear the passion and the drive that the club has. I’m excited to be a part of it and hopefully can help the club move forward.”
With another season of the Southern Conference League on the horizon, Bedford Tigers are looking to recruit talented and experienced rugby players for the 2023 season.
Bedford Tigers also run a second men’s team along with a strong Women’s team, who fell at the playoff stage in the Women’s Super League South last season, losing 44-6 to a strong London Broncos side.
For more information on how to join Bedford Tigers, you can find more details on Facebook and associated social media channels by searching for Bedford Tigers.
