CUB RETURNS (right): Jake Anlezark will lead the Blayney Bears in their Group 10 return next year. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
THE Blayney Bears last night took another step towards making their Group 10 return in 2013 by naming a premier league player-coach.
One of the Bears’ own, Jake Anlezark, has taken up the position.
Bears secretary Lisa Oborn said when the club heard Anlezark was moving to Bathurst for work, the club didn’t hesitate in approaching him about leading the club in 2013.
Oborn is confident Anlezark’s signing will help to attract the players they need to field three grades next year.
Anlezark played his junior league with the Bears.
In 2007 he was part of Orange CYMS’ premiership-winning under 18s side.
In the same year he was in the Australian Institute of Sport for league. In 2008 he joined the Cronulla Sharks SG Ball side and played in the club’s Toyota Cup side from 2008 to 2010.
There is still some work to do for the Bears as they plan their long-awaited return to Group 10.
The last time the Bears were seen in Group 10 was in 2010 when they contested the under 18s and first division competitions.
The Bears have not lined up in premier league since 2000 when they finished third.
Oborn said Blayney had a plan in place to ensure the club would be represented next year.
“We would like to implement a long term strategy of improvement in senior rugby league in Blayney which includes further recruitment and development and promotion of our junior players,” Oborn explained.
Anyone interested in being involved with the Blayney Bears should contact Lisa Oborn on 0411 685 136.