Workington Town have announced the signing of a new forward.
Originally from London, 24-year-old prop Bear Williams was initially a rugby union player as a back-rower and joined Championship side Cornish Pirates in 2021, but injuries limited him to just three appearances.
However, he set his sights on a crack at rugby league and was offered the chance to train with South Sydney Rabbitohs prior to the 2024 campaign.
Since then, he has made eight appearances for the Bunnies in the New South Wales Cup, five of which came last season.
He returned to the UK to pursue a contract with Super League’s Warrington Wolves and will arrive in Workington tomorrow.
The deal was set up by Town’s recruitment co-ordinator Ash Kilpatrick who said: “Bear came to our attention around August/September time when we were looking for middles when he was at South Sydney.
“Bear sent us his clips and Jonty liked what he saw, reminding him of a front rower he had at Whitehaven in Huw Worthington.
“Fast forward a few months and Bear became available after completing a pre-season at Warrington Wolves. I spoke to Gary Chambers at Warrington and he couldn’t speak highly enough of him and said he would be an asset for us if we could get him in.
“His recommendation is highly valued and the club acted quickly to secure Bear’s services and I’m glad to say Bear has signed until the end of the year with us.
“A huge thank you to Chem at Warrington for his advice on Bear and recommending him. ‘
Head coach Jonty Gorley said: “I’d just like to thank Ash Kilpatrick for setting this one up. We have a tough, long season and I wanted a little more in the middle numbers wise as we need to take care and manage the workload of our pack.
“I asked Ash to keep speaking and stay in touch with all his contacts and signing Bear was a no brainier.
“He’s a big, tough, no frills middle and played at a good level of rugby in both codes and with a near full SL pre-season behind him, he comes fit and ready to go.
“Chem speaks very highly of him and he was close to getting a deal at Warrington and after speaking with Bear myself, I know he’ll fit in well within the group.”
He will be available for selection next week when Town travel to amateurs Blackbrook in the second round of the Challenge Cup.
