Former Welsh Rugby coach John Kear has died just hours after commentating on the Challenge Cup Final
Former Wales rugby league coach John Kear (R) has died.(Image: X)
Former Wales coach John Kear has passed away at the age of 71. The celebrated former rugby league coach, who also led England, Sheffield, Hull, Wakefield, Batley, Bradford and Widnes, had provided commentary on the Challenge Cup final for the BBC on Saturday.
Kear enjoyed a 10-year playing career as a threequarter with Castleford before embarking on his coaching career with Bramley in 1992.
He subsequently joined French outfit PSG ahead of the inaugural Super League season. In 1997, he moved to Sheffield Eagles, where he achieved his greatest moment as a coach by masterminding one of the most stunning upsets in rugby league history, as the Eagles defeated the formidable Wigan at Wembley to claim the Challenge Cup in 1998.
It was an achievement he replicated as coach of Hull FC in 2005. Following his time at Hull, he spent five years as Wakefield boss before taking the reins at second-tier clubs Batley, Bradford and Widnes in the latter stages of his coaching career.
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He also led England at the Rugby League World Cup in 2000, guiding them to the semi-finals.
Kear was a familiar face on the BBC as a commentator and broadcaster covering the Challenge Cup, including Saturday’s victory for Wigan against Hull KR.
The Rugby Football League shared a tribute on social media, which said: “The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Challenge Cup Finals.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family and friends.”
His former club Wakefield tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary coach and broadcaster John Kear.
“As a club, the whole of Wakefield Trinity would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to his wife, family and friends during this time and join the Rugby League family in saying he will be dearly missed.”
Hull FC added: “Hull FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Head Coach John Kear.
“An iconic figure in the British game, Kear led the Black & Whites to their iconic 2005 Challenge Cup Final triumph in Cardiff, and oversaw over 700 games as a coach across the last four decades.
“The thoughts and condolences of everyone across the club are with John’s wife Dawn, and all of his family and friends at this difficult time.”
