Goulburn Bears build towards 2021 season as rep coaches named

Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic early this year, most national, state, and local sport was called off. Upon return to play in July, the Bears' Youth Men's team was the only representative side put forward by the association.

However, due to ongoing COVID concerns in Sydney, the team decided to pull out of the 2020 competition.

Next season, the Bears will put forward sides in Under 12s, Under 14s (girls and boys), Under 16s, and Under 18s (girls and boys) competitions, along with a team in the Youth Men's division.

Committee member Andrew Stewart also hopes to find enough players to form either a Youth Women's or Open Women's team as well.

"Last year, our Under 18 girls were very disappointed to have their season cut," Stewart said.

"They could have been the number one team in NSW ... A number of them played in the Open Women's team the last couple of years to make up numbers, but with a number of them coming through it could be the basis for a Youth League side.

"You need the numbers there to commit, it's not like Opens where you can pull anyone to come in. You need them to be under 23, so if we can get a good seven or eight players, plus a few of the junior girls, we should have enough."

Considering the strength of the senior competition since the resumption of play in July, Stewart believes the player numbers are there.

"Our senior competition has been quite strong," he said.

"We've got 37 teams just in seniors, we're playing four games in four time slots for men and women.

"Looking at the numbers in the senior competition, everyone was keen to get back. We didn't miss a beat really, it's just disappointing that kids missed out on their rep season."

The coaches named by the Goulburn Bears ahead of the 2021 season are:

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