John Kear, Former Rugby League Coach and Broadcaster, Passes Away
John Kear, the former England and Wales rugby league coach and esteemed broadcaster, has died at the age of 71. Kear, widely respected within the rugby league community, passed away on Sunday while returning from the Challenge Cup final.
He was part of the commentary team covering the match between Wigan and Hull KR at Wembley Stadium.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) issued a statement expressing their admiration for Kear, stating he "was loved and admired throughout the sport and well beyond."
Coaching Career and Achievements
Kear's coaching career spanned over 700 matches and included tenures at several clubs such as Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity, and Bradford Bulls. He gained widespread recognition for leading the Sheffield Eagles to a surprising Challenge Cup final victory over Wigan in 1998.
He also coached Hull FC to an unexpected Challenge Cup triumph in 2005, defeating Leeds Rhinos in the final held in Cardiff.
On the international stage, Kear served as coach of the England team during the 2000 World Cup, guiding them to the semi-finals. Additionally, he spent 11 years as head coach of Wales, leading them in the 2017 and 2021 World Cups.
Playing Career and Early Life
Before transitioning into coaching, Kear had a playing career with his hometown club Castleford, making 133 appearances between 1978 and 1988.
Tributes and Legacy
Nigel Wood, Chair of the Rugby Football League, paid tribute to Kear:
"On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John's wife Dawn, his family, and with those who played or worked alongside him over the last 50 years.
Having had a 10-year career at Castleford, he found his passion for coaching which saw him oversee more than 700 games across a career which included coaching England in the 2000 World Cup, Wales in the 2017 and 2021 World Cup, oversaw Challenge Cup victories at Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC, and most recently took Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final.
But John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love and positivity for the sport."
Dave Woods, a commentator who worked with Kear at the BBC and became a close friend, also shared his memories:
"He was a great rugby league man, the most passionate and eloquent of evangelists for the sport, who relished the opportunity to do that on radio and television for the BBC.
But I'll remember him as simply the best of blokes, humble, friendly, cheerful, always smiling, always happy to talk to anyone, especially about rugby league."
