3 hrs
John Kear wins RLWBA Merit Award
The Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association have selected John Kear as the 2025 winner of their Merit Award, for services to the sport and its presentation in the media.
Kear is the 39th winner of the Award since it was introduced in 1982, following in the footsteps of a wide range of winners including Roger Millward, Mal Meninga, Garry Schofield, Jodie Cunningham and last year Ben Thaler.
A former Castleford three-quarter, Kear has confirmed in recent weeks the end of a long and hugely successful coaching career, which included famous Challenge Cup triumphs with Sheffield Eagles in 1998 and Hull FC in 2005.
He coached England in the 2000 World Cup and Wales in the 2022 competition, and this season returned for a second stint with Batley Bulldogs at the age of 70.
Trevor Hunt, the Chair of the RLWBA, said:
“It was quite a surprise to discover that John had not won our Merit Award already, because he has been such a friend to the media, and done such a good job of presenting the sport in the media, for so long.
“His coaching record speaks for itself, and from our angle he has always been a pleasure to deal with – courteous, eloquent, and with the passion for Rugby League you’d expect from someone who was born on Wheldon Road in Castleford.
“That made him a perfect fit for broadcasting, and over the last four decades he has become one of the most familiar voices of Rugby League nationwide through his work mostly for the BBC, on radio and TV.”
Kear will be presented with the Arthur Brooks Trophy, named in memory of a long-serving former Daily Mirror Rugby League correspondent, later today before Rugby League’s Awards Night in Manchester – where he will also be presenting the Coach of the Year awards for Betfred Championship and League One.
