COVENTRY Bears coach Tom Tsang says his best players could be handed an opportunity to play for the Bulls as part of the new partnership between the clubs.

Bradford boss Jimmy Lowes will send a number of his fringe squad members to Coventry this season as part of the dual-registration tie-up with the new League 1 side.

Tsang has applauded the burgeoning relationship and reckons it could also see players from the Bears heading north to play for Bradford.

The Coventry head coach and Yorkshireman said: "The deal is more of a club partnership as opposed to a dual-registration-specific partnership.

"Obviously there is the possibility of some players coming to us – and if there's anyone good enough from our ranks, potentially going the other way.

"But there's a marketing and commercial side to it that will be invaluable."

Founded in 1998, Coventry were crowned RLC Western Division champions in 2000 and have since gone on to claim a host of other awards.

They were granted permission to join the National Conference League two years ago and last summer were told they would be competing in professional rugby league’s third tier in 2015.

Tsang added: "Aside from the fact we're going into League 1, it's the biggest thing that has happened to the Bears in our history.

"Going into the professional ranks obviously is the biggest thing but this is very close to it. Bradford are a huge club with lots of history and I'm really pleased to link in with them.

"In terms of what we're trying to do off the field it will raise our profile massively.

"The Bulls' brand and the Bulls' name is far reaching in rugby league and beyond; they're up there with the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors when it comes to awareness of the game."