EASTER has brought real joy to the rugby league faithful, as we continue the club's journey to redemption, with back-to-back wins over Oldham and Hunslet.

Playing three games in nine days is a massive ask of our players, but playing four games in 14 days is an absolute physical and mental test for any player. It’s the brutal confrontational element of rugby league that sets it apart from other sports.

No pads or helmets – just gladiatorial-styled collisions. The recovery stages after every game are essential, and I know the medical and coaching team will be looking to pull as many post-Easter rabbits out of their hats as possible.

On the Easter theme a huge thank you to the generosity shown by William Whitaker at local firm Whitakers Chocolates. The Whitakers team dished out thousands of free Easter treats at our Oldham home game, much to the delight of all who attended. Well done and thank you for your support.

What a massive difference John Kear is making at the new Bradford Bulls, with his positivity and belief. You can feel the difference he makes with everyone - players, staff and fans alike. When you hear ABSOLUTLEY POSITIVELY BULLS, it embodies all those positive, successful and powerful elements that we all look for in life, and that John Kear brings to the club. It means standing up, when others choose to run. And not giving up, when the odds are stacked against you. To quit is not part of the new Bulls psyche.

Some really exciting things are appearing on the Bulls horizon. One of those is the opening game of the Women's Super League. To mark the occasion and give our defending Challenge Cup and Super League champions the pomp and ceremony they deserve, the Bulls have made the women's game the star attraction as part of a rugby league double header on Sunday, April 15, at Odsal Stadium.

In a world first, Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos Women will headline the afternoon of rugby league with the curtain raiser being the Betfred League 1 clash between Bradford Bulls Men vs Coventry Bears, kicking off at 2pm. Our champion women's team was recently crowned “Bradford sports team of the year” in the prestigious Bradford Sports Awards 2018, beating historically strong contenders Bradford City FC among others.

Our men’s team will provide a guard of honour after their match against Coventry Bears and the entire club and fan base will be behind the women as they seek to get off to a winning start against our traditional rivals, Leeds Rhinos.

I know from talking to our fans that Bulls vs Rhinos has a fierce rivalry dating back a long way, with both clubs prepared to nail their colours to the mast.

The other exciting event is the trip to Halliwell Jones Stadium to meet the Warrington Wolves in round five of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, on Saturday, April 21. The last time the Bradford Bulls played against a Super League team in the Challenge Cup was in 2015, against Hull KR. Plenty for our fans to look forward to in April.

For our players the focus is much sharper and clearer as this weekend we make the trip to Workington Town in west Cumbria.

Another proud club with a deep rugby league pedigree, with a Challenge Cup and Premiership dating back to 1951-52.

But let’s face it, their coach Leon Pryce will have had the circle around Sunday, April 8, from the very beginning of the season.

Having got to know Leon since I arrived in England last year, I know that success against the Bulls this weekend would be both a marker for the club, as rugby league in Cumbria express their aspirations to reach the Super League, and one for Leon personally as he will want to prove a point as he embarks on his coaching career.

It’s games like this that pose a real headache and genuine threat for our team.

Workington’s recent two-point loss to the in-form London Broncos, highlights just how competitive they are around the field, and how difficult a team they will be to beat.

They will be preparing to hurt us everywhere, and I know Leon will instil in his players the importance of the occasion.

Leon will have sat in the changing rooms and heard the same speech made to him countless times. The same one he will give where he tells the players three things;

1 Reputations don’t matter in Cumbria.

2 Hurt not hope is their winning strategy

3 This game against the Bulls means everything, and winning will define them all.

Expect a brutal tough physical game from the very first whistle. Bring it on.

Kick off is at 3pm at Derwent Park. Come and join the Stampede to Cumbria.