Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJohn Kear, former England, Wales and Challenge Cup winning coach, has died at the age of 71 (Richard Sellers/PA)John Kear, the respected rugby league broadcaster and former Challenge Cup-winning coach, has died at the age of 71. His death occurred suddenly on Sunday, shortly after he had returned from covering Wigan Warriors’ Challenge Cup victory at Wembley for the BBC. Kear had a distinguished coaching career spanning over 700 matches across nine clubs, famously leading Sheffield Eagles to a shock Challenge Cup win in 1998 and guiding Hull FC to glory in 2005. He also coached at international level for England, Wales, and France, and had a decade-long playing career as an outside back for Castleford. Nigel Wood, Chair of the RFL, paid tribute to Kear, acknowledging his significant contributions to the sport, including taking Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final, and his popular role as a broadcast summariser. In fullFormer Rugby League coach and broadcaster John Kear passes away aged 71Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Iconic rugby league coach John Kear, who led Hull, Sheffield, Wakefield and Bradford among others, has died aged 71

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Rugby league has lost one of its most admired and influential figures following the death of John Kear at the age of 71.