JR joined the team as Mascot for the 2022 season as a gift from a US film student studying at the National Film and Television School in the UK. Lily Ahree Seigel joined the club to make a documentary film “This is not a sport film” which was shortlisted for a Student BAFTA
This Is Not A Sport Film | Lily Ahree Siegel which talks movingly and honestly about Lily’s voyage of discovery through SWRC. Her gift to us was a Bear.
Initially nameless, or with a very unpronounceable ursine name (see Paddington the movie), Bear became our mascot, and very popular with our young supporters. Following the success of the UK team in the Quad Wheelchair in Tokyo Bear became JR Bear in honour of Wales and GB Wheelchair Rugby legend Jim Roberts who was such a key part of the GB team. JR’s nickname arose as a tribute to our “Wolfpack” team which was our development squad of inexperienced players. Also an acknowledgement of the importance of the pack in success.
