ACADEMY coach Leigh Beattie insists that Bulls supporters should look forward to the new season with optimism.

Bradford have been docked 12 points by the Rugby Football League after entering administration for the third time in five years and being liquidated.

Yet Beattie, who took temporary charge for the weekend's opening pre-season game at Huddersfield Giants, is confident the dark days are now over.

"I have no doubt that we are up to the challenge this season," said Beattie, speaking ahead of the arrival of new coach Geoff Toovey.

"Everything from now on will be positive moving forward and we will be all right – I can guarantee you that."

Beattie says new owners Andrew Chalmers and Graham Lowe are fully behind the club's Academy, which provided seven of the 20 players involved in Sunday's 28-10 defeat at the John Smith's Stadium.

He also feels the senior players who remain have the necessary spirit to pull the team away from trouble in the Kingstone Press Championship.

"Some of the things we have been through have been horrendous," admitted Beattie.

"They were demoralised but we have spoken about getting all that negativity out of the way. It's a new start with new owners and the lads showed that in their spirit (against Huddersfield)."

With central funding reduced to £150,000, instead of the £270,000 that would have been paid prior to the club's financial collapse, the Bulls may yet need to turn to Academy players for support.

Beattie said: "Our Academy is good. There are some good kids there. The kids are always important and that's what we have to build on. Moving forward, they are important and I take a lot of pride in them.

"It's going to be backed. They are very big on that. It's all looking good and very positive."

The Bulls are next in pre-season action away to Keighley Cougars on Sunday (2pm).