Western Australia’s National Rugby League bid representatives have reiterated the importance of the Western Bears being ‘under the care and control’ of WA.
Western Australia’s National Rugby League bid representatives have reiterated the importance of the Western Bears being ‘under the care and control’ of WA.
The Bears – a merger between WA and the iconic North Sydney Bears – officially submitted their bid to the Australian Rugby League Commission in order to join an expanded NRL competition on August 14.
Should they be successful in becoming the NRL’s 18th or 19th franchise in October, it will ensure rugby league will return to WA on a regular basis for the first time since 1997, when the Perth Reds – re-branded from the Western Reds – competed in the Super League.
With the Australian Rugby League and Super League coming together to form the NRL at the start of 1998, three sides were culled to ensure an even number of 20 teams – the Reds, South Queensland Crushers and Hunter Mariners.
WA NRL bid and Western Bears chair Peter Cumins – who has been a passionate advocate for WA rugby league prior to, during and following the demise of the Reds – said he was hopeful for a positive outcome in October.
“I’m very proud of the quality of our bid for the 18th licence,” he said.
“We have put forward a compelling case to the NRL for inclusion and I remain optimistic that we will be successful.”
Mr Cumins, who is executive chair of Cash Converters, also praised the hard yards undertaken by WA premier Roger Cook and NRL WA chief executive officer John Sackson – a ‘true believer’ of growing the game out west.
Mr Sackson, who has spent 14 years as CEO of NRL WA, was involved with the Super League during the mid-1990s in Brisbane and is well-versed on what is required to succeed on and off-field at rugby league’s highest level.
In an interview with Business News earlier this year, Mr Sackson spoke about the benefits of the code becoming aligned with the NRL and how the added resources and support had helped the game flourish at grassroots level.
While eager for a WA side to return to the NRL, Mr Sackson made it clear he was equally committed to ensuring rugby league could be enjoyed across WA by everyone, irrespective of their age or ability.
By 2029, WA is aiming to have the third highest rugby league club participation rate in Australia, behind traditional states New South Wales and Queensland.
From a junior development standpoint, talented youth-aged players will have an opportunity to ply their trade for the North Sydney Bears at NSW Cup level, with this side acting as a direct feeder for the first grade Western Bears team.
The Western Bears model aims to acknowledge the legacy of pioneering Reds, along with the history of the North Sydney Bears, which joined the New South Wales Rugby League as a foundation club in 1908.
This is reflected in the proposed colour scheme of red, black, white and gold.
