Premier Roger Cook has confirmed Western Australia’s 27-year hiatus from weekly top-flight rugby league has come to an end.
Premier Roger Cook has confirmed Western Australia’s 27-year hiatus from weekly top-flight rugby league has come to an end.
In a video posted to social media on Wednesday afternoon, the premier confirmed the long-awaited deal between the state government and Australian Rugby League Commission had been finalised, following months of negotiations.
Business News understands the premier will meet with ARLC chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo tomorrow at HBF Park to officially unveil new franchise – tipped to be known as the Perth Bears.
“I’m excited to announce today that the WA government has reached agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission to establish a new WA-based NRL club,” Mr Cook said.
“Not only will this be great news for sports fans, it’s also great news for our economy and great news for jobs.
“The new club will compete in the NRL premiership competition for the first time in 2027 or 2028 – and it will deliver a return for taxpayers.”
Mr Cook, who had been tight lipped on the matter earlier in the morning during a press conference in Kwinana, also provided some insight into the state government’s financial commitment to the deal, along with stating the club will be chaired by a Western Australian.
“My government will provide $60 million in direct financial support to the new club over seven years, to secure this opportunity for Western Australia – and a further $5.6 million in matchday and marketing support over the same period,” he said.
“But the return for taxpayers will be much more than this.”
The premier added that every dollar of government support would be spent directly in WA.
The last time a WA-based team participated in a nationwide rugby league competition was the Perth Reds, who were wound up following the completion of the 1997 Super League season.
This was primarily due to a $10 million debt incurred by the Reds, who were required to pay for the accommodation and airfares for every team flying into Perth for games on top of their additional away expenses.
The new franchise will also incorporate the North Sydney Bears – a foundation New South Wales Rugby League club in 1908 – which ceased to compete in their own right at NRL level from the end of the 1999 season.
Since then, the Bears have competed at NSW Cup level – the state’s equivalent of the WAFL competition in Perth – along with junior representative competitions such as Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg.
Between 2011 and 2020, NRL WA fielded a side dubbed the West Coast Pirates, which competed at SG Ball level, however did not return following the end of the pandemic.
