Source : ABC NEWS
For rugby league fans in Western Australia and North Sydney, the announcement of the Bears’ reintroduction to the National Rugby League is cause for celebration.
It ends WA’s near 30-year absence from top-flight league, following the axing of the Western Reds in 1997, and sees the North Sydney Bears colours and legacy continue on the west coast.
But a 2027 entry into the NRL Premiership is a short runway for a professional club to get off the ground, with the primary concern that the club is competitive from the outset.
That requires access to top playing talent, as well as the establishment of an administration to oversee the new club.
“Everyone thought the (Redcliffe) Dolphins wouldn’t be competitive, and they nearly made the top eight both years, and they’re still competitive,” Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’Landys said.
Peter V’Landys flew to Perth to announce the new side. (AAP Image: Richard Wainwright)
“I’m very confident the Bears will be competitive in the very first year.
“We’re going to make sure that we’re going to have the right infrastructure in place.“
A head start and bizarre proposal
One of the major advantages the Bears have over a true start-up is the access to the existing North Sydney supporter pool.
“The NRL sees the opportunity to revive the Bears, with the structure being old and new, marrying up the North Sydney franchise and moving it to Perth for multiple reasons,” former Bears player Billy Moore said.
A large media contingent was on hand for the announcement. (ABC News: Tom Wildie)
“The North Sydney Bears were evicted from the NRL in 1999. The club itself still existed, still had all the teams in the Junior League.
“The Bears are fully functioning, but without being at that top level.”
Moore said the Bears will enjoy strong support when playing in New South Wales, which will effectively give the club a home away from home.
Bears fans gathered at Norths Cammeray to celebrate their team’s return. (Supplied)
The Bears infrastructure of junior sides and talent pathways will also be a long-term benefit for the club.
It means the competition for young talent will increase, which other NRL clubs are already considering.
“The reality is we’re a big region, a big rugby league heartland, and there’s only so many (kids) that you can keep,” Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien said.
“We need to make sure we keep all the right ones.
“If we want to be the National Rugby League, then getting over to Perth is a good step.”
V’Landys also proposed one of the stranger possibilities heard in professional sport — a player sharing agreement between the Western Force rugby union club and the Bears in the NRL.
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“We’ve had talks with Twiggy [Andrew] Forrest in regards to the Western Force, and there’s an opportunity here that may never have been done anywhere in the world,” he said.
“The two teams could be combined to a certain degree, and can use each other’s players in specific matches. So we’re going to look at that.”
It’s hard to see that ever panning out, or Mr Forrest agreeing to it, considering the two codes are direct competitors, and players are their greatest assets.
“We look at the things outside the square, and that’s outside the square, and we’ll look at it,” V’Landys reiterated when asked about the suggestion.
No other concessions
V’Landys ruled out any salary cap flexibility for the Bears, which will be able to approach players from November for the 2027 season.
Instead, the NRL is confident the investment from the WA government will be enough to fast-track local player development so the club can source the majority of its players from Perth within several seasons.
The club now has to appoint a chief executive, which is expected in coming weeks, while the search for a coach has begun.
The Western Force will share training facilities with the new team (AAP Image: Richard Wainwright)
The Bears will play the vast majority of home games at Perth Oval, which is also shared by the Perth Glory and Western Force.
V’Landys said he would like to see improvements to the venue, which was recently renovated for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
WA Premier Roger Cook said there was no agreement for further work on the ground, though the government will build a $20 million high performance training centre, for league and union, in northern suburb of Malaga.
The foundation for the new side has been laid.
Now the clock is ticking on building it into a side that can compete on the national stage.
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