WA lines up to back state-based NRL team

[Woodsie]

Western Australia has kicked off a campaign for a state-based National Rugby League franchise beyond 2023.

Work is now underway to find a third party bid the Labor government can support, amid expectations the NRL will expand to 18 teams from 17 after next season.

A cross-agency government working group chaired by Labor MP Peter Tinley has been set up to support the development of a third-party bid and assist the bid through the potential bidding process.

Preliminary work has already begun with consultants Freshwater Strategy to determine interest from potential third parties and the most appropriate bid structure, the government said on Sunday.

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said the two recent sellout State of Origin matches showed there was a strong and growing appetite for rugby league in WA.

"A WA-based NRL team would bring long term community, tourism and economic benefits to the state and grow local participation in grassroots sport, particularly female participation," he said.

"Although the state government won't be leading the bid or responsible for a potential franchise, we are confident that there will be a strong and compelling case for a WA-based team."

Community rugby league in WA currently numbers 4100 registered players.

HOLD TIGHT WA ... Florimo is on the way ...

 

[ManEagle]

The Western Bears, go for it.

Use to like the western reds before super league destroyed everything
They shot themselves in the foot and should have stayed loyal.

Just tad embarrassing having the National RL with only eastern states sides.

 

[The '47ers]

Western Australia has kicked off a campaign for a state-based National Rugby League franchise beyond 2023.

Work is now underway to find a third party bid the Labor government can support, amid expectations the NRL will expand to 18 teams from 17 after next season.

A cross-agency government working group chaired by Labor MP Peter Tinley has been set up to support the development of a third-party bid and assist the bid through the potential bidding process.

Preliminary work has already begun with consultants Freshwater Strategy to determine interest from potential third parties and the most appropriate bid structure, the government said on Sunday.

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said the two recent sellout State of Origin matches showed there was a strong and growing appetite for rugby league in WA.

"A WA-based NRL team would bring long term community, tourism and economic benefits to the state and grow local participation in grassroots sport, particularly female participation," he said.

"Although the state government won't be leading the bid or responsible for a potential franchise, we are confident that there will be a strong and compelling case for a WA-based team."

Community rugby league in WA currently numbers 4100 registered players.

HOLD TIGHT WA ... Florimo is on the way ...

Money no object with sponsors
Time slot works perfectly
✔️✔️✔️
Please don't be Bears though!

 

[The '47ers]

Gina Reinhardt has a spare $15M sitting there idle 🫣

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It’s an obvious choice, from a game time perspective.

4 live games on Saturday

3.30pm
5.30pm
7.30pm
9.30pm ( 7.30pm in Perth )

 

[ManEagle]

Gina Reinhardt has a spare $15M sitting there idle 🫣

As does the energy company Fremantle afl are looking at stopping

Maybe they can have all the mining companies and call them western power 🤣

 

[Heckenberg]

t

As does the energy company Fremantle afl are looking at stopping

Maybe they can have all the mining companies and call them western power 🤣

the western whites

 

[Disco]

Bring back the Bears I say

 

[Peter C]

It’s an obvious choice, from a game time perspective.

4 live games on Saturday

3.30pm
5.30pm
7.30pm
9.30pm ( 7.30pm in Perth )

Mark, I don't think my body could cope with the rigours of sitting on a couch for four games on a Saturday

 

[Damien2812]

WA hermits sounds good..😛

 

[ManEagle]

t

the western whites

To quote a certain range

"Please explain" insert dumbfk look here

 

[The '47ers]

t

the western whites

Bring back the Bears I say

Western Polar Bears?! 🤔

 

[Bearfax]

Been a strong supporter of having a Perth side for years. They already have two small RL comps in that state and there are a lot of ex pat NSW people there. In my mind its all plus. A new support base, new sponsorships for the game, encouragement for locals to take up the sport. RL has been for too long too bound to NSW and Qld. Needs to expand if it wants to broaden the game.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Western Polar Bears?! 🤔

East East London. Or East Durban. Or South East Leeds.

 

[manly al]

Always seemed a natural progression but let "s see how the Dolphins go for a couple of seasons . only so many N R L standard players to go around in the short term and without some gradual transition . Always maintained that South Africa could be a good source of potential League talent and with some more direct links to W A in general . Used to be a national S A league side back in the day . Panthers recruited a couple of S A union internationals back in the day also . Western Reds were relatively competitive , good chance that this can occur again without too much overall disruption and competition adjustment

 

[The '47ers]

Always seemed a natural progression but let "s see how the Dolphins go for a couple of seasons . only so many N R L standard players to go around in the short term and without some gradual transition . Always maintained that South Africa could be a good source of potential League talent and with some more direct links to W A in general . Used to be a national S A league side back in the day . Panthers recruited a couple of S A union internationals back in the day also . Western Reds were relatively competitive , good chance that this can occur again without too much overall disruption and competition adjustment

South Africa national rugby league team South Africa national rugby league team - Google Search

They're still hanging in there, having financial troubles I read though the mighty Rhinos.

 

[08Dream]

We already have the Wests Tigers so maybe the Even Further Wests Bears?

 

[KaZa]

It’s an obvious choice, from a game time perspective.

4 live games on Saturday

3.30pm
5.30pm
7.30pm
9.30pm ( 7.30pm in Perth )

Already hard to sit through 3!

I think they can play with other days with having WA in the competition. Imagine a sunday night 7:30 pm kick off. Prime time TV for Channel 9. Kicks off at 5:30 local time. 2 Sunday arvo night games on 9. Great for the game.

 

[HK_Eagle]

t

the western whites

Why not combine this and ManEagle's suggestion and we get.... the Western White Power

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Already hard to sit through 3!

I think they can play with other days with having WA in the competition. Imagine a sunday night 7:30 pm kick off. Prime time TV for Channel 9. Kicks off at 5:30 local time. 2 Sunday arvo night games on 9. Great for the game.

Yes I just used the Saturday as an example