Perth’s new NRL team the Bears have unveiled their inaugural home jersey in a nod to the North Sydney 1908 rugby league foundation club.
And jerseys went on sale online on Friday (August 7) and at the Melbourne Storm-Manly Sea Eagles game played at Perth’s HBF Park on Saturday, August 8.
(They have reportedly sold near $1 million and more than 4500 jerseys already, some media reports say; click here to go to a paywalled story.)
WA Premier Roger Cook says the government “expects legions of fans will travel with their favourite teams from 2027” when the Bears make their NRL debut.
(The state government points out that next year, Perth will join Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne as the only Australian capital cities to host NRL and AFL sides.)
PERTH’S TRIBUTE TO SYDNEY FOUNDERS
The West Australian club has already adopted their club nickname and logo from the historic Sydney rugby league club.
Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie says “while our club is new, it is not without history and we move forward on the foundations of the North Sydney Bears and rugby league in WA,” he told the club’s website (https://perthbears.com.au/) .
“We’re extremely proud to be taking the red-and-black colours into a new era while honouring our history.”
Bears chairman Ben Morton says that unveiling the home jersey is another big step towards their debut season next year.
“I’m extremely proud of the team and the work that has been achieved over the past year to get us to this point,” he says.
“I also want to take the chance to say thank you to our inaugural jersey foundation partners who have supported us and believe in our club.”
Head coach Mal Meninga is confident that fans across WA, and North Sydney, would rally around the jersey.
“It’s really important to acknowledge our history but also to create a new identity for the Bears here on the west coast,” he said.
“A bear doesn’t shy away, a bear stands up, a bear is bold and courageous, which is exactly what we are going to be.”
In 2028, the PNG Chiefs will become the 19th NRL team and who just signed Panther and Samoan Test player Brian To’o to a three-year deal.
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