NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo (left) and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys. Photo: NRL.com.au
Perth is to get an NRL team after the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) and the WA Government signed off on it.
The WA/Perth Bears will join the NRL premiership in 2027 for five years, says ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys.
“… a team in the economic powerhouse of Western Australia is a natural fit,” he says.
V’landys claims strong attendances at NRL and State of Origin matches in Perth over the last 10 years is proof of a strong appetite for rugby league in that state.
“Western Australians … now have the opportunity to get behind a Perth-based rugby league club…” he says.
V’landys is happy that they have been able to bring back the Bears name, formerly of North Sydney and claims the name will attract east coast Bears fans to the Perth team.
V’landys also thanked WA Premier Roger Cook for helping make the team a reality and expects participation rates in the game to double over five years.
GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT
“There are already 240 schools engaged in rugby league programs in WA,” he says.
V’landys is counting on state government support to boost that number to more than 500 schools.
The WA Government will spend $60m over seven years on the club with $35m set aside for development, starting from 2025-26, according to media reports.
NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo said the game has a 77-year history in Western Australia.
“… we are excited for sports fans in Western Australia and the country who will no doubt get behind the Perth-based team when it enters the competition in 2027,” he says.
Cook says the decision is “a great day for sports fans” and the state economy.
“A new WA NRL club will deliver jobs and new economic activity, including a boost in tourism and visitation as the WA brand is exposed to millions across Australia and overseas,” he says.
Perth previously had the Western Reds, who played in the Australian Rugby League competition in 1995 and 1996 before they joined a breakaway Super League competition in 1997 and were axed at the end of that season.
The North Sydney Bears was originally established in 1908 but was axed in 1999.
