Central Coast Bears - Stand Aside

[Perth Red]

The game administrations couldn't be as stupid as to not include the Bears and the Reds.

This is RL, never understimate their ability to make stupid decisions!:crazy:

 

[Beowulf]

Yeah pretty much.

Correct it was the bid chief of Brisbane2 saying his bid should be in before the Central Coast. Classy. its one thing for fans like us to have a pasionate debate, but for bid chiefs to attack other bids is poor form. But from what I hear, its par for the course and one reason brisbane2 will fail - that abrasive style does not wash with the NRL.

The comments from the public re the article are inspiring however - 99% giving it to him in spades and calling for the Bears to be admitted.

 

[Perth Red]

I think taht is why fans are generally behind the Bears and Reds, they are being driven by the grass roots and fans where as CQ and Brisbane are money men. Not sure what to class Ipswich as given we aren't hearing anything from them.

 

[Timmah]

The quote about the "Bears shouldn't be admitted because there's too many NSW sides" came directly from Craig Davison, chairman of the Brisbane2 bid.

His quote is wrong anyway. There's not too many NSW teams, there's too many SYDNEY teams.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bears-boss-growls-over-media-reports/

Bears boss growls over media reports

Rugby League
16 Feb 11 @ 08:25am
by LAUREN NICHOLLS

BEARS chief executive Greg Florimo has dismissed claims that a Central Coast NRL team would hurt Newcastle and Manly.

Craig Davison, a director in the second Brisbane-based team’s bid, was quoted in media reports as saying the coast was too close to Sydney and would cause commercial damage to its nearby rivals.

Florimo refuted this, telling the Express Advocate that the Bears would, in fact, increase ticket sales at their away games against Manly and Newcastle due to the rivalry with those regions.

“We bring plenty to the table, not only to those areas but the whole of the NRL,” Florimo said.

He argued that they were filling a gap in a “rugby league heartland area”. “There are a whole number of fans from the North Shore who haven’t followed the game for years and would support a Central Coast team.”

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Just a reminder that the next Central Coast Bears membership drives are on this weekend @

MCDONALDS MINGARA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
DATE: Saturday 19th February, 10am - 4pm

WEST GOSFORD SHOPPING CENTRE
DATE: Saturday 19th February, 10am - 2pm

BIG BEAR SHOPPING CENTRE NEUTRAL BAY
DATE: Saturday 19th February, 10am - 2pm

 

[Red&BlackBear]

The quote about the "Bears shouldn't be admitted because there's too many NSW sides" came directly from Craig Davison, chairman of the Brisbane2 bid.

His quote is wrong anyway. There's not too many NSW teams, there's too many SYDNEY teams.

Poor ol' Mr. Davison. He gets all this media time and instead of using it properly by talking about what his bid offers and the potential, he decides to use it taking pot shots at more advanced bids.. He has already aimed at Ipswich & Central QLD.. I guess it was only appropriate he aimed one at the CCBears aswell.. I expect him to eventually aim one at Easts Tigers NRL bid too. That will probably be his bids big news for next week "Brisbane 2 boss says Easts Tigers are a waste of time"..

 

[Red&BlackBear]

The comments from the public re the article are inspiring however - 99% giving it to him in spades and calling for the Bears to be admitted.

Very positive and consistent comments. The Central Coast Bears have actually grown in support since last year and the fans are spread through out the country it seems. Very encouraging.

On a side note, it's refreshing that the Central Coast Bears bid team has stayed professional this entire time. Using the media time we get to touch on the positives, the potential and the achievements so far instead of taking shots at other bids. It's a level headed approach like this that will ensure we have the best possible bid. Concentrating on the hardwork now and making sure it's accomplished. The braggacio can wait until we have a team, not before hand (Mr. Craig Davison & Mr. Dennis Keefe take note).

 

[adamkungl]

The quote about the "Bears shouldn't be admitted because there's too many NSW sides" came directly from Craig Davison, chairman of the Brisbane2 bid.

His quote is wrong anyway. There's not too many NSW teams, there's too many SYDNEY teams.

No there isn't. Right amount imo.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

No there isn't. Right amount imo.

You honestly think that having 9/16 teams based in one city is the right amount? This isn’t the NSW Cup, it’s the NRL.

 

[Timmah]

I think there is probably cause to get rid of one Sydney team at some point, and as much as people hate hearing it, Cronulla really is a prime candidate.

 

[adamkungl]

You honestly think that having 9/16 teams based in one city is the right amount? This isn’t the NSW Cup, it’s the NRL.

It's the way the comp evolved, deal with it. Until clubs start choking each other, I will continue believing the number of Sydney teams is fine. Until then (if it ever happens) we should continue expanding. 9/18 looks a bit better. 9/20 looks fine, considering that Sydney is Australia's largest city.

And no, Central coast doesn't count as Sydney.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

You honestly think that having 9/16 teams based in one city is the right amount? This isn’t the NSW Cup, it’s the NRL.

Well one could argue that there is too many teams in Sydney and that it's like Sydney RL. However there is definitely room to grow in greater NSW. While Newcastle (Hunter), Canberra (ACT, and not technically NSW) and Dragons (Wollongong) have franchises, the Central Coast have the population/consumer demand, resources and infrastucture for a team.

The Central Coast Bears bid/club/team/franchise won't hamper any existing Sydney or greater NSW franchises. Demographically, the region is growing at a fast rate and from a corporate point of view, the Bears brand and pre-established support group stretching generations combined with the growing potential of the Central Coast region makes for a strong unity and foundation for a succesful Central Coast Bears franchise.

All the debating so far in regard to, too many teams in NSW, has been on the back of speculation. Considering the Central Coast Bears already have sponsors whom didn't take away from existing teams therefore bringing in new sponsorship dollars and with thought on the Sports Center of Excellence at Mt. Penang, this clearly puts that debate to rest. The population is ripe and this bid team is working over time to ensure the Central Coast Bears NRL bid is as water tight as possible.

The membership drives continue this weekend (see previous post for details).

 

[Timmah]

I think there is probably cause to get rid of one Sydney team at some point, and as much as people hate hearing it, Cronulla really is a prime candidate.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

It's the way the comp evolved, deal with it. Until clubs start choking each other, I will continue believing the number of Sydney teams is fine. Until then (if it ever happens) we should continue expanding. 9/18 looks a bit better. 9/20 looks fine, considering that Sydney is Australia's largest city.

And no, Central coast doesn't count as Sydney.

You don’t think some clubs are choking already?

 

[adamkungl]

You don’t think some clubs are choking already?

Cronulla has had some trouble due to their own management incompetence; off field indiscretions, poor responses to said discretions, poor signings and poor onfield performance. I don't believe geography is their problem.

Newcastle....aren't in Sydney.

 

[Perth Red]

TBF its not like any clubs are doing financially great. I guess you would need to compare Sydney clubs gainst non Sydney clubs financially to see if an over saturation in NSW is impacting on clubs income compared to one region teams. You would also need to have an understanding of attendance income v's corporate support and if the majority of corporate support is small local businesses with an affinity to a particular club or large companies who are most interested in being linked to NRL. You then have to throw into the pot the "value to the competition" component ie would having less Sydney teams mean less TV viewers/ media investment or interest from NRL sponsors Not an easy way of getting any reliable outcome result I would suggest.

I'd be happy to see grants go up, min criteria set and whack up the salary cap. Strongest will survive.

 

[Garts]

The quote about the "Bears shouldn't be admitted because there's too many NSW sides" came directly from Craig Davison, chairman of the Brisbane2 bid.

His quote is wrong anyway. There's not too many NSW teams, there's too many SYDNEY teams.

True but the fact is Sydney is still a part of NSW. Like it or not the large number of teams in NSW will be large factor in the decision of which teams get admitted. It really is the only think going against the CC bid imo. They are head and shoulders above anyone else, this is the only potenial issue.

 

[adamkungl]

TBF its not like any clubs are doing financially great. I guess you would need to compare Sydney clubs gainst non Sydney clubs financially to see if an over saturation in NSW is impacting on clubs income compared to one region teams. You would also need to have an understanding of attendance income v's corporate support and if the majority of corporate support is small local businesses with an affinity to a particular club or large companies who are most interested in being linked to NRL. You then have to throw into the pot the "value to the competition" component ie would having less Sydney teams mean less TV viewers/ media investment or interest from NRL sponsors Not an easy way of getting any reliable outcome result I would suggest.

I'd be happy to see grants go up, min criteria set and whack up the salary cap. Strongest will survive.

Melbourne, Newcastle, Canberra, Nth QLD - financial powerhouses compared to poor choking Sydney clubs :sarcasm:

 

[Perth Red]

True and may be a suggestion that small regional areas can't compete as well? The fact that three of those four clubs are in some of the smallest pop areas/corporate bases of NRL teams may suggest that any new teams need to be situated where there is a large pop and a large corporate base. Melbourne are a financial powerhouse, sure one of its big sources of income we may not like but there is a reason that it is there and that is due to value to that investor in other ways ie Pay TV. News could have been pocketing all that NRL money over the eyars but chose to invest some of it into a club that obviously has value to them.