Central Coast Bears - Stand Aside

[Red&BlackBear]

Valid points, and that's why the NRL wanted the Bears to prove they could get the Coast onboard via financial memberships - we all know they'll attend NRL games at Bluetongue, but would they support the Bears bid? Of the nearly 5700 memberships, nearly 4000 are from the Coast - 70%. The NRL as has been stated previously are delighted with the bids progress.

Exactly. But it's also important to remember in regards to spitty's point that the Central Coast Bears have an existing fan base which stretches 103 years. That is the beauty about the Bears brand, that is the power of the Bears brand. Something which ultimately completes the Central Coast bid.

 

[Beowulf]

As long as bid meets the criteria, it does not matter wether they come from WA, the Central Coast, Timbuktu or New York. imo.

As long as they show their areas wants it, and their bid meets the criteria. They deserve to be in the NRL.

re criteria, David Gallop has stated the following, and I'm paraphrasing from memory here!
- There is no preferred location for expansion
- All the bids have pluses and minuses
- The most advanced bid will be accepted should the NRL expand
- do we expand into a new region like Perth or stick to a heartland area like the Central Coast (these two teams referred to repeatedly over the past year)
- the business model must have long term sustainability
- the bid must demonstrate they add value to the competition and make the game healthier

As a proponent of the Bears bid I would read into this they want to expand by 2 teams, via 1 new territory AND 1 heartland bid.

You'd have to think the Reds are the most advanced new territory and the Bears the most advanced heartland by a long margin.

And by advanced, I mean they can remove all the question marks or uncertaintites for the NRL - ie minimise risk in their selection.

To do this, the Bears and Reds are selling memberships to prove support.

The only issue for the Bears is PROVING they add value - certainly making the game healthier by healing the super league wounds is obvious.

I would contend they add value by:
- reconnecting with northern Sydney, an area Manly have been unable to gain traction in since the Bears' demise, opening the way up for AFL, Union and soccer to make inroads.
- protecting the League region of Hills district-Berowra from the new AFL GWS Giants franchise who are targetting the region, and the Swans have opened up training facilities at the Central Coast Academy this past week also. Speculation already that AFL will look to Newcastle-Central Coast as a possible expansion target should the Bears bid fail (over 1 mill population with no AFL team).
- restoring a heritage foundation club - intrinsic value and pride for the brand NRL
- increase Sydney & Newcastle away crowd numbers by combining old bear support on the north side of Sydney with new followers on the Coast
- increase TV ratings in not just one State, with the Bears being historically many fans '2nd team'
- create massive marketing opportunities with Manly & Newcastle rivalries
- merchandise possibilities through the marketability of red and black and a nationally recognised brand

All of the above will strengthen the game, particularly in NSW, where it is needed, as it is the key battleground v AFL due to the potential TV viewership. If you deny AFL traction in NSW, the NRL will never be under threat.

 

[clarency]

"Speculation already that AFL will look to Newcastle-Central Coast as a possible expansion target should the Bears bid fail"

Speculation by whom?

The Central Queensland bid are using this same argument.

 

[clarency]

"Speculation already that AFL will look to Newcastle-Central Coast as a possible expansion target should the Bears bid fail"

Speculation by whom?

The Central Queensland bid are using this same argument.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

"Speculation already that AFL will look to Newcastle-Central Coast as a possible expansion target should the Bears bid fail"

Speculation by whom?

The Central Queensland bid are using this same argument.

Every bid except for W.A. is using this argument.

 

[Beowulf]

"Speculation already that AFL will look to Newcastle-Central Coast as a possible expansion target should the Bears bid fail"

Speculation by whom?

The Central Queensland bid are using this same argument.

Thin I know, but probably a similar source as CQLD - a friend who works for the Swans, whom I questioned re AFL intentions on the Central Coast following the Swans training facilities being established at the Academy. He said the AFL have identified all possible expansion sites for the future. He agreed most will never come off, but they are watching. These include:
Ballarat, Tasmania, Newcastle/Central Coast, Albury/Wodonga/Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Brisbane2, 'northern QLD', NT, NZ.

They are the only towns/regions in Australasia with 150K+ populations or heartland AFL without an AFL team or with sufficient population to have another team, basically. I don't thinks its a major concern, but all bid teams in NSW and QLD, not just CQLD, can use the argument.

They are making a concerted push into NSW/QLD as we all know, due to TV.

 

[bobmar28]

I don't believe it's an issue with the NRL as David Gallop has encouraged the Central Coast Bears and has said many positives things about our bid over the past 18 months. None of which mention or touch on location being problematic. The only issue he has stressed is about having the financial model completely worked out, which it has and the NRL is fully aware of the on going progression within the Central Coast Bears bid.

There has been nothing but encouraging signs in regards to our bid from the parties which matter. For that I am very positive that the Central Coast Bears have an extremely compelling case for NRL entry in 2013.

Including the TV networks?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Including the TV networks?

Considering WIN & NBN are our sponsors. Considering we add value due to having an extra game regardless. Yes, including the TV networks.

 

[Talons]

Exactly. But it's also important to remember in regards to spitty's point that the Central Coast Bears have an existing fan base which stretches 103 years. That is the beauty about the Bears brand, that is the power of the Bears brand. Something which ultimately completes the Central Coast bid.

You obviously have your finger on the pulse in regards to membership numbers on the Central Coast. Are there any concerns about loss of support from the North Shore sector of your bid ?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

You obviously have your finger on the pulse in regards to membership numbers on the Central Coast. Are there any concerns about loss of support from the North Shore sector of your bid ?

Not at all. The power of the Bears brand has actually initiated much support from the North Shore. Both on a corporate level and a fan level. Memberships are healthy coming out of the NS. Obviously alot of the work is being done on the Central Coast but the Bears haven't forgotten, nor will they, about the North Shore.

It's all been encouraging. It's a very unique situation that the Central Coast Bears are in. Having esstentially two regions under one team, one region has a rich history linked with the brand. The other region has a rich history linked with the area that brand intends of supplying a franchise too. There really hasn't been any negativity from NS or CC. Our own footy communities are fully behind the bid. It's really only a few outsiders who have tried to dampen our spirits and bid, much to their failure.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Central Coast Bears @ 5772 financial members.

The next Central Coast Bears membership drives @

MCDONALDS MINGARA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
DATE: Saturday 19th February, 10am - 3pm

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

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

 

[Red&BlackBear]

ONLY 43 DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE CENTRAL COAST BEARS BID GOES TO THE NRL!
http://www.facebook.com/centralcoastbears

 

[Beowulf]

167 financial memberships added in past week - motoring along very nicely!

 

[Red&BlackBear]

The next Central Coast Bears membership drives @

MCDONALDS MINGARA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
DATE: Saturday 19th February, 10am - 3pm

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

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

These are on today. Right now!!

 

[BDGS]

These are on today. Right now!!

Another day, another drive, another 70 odd members

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Go the BEARS!!

 

[mightybears]

If bears fans need inspiration to defeat a Brisbane2 bid, coming out of Davies Park [unlikely but!]:http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/40131189?

 

[Beowulf]

95% of the juniors at North Sydney Brothers registration this weekend have PAID for membership of the Central Coast Bears. This is one of the two teams closest geographically to Manly-Warringah in the NSDRL area. Seems even the lure of a GIVEAWAY membership from an existing NRL Club is not as attractive as PAID membership of a non-existing one. Great support from a stalwart club and an example of why Manly has not gained traction on the north shore and why the CC Bears are needed.

 

[BDGS]

95% of the juniors at North Sydney Brothers registration this weekend have PAID for membership of the Central Coast Bears. This is one of the two teams closest geographically to Manly-Warringah in the NSDRL area. Seems even the lure of a GIVEAWAY membership from an existing NRL Club is not as attractive as PAID membership of a non-existing one. Great support from a stalwart club and an example of why Manly has not gained traction on the north shore and why the CC Bears are needed.

Greats news, be prepared for some anti-bear poster to rip this apart soon though. :crazy:

 

[Red&BlackBear]

95% of the juniors at North Sydney Brothers registration this weekend have PAID for membership of the Central Coast Bears. This is one of the two teams closest geographically to Manly-Warringah in the NSDRL area. Seems even the lure of a GIVEAWAY membership from an existing NRL Club is not as attractive as PAID membership of a non-existing one. Great support from a stalwart club and an example of why Manly has not gained traction on the north shore and why the CC Bears are needed.

Very good news and great commitment from the junior clubs to the Bears. The Central Coast Bears keep growing in community support including memberships. It cannot be stressed how important memberships are to many club, let alone a fledging bid. With corporate support and sponsorships guaranteed, community support and a strong selling brand the years of hardwork is paying off. But no time to rest on ones laurels, there is plenty of hardwork left to do and with such an amazing core of fans and volunteers, we'll bloody give it the best possible shot to achieve our goals.