Any expansion team needs to have a solid business plan for a chance at inclusion in the NRL ala the Titans, but everything I've heard about the WA Reds over the past few months indicate that they are well and truley up to the challenge.
W.A. also has a strong history of supporting their sporting teams. The Glory were the NSL powerhouse in terms of revenue and crowds, the Western Force are clearing a million dollars profit while the other Australian S14 clubs are losing money, and the West Coast Eagles are the benchmark club of the AFL along with Collingwood. All without using poker machine revenue as a crutch
The WA Reds, since there re-formation last year, have:
- Signed a 2 year naming rights sponsorship deal with an international company (BarterCard)
- Signed over 600 ticketed members (over 1000 members if non-ticketed are included)
- Are in the final stages of helping to negotiate South Sydney taking 2 games a year to Perth in '09 and '10.
- Are in negotiation with the W.A. government for a $30 million redevelopment of M.E. Stadium (inc. greatly enhanced corporate facilities).
http://www.warugbyleague.com.au/content/news/?page=3&nid=2951&oid=
REDS CORPORATE BREAKFAST THIS WED The WA Reds will announce a major naming rights sponsor at a home season launch corporate breakfast on Wednesday morning according to Reds Chairman, Geoff Baldwin.
This new partnership will keep our total sponsorship targets on track for our first three years and now that we are seeing results on the field inquiry from the corporate sector has increased enormously, Baldwin said.
“On Wednesday we will launch our home season to 60 corporate supporters at Chianti on Colin restaurant in West Perth with addresses from myself and from NRL Operations Executive, Graeme Annersley.
“The breakfast will be MC’d by Perth sporting personality and ex Western Reds player, Adrian Barich.
“We will also use this occasion to launch our Reds Business Club which centres on corporate networking and business promotion opportunities including regular meetings and a business convention in Sydney which will take in the NRL Grand Final.
"We are extremelly heartened by the wonderful sponsorship support we have had in our debut year and we hope to continue to build relationships as we work towards our target of having a Perth based team in the NRL wthin 5 years.
“Seats at the Breakfast are filling fast however, any business person who would like to know more about opportunities with the Reds, should contact Richard Campbell as soon as possible to confirm a seat, Mr Baldwin said.
and
http://www.warugbyleague.com.au/content/news/?page=3&nid=2960&oid=
NRL CHIEF OPENS DOOR FOR PERTH FRANCHISE
In an address to the new Bartercard Reds Rugby League team’s home season launch breakfast, National Rugby League Chief Operating Officer, Graham Annersley, confirmed this week that Perth would be considered in any future competition expansion.
Annersley was in Perth in the lead up to the Reds inaugural home game against the Sydney Southern Sharks on Saturday night at Members Equity Stadium.
“The Reds have taken the right approach in laying a foundation in the Jim Beam competition, it is obvious that they have the support of the State Government and the home ground at Members Equity Stadium is also another plus, he said.
“Clearly the WA Rugby league still has an enormous amount of work to do however the local board and management are an extremely professional group and there is already an impressive level of corporate support for the Reds.
“The WA Rugby League’s decision to establish a team to compete in the Jim Beam Cup as a vehicle to progress back to the NRL is a good one and we will be watching how that goes over the next couple of years, he said.
WA Rugby League Chairman Geoff Baldwin said that he was heartened by the positive comments from the NRL as they represented a significant change in attitude towards expansion and the re-establishment of a Perth based team.
“Our progression back to the NRL depend largely on good management, corporate support and attendances to our Bartercard Reds home games.
“The confirmation of Bartercard as our naming rights sponsor in a two year deal worth around $200,000 along with other major sponsor support has helped us lay a very solid foundation.
“This weekends opening game will be a test for the Reds against a Sydney Southern Sharks line up that includes former State of Origin and Test player David Peachey along with several NRL prospects.
“The WA Reds acronym is W.A.R. and we encourage fans to come along to the ‘WAR Zone’ for the opening battle this Saturday night with the NZ v Perth City curtain raiser starting at 5pm.” Mr Baldwin said.
Very impressive work for a club that is only months old and competing in the JB Cup.
When you consider that the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys are 3 of the most financially successful teams in the competition, the WA Reds are smart in implementing their successful strategies.
