Looks like WA Reds are out!

[Perth Red]

Sad news (not yet confirmed) that we won't be in the BR cup next year. I can only imagine the ARL have refused further funding. Damn shame and a great disappointment for all us fans in the West as you can imagine!

 

[The Tank]

f**k!!! What a shame!

 

[CABRA ROCKS]

Sad news (not yet confirmed) that we won't be in the BR cup next year. I can only imagine the ARL have refused further funding. Damn shame and a great disappointment for all us fans in the West as you can imagine!

:shock:That absolutely 'SUCKS'.. Shame Shame Shame on the ARL :x

 

[Dogs Of War]

Would love to hear the reasons behind this, as it seems stupid to take a backwards step in developing the game

 

[dimitri]

Typical! FU(K

 

[Perth Red]

Latest is that we will be fielding a WA Reds SG Ball side next year! Apart from much cheaper than running a BR side, the theory is that we should be developing kids now ready for 2013 so we have some home grown talent in the NRL team from day one.

I think our kids could find it very tough going.

Official announcement due tomorrow.

 

[joshreading]

Whilst a bit dissapointing I think there is some sound logic in looking at an SG Ball team. Having some local juniors in the first grade roster when included in the NRL will give a huge boost in credibility.

I guess it is important to plan on having an under 20's team the year (ow two) before the full NRL side is entered.

 

[Perth Red]

yes I would imagine that is the plan if we get the nod. Presumambly expansion decisions will be made either late 2010 or 2011. We should be aiming to run an Under 20's 2011&12 if possible.

 

[Perth Red]

Confirmed. Damn shame we couldn't be funded to do both.

Monday, August 31, 2009

​

REDS / WA Rugby League step closer to NRL Franchise

​

After two years in the NSW based Bundaberg Cup the WA Reds will now change strategic direction as they position themselves for an NRL franchise bid by focusing on the SG Ball under 18’s competition, according to WARL Chairman Geoff Baldwin.

“The logistical and structural experience gained over the past two seasons has been invaluable and we have learnt an enormous amount about what’s involved with a Perth based team playing in a National competition however it is now time to take the next step focusing on our younger players”, Mr Baldwin said.

“If we are serious about providing a career path for our local players whereby they can be part of our inaugural WA based NRL side in 2013 then we must start by exposing them to the higher level sooner rather than later.

“From next season the WA Reds will cease playing in the Bundaberg Cup and will instead kick off in the National under 18 SG Ball Competition which is a recognised stepping stone into the NRL.

“In our view, expansion of the NRL competition by another two teams is inevitable and following the success of recent NRL games hosted in Perth and the solid structures we have set in place we would be very confident of being serious participants in the bidding process.

“We intend to ensure we are prepared and an important component of that is the preparation of local players who can be serious contenders by season 2013 which is likely to be when the League expands.

“We also believe this decision will leave our local senior competition in a much stronger position that it was before the current Reds and we are confident that we will now also attract many younger players from NSW and QLD as they see WA being a clearer pathway to the NRL.

“It is our intention to run a substantial academy with between 40 and 50 participants from whom we will select our SG Ball side however this initiative will also strengthen our WA State Representative teams and breathe new life into our 16s and 18s competition locally.

“Although the NRL remains coy about its expansion vision there are simply too many pressures for it not to happen and it is widely expected by most knowledgeable stakeholders, that an announcement will be made sometime next year”, Mr Baldwin said.

 

[Roland]

No doubt this will save money because there are only about 9 games and presumably the kids will be amateur but I would expect WA to lose half the games by 50 points.

If WA players born in 1992 who are expected to be good enough for NRL in 2013 would have benefited from playing a couple of tough seasons in Bundy Cup rather than 9 games per year in a junior comp.

 

[The Wrong Eye]

Also hearing Cabra are not 100% of being in the comp next year too.
Pity win the comp then gone , Similat to the The Entrance I guess.
There is still too much money being paid by the Leagues club backed clubs.

 

[tezzah1]

Came on the recommendation of the NRL I am informed... especially if the bid is to be for 2013

 

[The Tank]

Came on the recommendation of the NRL I am informed... especially if the bid is to be for 2013

Interesting... good if true, maybe the NRL are setting the Reds up for a franchise in 2013! *prays*

 

[joondalup_giant]

No doubt this will save money because there are only about 9 games and presumably the kids will be amateur but I would expect WA to lose half the games by 50 points.

If WA players born in 1992 who are expected to be good enough for NRL in 2013 would have benefited from playing a couple of tough seasons in Bundy Cup rather than 9 games per year in a junior comp.

Apparently it'll only cost half the money to fund, which leaves the other half free to benefit the local comp!

I dont think the purpose of having the SG Ball side is to win every game (would be nice!) but more raise the standard of the juniors that are coming through the ranks in the WARL

 

[joshreading]

Having such a set up will also help in attracting juniors from the union ranks or dual code players to make a stronger RL comittment

 

[Bluebags1908]

Came on the recommendation of the NRL I am informed... especially if the bid is to be for 2013

Where did you get this information from? It's not that I don't want to believe you, as it is great if the NRL has been taking an interst in the future direction of the WA Reds.

It's just that your location on your signature says Auckland New Zealand rather than Perth WA or Sydney NSW. How reliable is your source?

 

[tezzah1]

Purely speculation mate. But if the NRL for example may have informed the Perth franchise to look at junior development first and go from there wouldn't it seem reasonable to look at the juniors first insted of flegging a senior grade team for the hell of it -plus they have had limited success and at a costly financial price?

When I was told, it seemed like a logical choice that the Perth based team develop from the bottom up. I personally would love to see the game played everywhere in Oz but money talks right? Cairns based team Northern Pride are creaming the QLD cup competition. Fingers crossed they get over Souths Logan magpies.

 

[Bluebags1908]

Purely speculation mate. But if the NRL for example may have informed the Perth franchise to look at junior development first and go from there wouldn't it seem reasonable to look at the juniors first insted of flegging a senior grade team for the hell of it -plus they have had limited success and at a costly financial price?

When I was told, it seemed like a logical choice that the Perth based team develop from the bottom up. I personally would love to see the game played everywhere in Oz but money talks right? Cairns based team Northern Pride are creaming the QLD cup competition. Fingers crossed they get over Souths Logan magpies.

Yep I agree 100%. The WA Reds should focus on the juniors now. Hopefully the NRL has given them this advice as you say.

 

[tezzah1]

Northern Pride playing the Sunshine coast sea eagles in the final of the QLD cup. I find it funny that no GC or Brizzy city team has made the final.

N. Pride have confirmed another NRL fixture pre-season game between the NZ Warriors and NQLD cowboys. Must be nearing the potential of gaining an NRL team with the Pride working hard at making a stance for itself in the strongest QLD competition. The Cairns competition is top quality also!

Maybe if Perth looked at what they or possibly the Melbourne Storm of old did to create a possibly bid then something may come of the decision to have a SG Ball team?