NRL WA

[Dragonwest]

North Beach's Jesse Rafferty came off the bench for Melbourne storm in the trial game against Canberra on Saturday.

 

[James Rick]

I've never been to WA so I'd be interested to know how big the Rugby League footprint is there and how it compares to the Rugby League footprint in Victoria. I've seen the results from recent 'Origin' games and I have to admit it's pretty impressive how WA keep beating Victoria given the difference in population and the fact Rugby League in Victoria has a 30 year head start (1910s vs 1940s) over Rugby League in WA.

 

[Nuke]

I've never been to WA so I'd be interested to know how big the Rugby League footprint is there and how it compares to the Rugby League footprint in Victoria. I've seen the results from recent 'Origin' games and I have to admit it's pretty impressive how WA keep beating Victoria given the difference in population and the fact Rugby League in Victoria has a 30 year head start (1910s vs 1940s) over Rugby League in WA.

Are you sure about that?
WA was the third state in Australia to start a RL comp. NRL WA (previously WARL) is the third oldest state comp in Australia.

I just looked online:
VRL started in 1952.
WARL started in 1948.

There really is a decent RL footprint here in WA. Mostly through ex-pat east coasters, and a large islander population. The large ex-pat UK contingent helps too, but not so much (they tend to prefer their round ball game generally).

And in general, WA is a sports-loving state. Yes, mostly to that shit 'seagulls chasing a chip' game, but WA people will get right behind a WA team if they feel the team represents them vs the east. Extremely parochial. The Perth Bears, if done right, will get the local general sports lovers on board and it will be a beautiful thing.

 

[James Rick]

Are you sure about that?
WA was the third state in Australia to start a RL comp. NRL WA (previously WARL) is the third oldest state comp in Australia.

I just looked online:
VRL started in 1952.
WARL started in 1948.

There really is a decent RL footprint here in WA. Mostly through ex-pat east coasters, and a large islander population. The large ex-pat UK contingent helps too, but not so much (they tend to prefer their round ball game generally).

And in general, WA is a sports-loving state. Yes, mostly to that shit 'seagulls chasing a chip' game, but WA people will get right behind a WA team if they feel the team represents them vs the east. Extremely parochial. The Perth Bears, if done right, will get the local general sports lovers on board and it will be a beautiful thing.

I was reading 'History of Rugby League in Victoria' on Wikipedia and it said Rugby League was first played in Victoria in 1912.

 

[Perth Red]

I've never been to WA so I'd be interested to know how big the Rugby League footprint is there and how it compares to the Rugby League footprint in Victoria. I've seen the results from recent 'Origin' games and I have to admit it's pretty impressive how WA keep beating Victoria given the difference in population and the fact Rugby League in Victoria has a 30 year head start (1910s vs 1940s) over Rugby League in WA.

Traditionally RL in WA has been much bigger and stronger than RL in Victoria. It peaked in WA in the early 90’s with over 10k registered players. That quickly declined during the SL war and the culling of the Western Reds to less than 1000 players by 2000.
2010 onwards saw a new revival for the game and we are now up to just over 4000 registered players. It is expected that Perth entering the NRL next year along with the wa govt’s $5mill a year grassroots funding commitment will see the grassroots game grow stronger.

in Victoria the intro of the Storm didn’t really have much impact on player numbers for many years. It’s only in last 7 years or so that there has been growth and in last few years quite significant. Their numbers now match WA’s at over 4000 and with the Strom getting much more involved in local jnr pathways Vic youth teams have improved significantly.

Both states have suffered for last three decades from a chronic lack of funding from the ARLC and an indifference to growing the grassroots nationally by the games governing body,

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Were you part of the peak of WA RL in the 90s from Hull?

 

[Perth Red]

Were you part of the peak of WA RL in the 90s from Hull?

I can probably lay claim to being the only reds fan to watch them play in England lol.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Karratha Kangaroos Host Pilbara ANZAC Challenge Again In 2026 - NRL WA

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nrlwa.com.au

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Over the last 12 weeks, our RISE ROOKIE Academy has been taking place, with males and females taking part in the RISE ROOKIE program – Incorporating rugby league specific skills, strength and conditioning, life fit skills and a raft of other initiatives, the RISE ROOKIE program delivered some...

nrlwa.com.au