McGowan Government ups ante in new push for WA-based NRL team
Joe Spagnolo
The West Australian
Sun, 30 October 2022 2:00AM
The State Government has upped the ante in its efforts to get a WA-based National Rugby League team, forming a high-powered working group to make a Perth franchise a reality.
The Sunday Times can reveal the Government has appointed Labor politician Peter Tinley as chair of a working group which will “help facilitate the development of a third-party bid” to be the competition’s 18th team.
VenuesWest has also appointed consultants Freshwater Strategy to gauge “interest from potential third parties and determine the most appropriate bid structure”.
“There is huge interest on the east coast in having a WA team in the NRL competition,” Tourism Minister Roger Cook told The Sunday Times.
“It makes sense on so many levels.
“We have the best stadium in Australia, a fan base that is growing quickly and the time difference works well for TV schedules.”
Cook said if the NRL “wants to have a truly national competition,” then a Perth team was a must. “This is a great step to thoroughly investigate how a bid for the 18th team could work,” Cook said.
WA has not had a team in the professional league for more than two decades.
The NRL is an extension of the NSWRL.
In the 1990s, the Australian Rugby League and Super League were vying over broadcasting rights.
This lead to the NRL as we now know it and Perth-based Western Reds were cut from the league when the merged national competition was formed.
It means WA has been a virtual outcast when it comes to the national stage of rugby league.
The North Sydney Bears have already made noises about being the competition’s 18th team.
The rugby league spotlight again fell on Perth earlier this year with a successful State or Origin game at Optus Stadium, more than 59,000 fans attending.
In that game, the Blues squared the series with a 44-12 win over the Maroons.
Nearly 7000 visitors from outside WA were at the game — spending an estimated $13.3 million while in Perth.
“Two recent sell out State of Origin fixtures demonstrates that there is a strong and growing appetite for rugby league in Western Australia,” Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said.
“A WA-based NRL team would bring long term community, tourism and economic benefits to the state and grow and grow local participation in grass root sport, particularly female participation.”
The Redcliffe Dolphins will join the NRL next year as Queenlsland’s fourth side and the 17th team overall.
There is talk of a possible 18th team in the near future, particularly as the introduction of the Dolphins will leave an odd number of teams in the NRL.
The North Sydney Bears have already made noises about being the competition’s 18th team and there is talk WA could combine with the Bears in a possible alliance.
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman has already spoken with NRL powerbrokers about WA joining the national league.
Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman has already spoken with NRL powerbrokers about WA joining the national league.
Bears officials were in Perth for the State of Origin game.
“Although the State Government won’t be leading the bid or responsible for a potential franchise, we are confident that there will be a strong and compelling case for a WA-based team,” Mr Templeman.
“WA’s nation leading economy provides an enormous opportunity for the NRL to maximise corporate support and fan spending.”
The government’s working group, aside from Mr Tinley as chair, will comprise VenuesWest, and Treasury representatives as well as representatives from Mr Templeman’s and Mr McGowan’s office.
“There are so many West Australian rugby league fans who are looking forward to the day when they can support a WA based team,” Mr Tinley said.
“WA has strong foundations to support an NRL franchise with participation in the sport behind only NSW and Queensland, and encouragingly, nearly a quarter of all registered players are female.
“I look forward to seeing the development of a strong third-party bid and working with them in securing an NLR franchise for Western Australians.”
