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A PERTH-BASED NRL team would inject up to $28million into the local economy, according to WA Rugby League chairman David Hobbs.
Hobbs and WARL chief executive John Sackson will fly to Sydney this week to meet NRL boss David Gallop and pitch the WA Reds' case for admission to the national competition in 2013.
They will tell Gallop a major sponsor is ready to sign a $1.5-$2million deal.
Hobbs and Sackson will also attend an Australian Rugby League conference.
Hobbs said they would point out the success, not the perceived failure, of their predecessor the Western Reds, which fielded a side in the NRL in 1995 and '96 and as the Perth Reds in Super League in 1997.
"We've spent a lot of money researching the sustainability and feasibility of a team here in WA with positive feedback," Hobbs said.
"We need to emphasise that the Western Reds didn't fail.
"Back then we had 18,000 registered members and an average crowd at the WACA of 17,500. We also had to pay for flights and accommodation of visiting teams, which was just ridiculous. And since then we've had a massive influx of people from strong league states which take up permanent residency in WA from Queensland, NSW, New Zealand and the UK.
"We must also remember that a large portion of league supporters are working in the resource sector in both mining and oil and gas, which is why we see the Pilbara as a strong threshold for both development of the game as well as corporate support and membership.
"Let's face it, we've had over 19 kids from our junior ranks leave our state in the past 10 years to go east and play both first-grade and top-level rugby league.
"This will be great for the state of Western Australia and will certainly confirm that the code of rugby league is a true national game."
The WARL has restructured its board and Hobbs said it was ready to take on the enormous challenge of fielding an NRL team.
"This business will inject a minimum of $22-28million a year into the WA economy and will employ 80 people in this state," he said.
Key points of the Reds' bid will centre on:
* A newly appointed WARL board with clear direction in expanding the code from a junior level;
* The unanimous support of all NRL CEOs;
* The NRL won't be a true national game until WA is included, which will allow it to properly take on the AFL;
* Broadcasting from WA back to the east coast will be a key plank in the NRL's bid to secure $1billion in the next TV rights deal and offer advertisers the national exposure they crave in big markets;
* National and international TV exposure will promote the state of WA and encourage tourism;
* The WA Reds would spend $8m in wages, including $4.2m in player salaries, $3.8m in support staff and $380,000 in state payroll tax;
* Expansion of the local league clubs would follow with more than 1000 new members, boosting interest and participation;
* Further utilisation of nib Stadium as the largest tenant and the WA Government's $88m stage 1 redevelopment of the venue;
* A new major sponsor was ready to inject between $1.5m and $2m;
* The State Government would pledge its commitment once the expansion had been confirmed by the new NRL/ARL Commission.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nr...indfall-chairman/story-fn7shzfu-1226028730783
Hobbs and WARL chief executive John Sackson will fly to Sydney this week to meet NRL boss David Gallop and pitch the WA Reds' case for admission to the national competition in 2013.
They will tell Gallop a major sponsor is ready to sign a $1.5-$2million deal.
Hobbs and Sackson will also attend an Australian Rugby League conference.
Hobbs said they would point out the success, not the perceived failure, of their predecessor the Western Reds, which fielded a side in the NRL in 1995 and '96 and as the Perth Reds in Super League in 1997.
"We've spent a lot of money researching the sustainability and feasibility of a team here in WA with positive feedback," Hobbs said.
"We need to emphasise that the Western Reds didn't fail.
"Back then we had 18,000 registered members and an average crowd at the WACA of 17,500. We also had to pay for flights and accommodation of visiting teams, which was just ridiculous. And since then we've had a massive influx of people from strong league states which take up permanent residency in WA from Queensland, NSW, New Zealand and the UK.
"We must also remember that a large portion of league supporters are working in the resource sector in both mining and oil and gas, which is why we see the Pilbara as a strong threshold for both development of the game as well as corporate support and membership.
"Let's face it, we've had over 19 kids from our junior ranks leave our state in the past 10 years to go east and play both first-grade and top-level rugby league.
"This will be great for the state of Western Australia and will certainly confirm that the code of rugby league is a true national game."
The WARL has restructured its board and Hobbs said it was ready to take on the enormous challenge of fielding an NRL team.
"This business will inject a minimum of $22-28million a year into the WA economy and will employ 80 people in this state," he said.
Key points of the Reds' bid will centre on:
* A newly appointed WARL board with clear direction in expanding the code from a junior level;
* The unanimous support of all NRL CEOs;
* The NRL won't be a true national game until WA is included, which will allow it to properly take on the AFL;
* Broadcasting from WA back to the east coast will be a key plank in the NRL's bid to secure $1billion in the next TV rights deal and offer advertisers the national exposure they crave in big markets;
* National and international TV exposure will promote the state of WA and encourage tourism;
* The WA Reds would spend $8m in wages, including $4.2m in player salaries, $3.8m in support staff and $380,000 in state payroll tax;
* Expansion of the local league clubs would follow with more than 1000 new members, boosting interest and participation;
* Further utilisation of nib Stadium as the largest tenant and the WA Government's $88m stage 1 redevelopment of the venue;
* A new major sponsor was ready to inject between $1.5m and $2m;
* The State Government would pledge its commitment once the expansion had been confirmed by the new NRL/ARL Commission.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nr...indfall-chairman/story-fn7shzfu-1226028730783
