Perth Bears

[wb2027]

And ns fans will have to forgive the fact WA Rl fans want the NEW club to represent WA and not look like NS with a Perth name slapped on the NS badge And kit.
there will need to be compromise on both sides if the club is to maximise fan buy in.

I didn't say it shouldn't look new. I explained the reasons behind the club's rationale, how they've been burned before by compromising too much, and why it isn't just "but we want it".

This is an extremely unique scenario that doesn't have any similar counterparts to point to as an example, so it's not going to be as simple as the Rabbitoh's in 2002 looking the same as they did in 1999, or as drastic as the NRL Dolphins brand being distinctly very different compared to Redcliffe.

 

[Perth Red]

I didn't say it shouldn't look new. I explained the reasons behind the club's rationale, how they've been burned before by compromising too much, and why it isn't just "but we want it".

This is an extremely unique scenario that doesn't have any similar counterparts to point to as an example, so it's not going to be as simple as the Rabbitoh's in 2002 looking the same as they did in 1999, or as drastic as the NRL Dolphins brand being distinctly very different compared to Redcliffe.

I could get the push back if someone was suggesting a full yellow and black jersey with a dash of red but having a dash of yellow or gold on a traditional ns design seems a fair compromise, to me at least.

 

[blue bags]

What's the plan regarding a Perth Bear's
Leagues club ?

And NSW cup team North Sydney Bears
Feeder club for south Sydney Rabbitohs
At the moment. What's going to happen regarding that situation ,?

 

[reanimate]

Whole point of the existing brand is to not drastically change it.

Therefore, it won’t be drastically changed. Updated and modernised sure. But that’s the extent of it.

You guys started dropping more white into your kits in the 90s when, as far as I’m aware, it had only really featured around the collar before. The prominence of the white in those jerseys was a big change from the past. If you can get used to that, you can get used to some yellow/gold trim to include WA.

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

​

Perth Bears eye 30,000 members, NRL's biggest fanbase​

Scott Bailey
Mon 12 May 2025 at 11:22 am AEST·3-min read

The head of rugby league in Western Australia has predicted the Perth Bears will have 30,000 local members in their first season and lay claim to one of the NRL's biggest fanbases.
Half a week on from being confirmed as the league's 18th team, officials have begun laying the groundwork for the Bears' competition entry in 2027.
A board is expected to be implemented by the NRL in coming weeks, with former state Labor minister Peter Tinley among those linked to a role as one of at least three West Australian directors.
That will clear the way for a CEO and coach to be named, with Brad Arthur the favourite to mentor the team and Sam Burgess also interested.
Off the field, local officials are confident they can amass a significant following.
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Next month's State of Origin game at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium is expected to be the third straight to sell out in Perth, while NRL double-headers have attracted crowds of between 30,000 and 46,000.
There is potential for strong support from devotees from the Western Reds days of the mid-1990s, along with ex-pats from both the east coast and England.
"I believe if this is done really meticulously and professionally, I would say 30,000 local members. I think 30,000 is achievable," NRL WA CEO John Sackson told AAP.
"I really do.
"If you look at some of the crowds we have been getting, sold-out crowds at HBF Park. Origin, there will be 60,000 there.
"They are all potential members, they are showing an interest in rugby league. The 41,000 at the 2023 double-header. The 31,000 this year amid the backlash (amid negotiations).
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"The excitement around the market, I am getting texts from people saying where do I sign?"
Sackson said he had already been approached by several potential sponsors before last week's official announcement.
Part of the NRL WA boss's confidence comes in the form of the Bears' history, with news of their NRL return sparking emotional in North Sydney last week.
The Bears' name, logo and colours are expected to give the club a legitimate following for away games, something other expansion sides have struggled with.

"I think it can be a countrywide juggernaut," Sackson said.
"You have two sets of fans, the North Sydney Bears and Reds, who were ruthlessly ejected from their competitions and a lot of those fans went into hibernation.
"They were disenfranchised, disillusioned and a lot lost to the game of rugby league.
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"Now those fans have a second chance to support the Bears and West Australian franchise.
"If there is harmony and unity between the two fan bases, it could potentially be the biggest fan base in the competition."

 

[Perth Red]

What's the plan regarding a Perth Bear's
Leagues club ?

And NSW cup team North Sydney Bears
Feeder club for south Sydney Rabbitohs
At the moment. What's going to happen regarding that situation ,?

Unless they buy one in Sydney none, pokies aren’t allowed outside the casino in WA. Hopefully Norths LC will actually start finding NSFC properly though.

NS currently partner with Storm, that’ll change next year you’d think to start stocking it with talented 20-23 year olds ready for 2027 and beyond.

 

[Perth Red]

​

Perth Bears eye 30,000 members, NRL's biggest fanbase​

Scott Bailey
Mon 12 May 2025 at 11:22 am AEST·3-min read

The head of rugby league in Western Australia has predicted the Perth Bears will have 30,000 local members in their first season and lay claim to one of the NRL's biggest fanbases.
Half a week on from being confirmed as the league's 18th team, officials have begun laying the groundwork for the Bears' competition entry in 2027.
A board is expected to be implemented by the NRL in coming weeks, with former state Labor minister Peter Tinley among those linked to a role as one of at least three West Australian directors.
That will clear the way for a CEO and coach to be named, with Brad Arthur the favourite to mentor the team and Sam Burgess also interested.
Off the field, local officials are confident they can amass a significant following.
ADVERTISEMENT

Next month's State of Origin game at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium is expected to be the third straight to sell out in Perth, while NRL double-headers have attracted crowds of between 30,000 and 46,000.
There is potential for strong support from devotees from the Western Reds days of the mid-1990s, along with ex-pats from both the east coast and England.
"I believe if this is done really meticulously and professionally, I would say 30,000 local members. I think 30,000 is achievable," NRL WA CEO John Sackson told AAP.
"I really do.
"If you look at some of the crowds we have been getting, sold-out crowds at HBF Park. Origin, there will be 60,000 there.
"They are all potential members, they are showing an interest in rugby league. The 41,000 at the 2023 double-header. The 31,000 this year amid the backlash (amid negotiations).
ADVERTISEMENT

"The excitement around the market, I am getting texts from people saying where do I sign?"
Sackson said he had already been approached by several potential sponsors before last week's official announcement.
Part of the NRL WA boss's confidence comes in the form of the Bears' history, with news of their NRL return sparking emotional in North Sydney last week.
The Bears' name, logo and colours are expected to give the club a legitimate following for away games, something other expansion sides have struggled with.

"I think it can be a countrywide juggernaut," Sackson said.
"You have two sets of fans, the North Sydney Bears and Reds, who were ruthlessly ejected from their competitions and a lot of those fans went into hibernation.
"They were disenfranchised, disillusioned and a lot lost to the game of rugby league.
ADVERTISEMENT

"Now those fans have a second chance to support the Bears and West Australian franchise.
"If there is harmony and unity between the two fan bases, it could potentially be the biggest fan base in the competition."

I’m expecting we could be in Top 4 memberships straight away. 10-15k ns fans and 15-20k wa fans puts us there.

 

[blue bags]

Which junior Perth clubs could be feeder Clubs for the Perth Bear's ?

And The Perth Bear's Leagues club.
Would be fantastic to be close to HBF. And training ground

 

[Perth Red]

Which junior Perth clubs could be feeder Clubs for the Perth Bear's ?

And The Perth Bear's Leagues club.
Would be fantastic to be close to HBF. And training ground

No pokies in wa equals no leagues club

WA and NS jnr clubs

 

[PRLFC27]

Which junior Perth clubs could be feeder Clubs for the Perth Bear's ?

And The Perth Bear's Leagues club.
Would be fantastic to be close to HBF. And training ground

I'd suggest that all clubs would be feeders initially given the limited number of local teams.

Training ground will only be temporary until the facility at Malaga is built. The Force train at HBF, so I'd suggest The Bears will do the same and could occasionally do runs at Charles Riley memorial (close to Scarborough Beach).

I know many people will say Ken Allen Field, but it's honestly in the middle of BF nowhere and the boys need to be around inner city Perth as much as possible for increased visibility and community engagement.

I think a leagues club in WA may be hard to get off the ground without gambling, so rather an affiliation with a hotel on Beaufort Street may be best initially, i.e Brisbane Hotel, Queens Tavern etc.

 

[wb2027]

You guys started dropping more white into your kits in the 90s when, as far as I’m aware, it had only really featured around the collar before. The prominence of the white in those jerseys was a big change from the past. If you can get used to that, you can get used to some yellow/gold trim to include WA.

1970, the Roy Francis "Walk Off" jersey was the first use of white outside of the collars, numbers and bear badges. Only lasted one year.

I take it Manly didn't get used to the blue they introduced in the 90's?

 

[reanimate]

1970, the Roy Francis "Walk Off" jersey was the first use of white outside of the collars, numbers and bear badges. Only lasted one year.

I take it Manly didn't get used to the blue they introduced in the 90's?

There you go, the full time introduction of white on Bears jerseys in the 90s was a big change that Bears fans got used to.

Manly’s Pepsi blue was around for the Pepsi sponsorship and a lot of people liked it, the heritage jerseys that use the blue always sell well. You’ll get used to having yellow/gold if you adopt it, you may even grow to like it.

 

[ThornlieBear]

You guys started dropping more white into your kits in the 90s when, as far as I’m aware, it had only really featured around the collar before. The prominence of the white in those jerseys was a big change from the past. If you can get used to that, you can get used to some yellow/gold trim to include WA.

Is the collar not part considered part of a year anymore?

 

[wb2027]

You’ll get used to having yellow/gold if you adopt it, you may even grow to like it.

I'm already getting used to it with the Dolphins, who seem to be making an effort to claim it this season.

 

[reanimate]

Is the collar not part considered part of a year anymore?

The difference is most teams’ jerseys had a white collar, it wasn’t really one of Norths’ main colours as it was for the Roosters etc.

 

[ThornlieBear]

I'm already getting used to it with the Dolphins, who seem to be making an effort to claim it this season.

Interesting take. I've seen complaints about the lack of gold on their 2025 home jersey and that they are "reverting" back to Redcliffe.

 

[Perth Red]

Interesting take. I've seen complaints about the lack of gold on their 2025 home jersey and that they are "reverting" back to Redcliffe.

That Redcliffe jersey they played in recently is by far the best design for them and should have been their iconic jersey from Yr1 imo!

 

[blue bags]

Maybe a walk in Shop. Like Peter Wynn's shop
Specialist in all NRL item's
Would be an idea

 

[blue bags]

That Redcliffe jersey they played in recently is by far the best design for them and should have been their iconic jersey from Yr1 imo!

View attachment 102072

Yes but other existing NRL clubs objected to the jersey

 

[RedVee]

1970, the Roy Francis "Walk Off" jersey was the first use of white outside of the collars, numbers and bear badges. Only lasted one year.

I take it Manly didn't get used to the blue they introduced in the 90's?

I liked the 90s Norths jerseys, and the red and black hoops of the 70s. The other jerseys, like red with a few shoulder stripes, not so much.
The white with belly stripes in 1970, not at all… though wasn’t that resurrected in the GC Seagulls Wally years?