WA BEARS

[Bukowski]

Here’s a question ..: who has been the best South African convert to the NRL ? A few (not a lot) have made the jump… racking my brain to think of any successes …

Possibly a few in ESL. Tiane Strauss for the sharks I vaguely remember.
I went to a wallabies v south Africa test last year here in Perth. Some big SA guys in their late teens/ early 20s in the crowd, I mean really big, raw boned type fellas. I don't know if the Force have players with a south African background in their ranks but they are the perfect build.

 

[Wb1234]

anonymous-breach-pixelregistered-breach-pixelsubscriber-breach-pixel
NRL, WA government strike $85 million funding deal for grassroots investment, Centre of Excellence
The final impediment to the return of the Bears has been cleared with the NRL and West Australian government agreeing to terms on a funding deal for an 18th team in Perth.
Peter Badel
Peter Badel
@badel_cmail
2 min read
May 4, 2025 - 2:38PM
News Sport Network
The final impediment to the return of the Bears has been cleared with the NRL and West Australian government agreeing to terms on an $85 million funding deal for an 18th team in Perth.
This masthead can reveal the NRL and WA government held a decisive round of negotiations during Magic Round over the weekend to thrash out a funding model for the Perth Bears franchise.
The ARL Commission had agreed in-principle last week to press ahead with expansion to Perth - on the proviso the WA government would be forthcoming with a multi-faceted funding strategy for the NRL’s newest club.
It is understood the latest instalment of talks were successful, with the NRL and WA government agreeing to a $65m deal for grassroots investment, plus a further $20m injection for a Perth-based Centre of Excellence.
This article contains features which are only available in the web version
Take me there
Having agreed to terms on the level of funding, the NRL and WA chiefs will now discuss how the money will be distributed to ensure the new Perth franchise is a competitive force in its embryonic years.
The parties are in the advanced stages of signing off on expansion documentation with a view to a formal announcement this week after the completion of Magic Round.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is expected to fly to Perth to shake hands with WA premier Roger Cook for the official unveiling of the franchise that will give the code a legitimate national footprint.
Underlining the feel-good story of the Bears, Magic Round at Suncorp has witnessed scores of fans in North Sydney jumpers as diehard fans celebrate the imminent return of the foundation club after 26 years in the NRL wilderness.
ARLC and the WA government after agree to terms on a funding deal for the Perth franchise.
ARLC and the WA government after agree to terms on a funding deal for the Perth franchise.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is confident the Perth deal will be formalised, labelling the joint venture a huge coup for the NRL.
“The Bears deal is not finalised yet, but the euphoria I have seen has been extraordinary,” he said.
“That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to bring the Bears back.
“There’s a lot of people who support the Bears and they have a ready-made supporter base. They have the pathways with their juniors and it’s a perfect marriage if it happens with Perth.
“It could be one of the real success stories of the future.
“Perth is a goldmine for the NRL.
“It has enormous potential. It gives us a national footprint to a degree and the time zone works really well with our global and expansion strategies.”
Loading embed...
Those strategies include the NRL targeting rugby union in South Africa and Argentina to provide fresh talent supply chains for the Bears and Papua New Guinea, who enter as the 19th team in 2028.
“They are genuine targets absolutely,” V’landys said.
“Look at the rugby union player for the Roosters, Mark Nawaqanitawase (Wallabies convert) has been amazing.
“He will bring people to the game and converts take some time to adjust to the sport, but he has been successful after three or four games.
“If he is an example of what we can get out of rugby union, especially out of South Africa and Argentina, absolutely we will look at that region.”

Has this been posted ? I’ll delete if it has can’t remember seeing it

Total wa commitment is 85 million (65 million grassroots, 20 million for coe)

Abdo is travelling to Perth this week so cook can announce it

https://archive.is/8HYpU

 

[Jonty]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An amazing return to Newcastle <br><br>Thank you for attending <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MagicWKND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#MagicWKND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuperLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#SuperLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/I4TIVvVXXr">pic.twitter.com/I4TIVvVXXr</a></p>&mdash; Betfred Super League (@Superleague) <a href="">May 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shadowformz]

NRL inundated with inquiries from South Africa for Perth franchise

The NRL has had numerous inquiries from rugby union agents about the game’s venture into Western Australia.

www.smh.com.au

 

[shadowformz]

NRL inundated with inquiries from South Africa for Perth franchise
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Chammas at Magic RoundSportNRLNRL 2025
NRL inundated with inquiries from South Africa for Perth franchise
Michael Chammas
ByMichael Chammas
May 4, 2025 — 1.40pm
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The NRL will use its venture into Perth to target South African rugby union players to fill several spots on the Bears’ roster from 2027.

With the NRL on the verge of formally announcing a deal with the Western Australian government in the next week, the governing body has revealed its desire to make inroads into the union-mad South Africa.

Play Video

NRL Highlights: Panthers v Broncos - Round 9
Play video
8:39

NRL Highlights: Panthers v Broncos - Round 9

Penrith Panthers take on the Brisbane Broncos in Round 9 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the NRL had been inundated with interest from rugby union agents trying to cash in on the game’s expected venture into the west coast of Australia.

While the big-name stars are well paid, most players in South Africa wouldn’t earn the money on offer in the NRL, which adds to the appeal.

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“Since the speculation of the Bears team in Western Australia, we’ve been inundated by agents and by other parties wanting to tell me the opportunities of having South African rugby union players and how they would adapt to rugby league,” V’landys said.

The Springboks players will become a target for the NRL.
The Springboks players will become a target for the NRL.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

“But also it could open up a new market in South Africa because it’s got over 70 million people. So it could be a dual win in the sense that we could get some very, very good players but also get a new market in South Africa.”

The Australian Rugby League Commission has identified both South Africa and Argentina as target markets as it attempts to find 60 new players to fill teams in Perth and Papua New Guinea in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

It is an 11-hour direct flight from Perth to Johannesburg, adding to the appeal of the potential venture into South Africa.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

anonymous-breach-pixelregistered-breach-pixelsubscriber-breach-pixel
NRL, WA government strike $85 million funding deal for grassroots investment, Centre of Excellence
The final impediment to the return of the Bears has been cleared with the NRL and West Australian government agreeing to terms on a funding deal for an 18th team in Perth.
Peter Badel
Peter Badel
@badel_cmail
2 min read
May 4, 2025 - 2:38PM
News Sport Network
The final impediment to the return of the Bears has been cleared with the NRL and West Australian government agreeing to terms on an $85 million funding deal for an 18th team in Perth.
This masthead can reveal the NRL and WA government held a decisive round of negotiations during Magic Round over the weekend to thrash out a funding model for the Perth Bears franchise.
The ARL Commission had agreed in-principle last week to press ahead with expansion to Perth - on the proviso the WA government would be forthcoming with a multi-faceted funding strategy for the NRL’s newest club.
It is understood the latest instalment of talks were successful, with the NRL and WA government agreeing to a $65m deal for grassroots investment, plus a further $20m injection for a Perth-based Centre of Excellence.
This article contains features which are only available in the web version
Take me there
Having agreed to terms on the level of funding, the NRL and WA chiefs will now discuss how the money will be distributed to ensure the new Perth franchise is a competitive force in its embryonic years.
The parties are in the advanced stages of signing off on expansion documentation with a view to a formal announcement this week after the completion of Magic Round.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo is expected to fly to Perth to shake hands with WA premier Roger Cook for the official unveiling of the franchise that will give the code a legitimate national footprint.
Underlining the feel-good story of the Bears, Magic Round at Suncorp has witnessed scores of fans in North Sydney jumpers as diehard fans celebrate the imminent return of the foundation club after 26 years in the NRL wilderness.
ARLC and the WA government after agree to terms on a funding deal for the Perth franchise.
ARLC and the WA government after agree to terms on a funding deal for the Perth franchise.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is confident the Perth deal will be formalised, labelling the joint venture a huge coup for the NRL.
“The Bears deal is not finalised yet, but the euphoria I have seen has been extraordinary,” he said.
“That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to bring the Bears back.
“There’s a lot of people who support the Bears and they have a ready-made supporter base. They have the pathways with their juniors and it’s a perfect marriage if it happens with Perth.
“It could be one of the real success stories of the future.
“Perth is a goldmine for the NRL.
“It has enormous potential. It gives us a national footprint to a degree and the time zone works really well with our global and expansion strategies.”
Loading embed...
Those strategies include the NRL targeting rugby union in South Africa and Argentina to provide fresh talent supply chains for the Bears and Papua New Guinea, who enter as the 19th team in 2028.
“They are genuine targets absolutely,” V’landys said.
“Look at the rugby union player for the Roosters, Mark Nawaqanitawase (Wallabies convert) has been amazing.
“He will bring people to the game and converts take some time to adjust to the sport, but he has been successful after three or four games.
“If he is an example of what we can get out of rugby union, especially out of South Africa and Argentina, absolutely we will look at that region.”

Has this been posted ? I’ll delete if it has can’t remember seeing it

Total wa commitment is 85 million (65 million grassroots, 20 million for coe)

Abdo is travelling to Perth this week so cook can announce it

https://archive.is/8HYpU

Joint venture is interesting. It explains what I've been wondering. So it is the Bears that are back , but just not as a stand-alone so the foundation of this club will be 2027 with no North Sydney premiership recognition by the sounds of it.

Probably a good move in line with the two histories, one future slogan.

 

[Canard]

Joint venture is interesting. It explains what I've been wondering. So it is the Bears that are back , but just not as a stand-alone so the foundation of this club will be 2027 with no North Sydney premiership recognition by the sounds of it.

Probably a good move in line with the two histories, one future slogan.

Not exactly an extensive trophy cabinet to claim, anyway.

 

[wb2027]

That’s a very 1999 NRL rationalisation way of looking at the term “joint-venture”. This journo just used it to describe the partnership of the NRL and WA Gov getting it off the ground.

 

[mongoose]

NRL inundated with inquiries from South Africa for Perth franchise
We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

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Skip to sections navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer




OPEN NAVIGATIONMENU
The Sydney Morning Herald
Advertisement

Chammas at Magic RoundSportNRLNRL 2025
NRL inundated with inquiries from South Africa for Perth franchise
Michael Chammas
ByMichael Chammas
May 4, 2025 — 1.40pm
Save

Share
Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size

The NRL will use its venture into Perth to target South African rugby union players to fill several spots on the Bears’ roster from 2027.

With the NRL on the verge of formally announcing a deal with the Western Australian government in the next week, the governing body has revealed its desire to make inroads into the union-mad South Africa.

Play Video

NRL Highlights: Panthers v Broncos - Round 9
Play video
8:39

NRL Highlights: Panthers v Broncos - Round 9

Penrith Panthers take on the Brisbane Broncos in Round 9 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed the NRL had been inundated with interest from rugby union agents trying to cash in on the game’s expected venture into the west coast of Australia.

While the big-name stars are well paid, most players in South Africa wouldn’t earn the money on offer in the NRL, which adds to the appeal.

Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENTCONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
“Since the speculation of the Bears team in Western Australia, we’ve been inundated by agents and by other parties wanting to tell me the opportunities of having South African rugby union players and how they would adapt to rugby league,” V’landys said.

The Springboks players will become a target for the NRL.
The Springboks players will become a target for the NRL.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

“But also it could open up a new market in South Africa because it’s got over 70 million people. So it could be a dual win in the sense that we could get some very, very good players but also get a new market in South Africa.”

The Australian Rugby League Commission has identified both South Africa and Argentina as target markets as it attempts to find 60 new players to fill teams in Perth and Papua New Guinea in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

It is an 11-hour direct flight from Perth to Johannesburg, adding to the appeal of the potential venture into South Africa.

why do south africans only want to live in Perth? lol

 

[Cactus]

why do south africans only want to live in Perth? lol

After travelling over the vast Indian ocean they dont want to have to then cross the desert.

 

[Cactus]

It is understood the latest instalment of talks were successful, with the NRL and WA government agreeing to a $65m deal for grassroots investment, plus a further $20m injection for a Perth-based Centre of Excellemce

https://archive.is/8HYpU

If that $85m figure is correct its a bloody good outcome.

Originally it was $55m total ($35m for grassroots+ $20m for CoE)

 

[Nuke]

My gut, while not exactly a crystal ball, is telling me a Wednesday for the announcement. Maybe this week, possibly next. I'm thinking this week, though.

 

[BuffaloRules]

My gut, while not exactly a crystal ball, is telling me a Wednesday for the announcement. Maybe this week, possibly next. I'm thinking this week, though.

It’s gotta be this week … surely … couldn’t think of any reason why it would be delayed further

 

[Wb1234]

Pvl should be lobbying Albo for a new stadium In wa

Jointly funded with the state

Iconic

 

[shadowformz]

On the topic of South African junior talent worth poaching.....check this young blokes highlights out. Plays centre in union, would be a perfect 2nd row/edge forward in league.