WA BEARS

[The Penguin #6.]

Here on the Central Coast we once had the 3rd largest junior base in NSW, not anymore, participation numbers are well down, the league now adds female participation and league tag to their stats whereas these were not added in the past.
I look at the number of teams that are no longer represented in many age groups, rival clubs that have had to merge teams in various age groups, clubs that have folded and it shows how the game is now starting to struggle in a once thriving area.

Something I`ve noticed in junior League participation numbers in our own League stronghold here on the mid-north coast of N.S.W. It appears in those very young age groups, I`m talking U6`s, U`7`s the numbers are very strong, the challenge is keeping these kids in the game once we get up to the 13`s and beyond.
I would say this is the challenge that Rugby League faces, there is obviously a lot of goodwill towards the game in those younger age groups, parents are still quite happy for their kids to play the game, but we are losing them for some reason at quite a high attrition rate.

 

[DIOGENES]

Don’t know if anything has changed in the 50 years since I played under 14s but at that age people got serious about the games and there was little room for people like me who were “special (i.e. Hopeless) gifted”.
it became a sport for the elite at that age

 

[Perth Red]

Something I`ve noticed in junior League participation numbers in our own League stronghold here on the mid-north coast of N.S.W. It appears in those very young age groups, I`m talking U6`s, U`7`s the numbers are very strong, the challenge is keeping these kids in the game once we get up to the 13`s and beyond.
I would say this is the challenge that Rugby League faces, there is obviously a lot of goodwill towards the game in those younger age groups, parents are still quite happy for their kids to play the game, but we are losing them for some reason at quite a high attrition rate.

That’s the same in all sports. Lads get to 13 and find more interesting past times. the older the age group you get past 13 the smaller the player number in all sports, except lawn bowls lol

 

[Centy Coast]

This is just a straight up lie lol.

I won't stress what PR's already demonstrated, but both Dickson and Moore (chairman and board member FYI) have been quoted saying they want to play more than one game at NSO, and the current bid lays out plans to play up to half the season at NSO.

Omg imagine playing poker with this guy hahaha

 

[Pneuma]

Here on the Central Coast we once had the 3rd largest junior base in NSW, not anymore, participation numbers are well down, the league now adds female participation and league tag to their stats whereas these were not added in the past.
I look at the number of teams that are no longer represented in many age groups, rival clubs that have had to merge teams in various age groups, clubs that have folded and it shows how the game is now starting to struggle in a once thriving area.

Last year you had 300 junior teams and 40 senior teams there. That translates to 5000 players and that’s a lot. Yes there are females included and tag teams but that’s the game these days. That’s what we want. Cronulla have expanded its player base massively by this approach. It’s the future.

 

[MugaB]

Last year you had 300 junior teams and 40 senior teams there. That translates to 5000 players and that’s a lot. Yes there are females included and tag teams but that’s the game these days. That’s what we want. Cronulla have expanded its player base massively by this approach. It’s the future.

 

[Centy Coast]

Last year you had 300 junior teams and 40 senior teams there. That translates to 5000 players and that’s a lot. Yes there are females included and tag teams but that’s the game these days. That’s what we want. Cronulla have expanded its player base massively by this approach. It’s the future.

Still drastically down on previous seasons but then you have clubs like Wyong and the Entrance who each have over 500 registered juniors and three teams in each age group from U10’s onwards.
Erina are the next largest then there is a fair gap to the non leagues club backed clubs like Terrigal and Kincumber.

 

[Pippen94]

Any news on PNG bears?!

 

[Centy Coast]

Any news on PNG bears?!

Yeah you pay for admission to games with pebbles, rocks and stones lol

 

[MugaB]

Yeah you pay for admission to games with pebbles, rocks and stones lol

Mate seriously that's pretty low, theres people starving there, and also 10% who are as rich a f**k, there's also a middle class that would be seriously offended by that... im offended just after reading it..
You need to come up with better material... the papuans rate are game so highly that its their national sport, and you guys sitting in gosford cant even support the mariners let alone get the bears reinstated there... fancy telling papuans they are poor

 

[Colk]

Mate seriously that's pretty low, theres people starving there, and also 10% who are as rich a f**k, there's also a middle class that would be seriously offended by that... im offended just after reading it..
You need to come up with better material... the papuans rate are game so highly that its their national sport, and you guys sitting in gosford cant even support the mariners let alone get the bears reinstated there... fancy telling papuans they are poor

I agree. Some people might disagree with the idea seeing that it is a third world country (I’m concerned about how it works as well) but nobody should make light of poverty

It would be absolutely wonderful if the idea worked

 

[MugaB]

I agree. Some people might disagree with the idea seeing that it is a third world country (I’m concerned about how it works as well) but nobody should make light of poverty

It would be absolutely wonderful if the idea worked

It can, just need to base it in Australia, with working visas and fifo in on games there

 

[Marlins]

WA’s Deputy Minister talking about Perth Pirates & Perth Bears hopes of joining the NRL.

 

[The Penguin #6.]

WA’s Deputy Minister talking about Perth Pirates & Perth Bears hopes of joining the NRL.

Bloody hell, that didn`t take long, V`landy`s flushing out the W.A.`s right smart.
Looks like that bloke might have played a bit of League himself, you don`t get a nose like that from fumbleball.

 

[Perth Red]

WA govt are serious!

 

[Centy Coast]

Mate seriously that's pretty low, theres people starving there, and also 10% who are as rich a f**k, there's also a middle class that would be seriously offended by that... im offended just after reading it..
You need to come up with better material... the papuans rate are game so highly that its their national sport, and you guys sitting in gosford cant even support the mariners let alone get the bears reinstated there... fancy telling papuans they are poor

Just stating facts, with people suggesting placing an NRL team in PNG that many of the locals couldn’t afford to watch, makes perfect logical sense.
Don’t support soccer so why would I watch the Mariners.

 

[Colk]

WA govt are serious!

It took a while for him to get it all out. Look I think if you get to 20 teams your state will most likely get a team seeing the money you have. They just might have to fight for it a little more than they may have initially thought.

 

[Perth Red]

It took a while for him to get it all out. Look I think if you get to 20 teams your state will most likely get a team seeing the money you have. They just might have to fight for it a little more than they may have initially thought.

Good to hear pirates as well as bears discussions happening, puts to bed that nrl has said bears or nothing.

 

[Marlins]

In all seriousness Perth definitely deserve their own team. If the NRL do expand to 20 teams, it seems a no brainer. They tick most of the boxes.
- 4th biggest Aus city
- right size stadium for regular games & a big oval for the odd big game
- 3rd biggest state league comp
- good time slot for weekend games
- looks like they’ll be plenty of corporate support
- Government support
- Cool name and colors if they go with the Pirates

 

[Perth Red]