WA BEARS

[i0Nic]

The point I'm attempting to make is that Sydney NRL fans don't tend to travel much outside of their home areas, which will likely also been seen this weekend with Penrith, even though Commbank is still in western sydney it's still far enough to dramatically effect crowds.

See other examples: Sharks finals 2024

 

[SirPies&Beers]

2025 RISE Development Kicks Off - NRL WA

What is the RISE Program? The RISE Program provides aspirational Junior Rugby League players and coaches with an avenue to obtain specialised training and education through a holistic Rugby League development experience. It is the first introduction to the WA pathway system, offering players...

nrlwa.com.au

hopefully the above program gets a big funding upgrade as part of the $120m west aussie gov pledge.

 

[Dragonwest]

Rise is a national run program by the NRL.

On the East Coast it was designed to be an on application placing for those players that miss out on being selected for Rep programs.

Here in Perth they have used it to replace our development program for the state squad players.

 

[Perth Red]

Rise is a national run program by the NRL.

On the East Coast it was designed to be an on application placing for those players that miss out on being selected for Rep programs.

Here in Perth they have used it to replace our development program for the state squad players.

So Jnrs after paying $250 club fees also have to pay $165 for RISE 5 training sessions? Ouch.

 

[flippikat]

Melbourne Storm have Brisbane Tigers and Sunshine Coast Falcons (North Sydney Bears).
Brisbane Broncos have Burleigh Bears and Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Gold Coast Titans have Tweed Heads Seagulls and Ipswich Jets.
Dolphins have Redcliffe Dolphins (Runners Up) and Norths Devils (Premiers).
North QLD Cowboys have the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters.
Unlike NSW Cup sides, aside from the Bears, the NRL talent dropping back is divided among multiple teams.

I wonder if that just makes it tougher for fringe/returning from injury players, being split between two feeder squads... ?

I remember the Queensland NRL clubs were keen on fielding their OWN branded reserve teams in Qld Cup a while ago (which I think the QRL shot-down).

Honestly, I think If we WERE to go down the path of an NRL reserve grade, we could still run a "State Championship" between NSW & Qld Cup teams AND it could be a bit more of a level playing field as the NSW Cup teams wouldn't be de facto reserve grade squads.

Imagine on Grand Final day, 4 games:

State Championship (3rd tier)
Reserve Grade GF (2nd tier)
NRLW Grand Final
NRL Grand Final

Heck, you could even get scope to add PNG & NZ champions into State League playoffs...

Say, NSW champ v NZ champ & Qld Champ v PNG Champ as semi-finals, then the winner of those two games in the state league GF - with NSW & Qld Cup no longer being used as virtual reserve grade, the best clubs of PNG & NZ might have a chance to compete in a one-off playoff

This of course depends on PNG & NZ having domestic club competitions that finish the same time as NSW & Qld Cup.

 

[Perth Red]

I wonder if that just makes it tougher for fringe/returning from injury players, being split between two feeder squads... ?

I remember the Queensland NRL clubs were keen on fielding their OWN branded reserve teams in Qld Cup a while ago (which I think the QRL shot-down).

Honestly, I think If we WERE to go down the path of an NRL reserve grade, we could still run a "State Championship" between NSW & Qld Cup teams AND it could be a bit more of a level playing field as the NSW Cup teams wouldn't be de facto reserve grade squads.

Imagine on Grand Final day, 4 games:

State Championship (3rd tier)
Reserve Grade GF (2nd tier)
NRLW Grand Final
NRL Grand Final

Heck, you could even get scope to add PNG & NZ champions into State League playoffs...

Say, NSW champ v NZ champ & Qld Champ v PNG Champ as semi-finals, then the winner of those two games in the state league GF - with NSW & Qld Cup no longer being used as virtual reserve grade, the best clubs of PNG & NZ might have a chance to compete in a one-off playoff

This of course depends on PNG & NZ having domestic club competitions that finish the same time as NSW & Qld Cup.

Id suggest reserve grade is inevitable as the NRL's wealth grows. The only argument against it is cost.

What that then means for state leagues in NSW and Qlnd is interesting. It is an opportunity to create a semi pro second tier that is locally focused and offers RL fans a cheap game day alternative to NRL. If UK can run 2 semi pro comps I dont see why Australia couldnt?

It might actually be better and be a more legit comp and see some leagues clubs come back in that have left due to non NRL link ups disadvantaging them. Could also make the NSW comp more statewide than currently. Could also see state comps in Vic and WA improve to form a 4 conference national branded comp of some sort. Hell even include NZ and PNG conferences like you suggest to brand it a pacific comp.

In WA at the time of the RL boom and Reds admission our state clubs (rememebring this is 35 years ago!) had $300k+ budgets and were bringing over players from east coast on contracts. If a Bears team sees that boom again here we may see that flow on at a local level.

 

[Wb1234]

They should use a slightly reworked version of their original logo, the side profile bear. It works much better for digital platforms, can become iconic and instantly recognisable, works well on merch etc.

Otherwise I like the bottom right here.

Retro/original style logos are what's in. It would work and harken back to the history of the club while feeling fresh.


View attachment 99772

Number 3

Replace Perth for ns

 

[Wb1234]

Didn’t realise he went from norths Brisbane to north Sydney

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Call it anything other than Reserve grade.

 

[Perth Red]

Number 3

Replace Perth for ns

NRL will probably play it safe and go with something along the lines of Nuke's idea. An updated Bears head not too dissimilar from now with nor shield or anything. They've shown all along they're really only interested in the 200k NS members.
Shame as they should keep concept that for NS to continue using in NSW comps and create something fresh and new for the new club imo. NS had no problems with redesigning their bear for Central Coast bid.

 

[Perth Red]

Call it anything other than Reserve grade.

Im sure its official name will be 'insert sponsor here' cup. Everyone else will call it what it is.