West Coast Pirates Bid News

[Perth Red]

I was at his breakfast presentation this morning, I'll share the comments he made shortly.

 

[Diesel]

Slightly OT but did they mention expansion into either Q.Cup or NSW Cup for WC or any other areas

 

[Perth Red]

Yes he did in a round about way. He suggested the WARl should set their next attainable goal and work to that. I read into that a NSW cup team.

 

[Perth Red]

A team in the NRL no closer for the Pirates

WA rugby league fans shouldn't get excited just yet.
The sun may never rise on Western Australia's plans to once again host a rugby league franchise with the Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission lukewarm about expansion plans.
At a breakfast of stakeholders in Perth on Thursday, John Grant said expansion wasn't an immediate priority.
"Some specifics around whether a fan base that can actually support it and a player base that can support a footy team, because what you don't want to have happen is you don't want have a new footy team and all the players come over from the eastern states," he said.
For the past few years the West Australian Rugby League has been working very hard to bid for a Perth based NRL side in an expanded competition.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-...ection=wa&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

 

[WayneBennett]

Reckon John Grants waistline is ripe for Expansion at the moment

 

[Perth Red]

Took some snaps of progress on the new nib stadiu stands whilst at the breakfast:

South stand nearly finished

Main stand under construction. Very steep rake and going to put the fans right on top of the action!

 

[The Great Dane]

Looking good, but they rely did use the leftover seats from AAMI stadium didn't they :lol::lol:.

 

[Perth Red]

yeh, do you think it was the same supplier by any chance?

 

[The Great Dane]

yeh, do you think it was the same supplier by any chance?

Maybe, it is pretty funny though :lol:.

 

[BunniesMan]

I wonder how WA taxpayers will feel if expansion keeps getting delayed after they've spent so much money on the stadium. Could turn good will against the NRL.

 

[jargan83]

I wonder how WA taxpayers will feel if expansion keeps getting delayed after they've spent so much money on the stadium. Could turn good will against the NRL.

Given the Western Force and the Perth Glory use the ground the project was going ahead regardless

 

[Perth Red]

yep, plus there will be 3 NRL games a year held there plus the WARL final and hopefully a test match or two. Surely we must get some WC games next time?

There was some extra expense in putting in a 3rd home team changing room for a NRL side and I think the WA govt are a bit peeved as they were hoping on the extra rental income from an NRL club to help justify the $95mill spend but hopefully a delay of 2-3 years isn't going to cause too much problem.

 

[Perth Red]

WA Pirates vow to fight on for NRL side


The West Coast Pirates have vowed to make their bid for a Perth-based NRL side "irresistible" when the ARL Commission (ARLC) puts expansion back on the agenda in 2014.
The seven organisations bidding for a NRL side - including groups from Brisbane, Ipswich, Perth and the NSW central coast - were dealt a huge blow on Monday when the ARLC effectively ruled out expansion until at least 2017.
The Pirates are hot favourites to be granted a NRL licence when the league eventually decides to expand, with Western Australia's time zone playing into the bid team's favour.
The Western Australian Rugby League (WARL) have been working since 2007 to get a Perth-based NRL side up and running.
WARL chief executive John Sackson admitted the latest delay in expansion had been a big blow, but said it wouldn't deter the Pirates from coming back stronger when the issue was re-opened at the end of the 2014 season.
"I can't deny the outcome is very disappointing for us, because we were led to believe that expansion was probably likely," Sackson said on Thursday.
"One of the most frustrating things over recent times has been the uncertainly and the misleading speculation.
"But at least now ... we have a real destination, a real target to aim for and to plan towards, and that is post-season 2014.
"We want to build a team that has strong foundations and a club that's going to be here for an eternity, not one that will crash and burn.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...-to-fight-on-for-nrl-side-20121101-28mht.html

 

[Perth Red]

Personally I think our goal for the next few years until we get expansion should be:

Continue with an SG Ball side
New strategy for Jnr growth in WA, aim to double our Jnr numbers over 4 years
2015 WC Pirates enter NSW cup
get paid members up to 5000 and supporters up to 10,000
2017 enter NRL

 

[Perth Red]

Breakfast with Chairman John Grant​

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We were very pleased that ARLC Chairman John Grant took time to address 70 people at a breakfast this week, including government representatives, sponsors, media and our rugby league club officials. The breakfast was followed by a well attended media conference.
In summary, John Grant articulated the 2013 – 2017 Strategic Vision, which was very well received and appreciated by those attending.
The Plan will be good for WA although a national NRL franchise has been pushed back. The response by the WA Rugby League for the future is as follows:
Following the announcement of the 2013 – 2017 Strategic Vision by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the Western Australian Rugby League (WARL) endorses its objectives and look forward to growing the game in WA in future years.
While the rugby league community in WA will be disappointed in not having the door open immediately for an NRL team with talk of expansion being put back two years, it will not stop the process that was started in 2007.
Ultimately having our own team will broaden the pathway and development of our game here, but we now have an opportunity to strengthen our grassroots football even more and be ready to provide the support with players and structures in place for short term success.
There will be opportunities for new funding and resources for the state, and it will be up to us to ensure we use that to increase our participation base, clubs and development structures from six and seven year olds through to our first grade and representative competitions.
We have developed a very good relationship with the ARLC and are confident that this new approach to the game will ultimately give us the best outcomes for success in the state. It will not be a matter of if, but when an NRL team franchise happens, and you can be assured we will not falter to achieve this goal.
The WA Rugby League will also maintain an active Pirates annual program which will provide promotional opportunities through local and national games held here. The WARL Board will be keen to provide a long term platform for this important facet of the development of the game.
There is a strong understanding by the ARLC about building the game here and we can only benefit by that. The plan released talks about nationally integrated development, pathways and grassroots development, which are critical to the success of the code as well as a national team based here.
There is a commitment for three NRL Premiership games here from next year with the potential of other marque games to be held in Perth in the future. These will help satisfy the appetite of our rapidly growing fan base and also help to build the profile and popularity of the game in the West.
The WARL believe the future is exciting and look forward to working with the more definitive roadmap now in place.
http://wareds.createsend4.com/t/ViewEmail/y/AB94B2CE7FF599E7/30CF712F4A35EE871C65CA3F48968C2E
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[Bluebags1908]

Intersting snippet from Steve Macord in his column last week. Perth Red - have you heard any murmurings along these lines??

http://stevemascord.com/2012/10/29/bondi-beat-september-2012-2/

IN this column we have suggested before that teams frustrated with the wait to join the NRL should apply for a Super League franchise.
Well, during one of those late nights that grand final week demands of us – with Andrew Johns named as the eighth Immortal at the Men of League dinner which followed the grand final breakfast but came before the Carbine Club lunch, I was assured the idea had actually been discussed at a West Australian Rugby League board meeting.
More information as it comes to hand….

 

[Lockyer4President!]

LOL

Reminds me of the Orcas bid.

 

[Perth Red]

Rubbish! Not going to happen, totally impractical and the WARL know they are in the driving seat come 2014. I normally respect Steve's opinions but he is well wide of the mark on this one.

 

[Bluebags1908]

Rubbish! Not going to happen, totally impractical and the WARL know they are in the driving seat come 2014. I normally respect Steve's opinions but he is well wide of the mark on this one.

Your sentiments are the same as mine. Just thought I would post Mascord's comments here considering he put the idea out there and it was apparently discussed.

Aside from the logistical and cost issues, I can't see the UK Super League admitting a team which will no doubt only be a short-term proposition of 1 or 2 years at most competing in their competition. Admitting teams to a professional sports league are 50 to 100 year decisions made for the long term future of the competition.

 

[WayneBennett]

Mariners should apply!!!