As much as I can,
the last thing we need is some firm corporate committment or a big money backer. It isn't essential but would give the NRL more confidence in our financial sustainability. It is what the bid team is going to be really working hard on and we have some good business people with strong contacts in WA business world on the bid team so fingers crossed they can get someone over the line.
Everything else the NRL is very happy with and apparently the TV values are significantly improved with having a WA team which is what is giving us the favourites tag at this point in time.
We could do with a good membership push but it isn't essential as the NRL recognise we have a strong starting supporter base of around 15k with some hardcore fans who will have a supporters club set up well before the team kick offs.
They are very pleased with our jnr development and can see that having an NRL team will be a massive boost for the game over here at all levels, especially with a new dynamic WARL heavily involved in the Reds, leading to development of WA bred players in the not too distant future for the club.
Stadium redevelopment is on schedule with work due to start mid to late this year and be completed early 2013.
Presuming expansion does go ahead then we are in a very good position to get a team and make it a success, adding significantly to the ARLC/NRL on a number of levels.
There was other very interesting stuff that I am afraid I can't divulge but none of it negative.
