North Sydney Bears identify three non-negotiables before club can be revived in NRL

North Sydney Bears chair Daniel Dickson has declared they’re financially ready and historically primed for an NRL return – but the club’s foreshadowed comeback has three non-negotiables.

After an excruciating 23-year absence from top-flight rugby league, the buoyant Bears have declared they’re financially ready and historically primed for an NRL return – but the club’s foreshadowed comeback has three non-negotiables.

The Bears’ plans for NRL reinstatement heightened after ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealed his plans for a famous NRL revival as part of the game’s looming expansion plans.

Bears chair Daniel Dickson claimed his club had the finances, tradition, history, brand, foundation and pathways for a smooth and triumphant re-entry into the NRL.

Dickson said his club would be prepared to explore being part of an NRL relocation to Perth, the Pacific or New Zealand but wanted to point out his incontestable stipulations.

“I think it is fantastic that the NRL has brought this to the attention of the rugby league community. I know there are many loyal and fanatical Bears fans that will be happy with this,” Dickson said.

“We have been respectful. We haven’t said we’re ‘the one’. We have just said ‘when they’re ready, we’re here’.

Bears chair Daniel Dickson and board member Billy Moore in Perth discussing the club’s chances of becoming the NRL’s 18th franchise. Source: Supplied

“The non-negotiables for us that have never changed are the colours, logo and the Bears’ red and black concept has to be there because that’s what our history and heritage is.

“We also might get two to four games (a year) at North Sydney Oval. We won’t be based there all the time but we need a connection there because that’s where the people came from and that’s where our junior league still is.

“Apart from that, we are good to go. As far as the geographical location where we are based, that’s totally up for grabs. We know it won’t be a North Sydney-centric team – we know that and support that.”

While V’landys told this masthead that PNG was favourite for entry into the NRL, he also spoke glowingly about the Bears, declaring: “Everywhere I go, that is always the question … when are you bringing back the Bears? I didn’t realise they had so many old fans.

“As I said, it’s the most commonly asked question. They’ve got to be in the equation. They can’t be stand-alone in Sydney because there’s too many already. However, they can certainly be part of a new team, whether it be in Perth, the Pacific, wherever. They’re so passionate and you want that.”

Dickson said his club was keen and in prime position to return to a premiership they competed in for 93 years.

And Dickson also believes any new side into the NRL would need at least two years to build a competitive first-up team.

“One thing we learnt from the Dolphins is that a two-year lead-in is necessary to be competitive and everyone wants the new teams to be competitive. We are definitely ready as long as, ideally, we have that two-year run-in,” he said.

“Our position hasn’t changed. We have never said we would be in one location. We have taken the North Sydney out of the North Sydney Bears and we’re ready to position ourselves where the game needs us to be.

The Bears say North Sydney Oval must host two to four games as part of a potential expansion merger. Picture: Virginia Young

“To be honest, we have been focusing on what we need and the location where the NRL says.

“I’m not dancing around this but Pacific and Perth are on the table, as is a second New Zealand team, which has been spoken about by the NRL. We’d consider any of those locations, all of which have challenges and strengths.

“Potentially, PNG is a stand-alone and we’re not part of that consideration but the other areas that have been spoken about, are all be part of the 19th and 20th options.

“We have been working overtime to ensure we are the best partners but it’s lovely to see that the NRL has brought this to the public.”

Former Test captain Laurie Daley told The Big Sports Breakfast: “I’d love to see the Bears back in some shape or form. They have a strong brand and emblem. It would be a romantic story, a feel-good story.”

The Bears have secured key backers and can present a robust financial plan.

And given they are an existing club, the Bears – Sydney’s feeder club for Melbourne Storm - have the administration structure already in place.

“We have various people who are (financial) contributors and have been for a long time and I do know when the Bears are spoken about in the media, others will come knocking. We are definitely ready to move forward financially,” he said.

“Most importantly, we are focusing on our corporate backing and funding, along with our pathways, grassroots, rugby league development, history and heritage.

“To me, those are the herbs and spices that will make a successful franchise. That’s what helped the Dolphins and I don’t think the NRL could bring in one or three teams that are brand new.

“We did a study a few years ago that showed we have 220,000 avid Bears fans. To us, the recipe for the NRL and specifically Peter V’landys is tribalism and followers to the game.

“We have more than 55,000 active people right now on our social media platforms and I know there are a hell of a lot of Bears fans domestically and internationally that would jump on the bandwagon.

“For the growth and expansion of the game, the consistency of a brand that was a foundation club in 1908, there was so much disappointment when they went out of the game, for whatever reason, but the fans have never left us.

“They didn’t follow another NRL team. They are very loyal to the Bears and I just think it’s a great platform to bring all those people back to the top grade.”

Originally published as North Sydney Bears identify three non-negotiables before club can be revived in NRL