NRL expansion: North Sydney Bears to use Macathur FC, Dolphins strategy in push to be 18th club

North Sydney Bears have joined forces with one of the architects of two successful expansion bids as they ramp up their push to be the NRL’s 18th team.

The Bears have taken a colossal step to becoming the NRL’s 18th franchise by recruiting the same global strategy agency which helped the Dolphins win an NRL license and Macarthur FC enter football’s A-League.

Bears investors have agreed to engage CT Group as bid and document partner to help drive the foundation club’s submission for a famous return to top-flight rugby league.

CT Group – which has offices in Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East – compiled a comprehensive 336-page bid submission which convinced ARL Commissioners to approve the Dolphins entry into the NRL.

The agency also pushed Macarthur FC into the A-League, the club’s first season being 2020-21.

North Sydney Bears fans cheer on their team during a match last year.

“CT Group will pull the entire business case together,” said Bears chairman, Daniel Dickson.

“With the activity around the potential 18th franchise, this shows how serious we are about it. We are getting all our ducks lined up.

“The CT Group knows the lie of the land and what involvement is needed from Government from an approval process as well as support from local and State Government.

“They also complete all the leg work on market research while working with other groups to engage the numbers to ensure we are positioning the Bears to be the successful 18th franchise.

“From an investment point of view, this gives our investors comfort knowing we are covering all bases – the demographics, what the business looks like in terms of home games and where we play.

“CT is very well-versed. They have offices worldwide, they’re a massive group.”

The Bears remain favourites to clinch the 18th franchise although the club’s location remains undecided.

Playing as the Pacific Bears is becoming a genuine reality with games to be played in Sydney – two to three at traditional North Sydney Oval – and around Pacific nations.

The Bears are using the same firm the Dolphins used to help with their expansion bid.

The club’s bigger matches, including arch rivals Manly, could be played at Allianz Stadium.

Western Australia also continues to push for an NRL licence and partnership with the Bears.

ARL Commissioners are attracted by the Bears brand, support and history.

With Magic Round in Brisbane this weekend, North Sydney Oval will host a NSWRL Cup triple header this Saturday.

In driving the Dolphins bid, CT’s website discusses the “instrumental role CT Group played in securing a coveted new club license in Australia’s National Rugby League Rugby League.

“For the club, failure was not an option as it would mean the Dolphins might not get another chance to enter the national competition for another decade or more.

“Importantly, CT Group had recently completed a similar project leading the Bid Team that was successful in securing a soccer club license for the Macarthur Bulls in the high-profile A-League.

“CT Group was instrumental in reimagining the Dolphins brand, through capturing the very best of the club’s illustrious history.”

The NRL is yet to announce formal plans for further expansion but an 18th franchise could gain entry by 2027.

Originally published as NRL expansion: North Sydney Bears to use Macathur FC, Dolphins strategy in push to be 18th club