NRL expansion news: Rabbitohs, Laurie Daley back Bears’ bid to return to NRL
The Bears’ bid to earn an NRL comeback is gaining widespread support, with Laurie Daley backing their plan to take more games to regional areas.
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The Bears’ bold push to readmission into the NRL has garnered some heavyweight support from their great rivals and fellow foundation club, South Sydney.
It comes more than 20 years after Norths’ unwavering support for Souths’ ultimately successful bid to return to top-flight football after the Rabbitohs’ dramatic demise in 1999.
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said his club would “welcome the opportunity to assist” the Bears’ momentum-gaining push to become the NRL’s 18th franchise.
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And Solly’s comments come as former NSW and Australia captain Laurie Daley threw his considerable support behind the Bears.
“This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our reinstatement to the NRL competition,” Solly said.
“Our members and fans have always admired and respected those Bears supporters who marched and contributed to the reinstatement of the Rabbitohs back in 2001.
“I’m sure they would welcome the opportunity to assist the Bears in their efforts to be reinstated to the competition, with one of the proudest and historic clubs in rugby league rejoining the elite competition.”
The Bears have an unorthodox yet unique submission which includes playing four to six games a season at North Sydney Oval before taking the remaining home matches to NSW regional centres.
“I’d love to see the Bears come back,” former Souths champion Craig Coleman said.
“They are a foundation club, started in 1908, and have great history. I hope their bid attracts a lot of support.
“We should be taking games out to the bush. I loved playing at North Sydney Oval but we can grow the game by taking matches to regional areas. We had a lot of bush fans who supported Souths when we were kicked out of the comp.”
With a consortium of private owners administering the club, the Bears would eradicate a geographic link, either North Sydney or Central Coast, and be known only as the Bears, while retaining the club’s 113-year history and traditional black and red colours.
The Bears would essentially become the NRL’s regional side.
“The Bears proposal is eye-catching and they have certainly garnered plenty of support over the past 24 hours,” Daley said.
“The idea of taking multiple games each year to regional areas — and a few at North Sydney Oval — would be wonderful for the game. Being a country boy, I am more than happy to support that concept.
“I know the Bears are being backed by some astute business people and have no doubt the NRL will sit up and take notice. A lot of people who support rugby league would love to see the Bears back. It would be a great story.
“There’s obviously a long way to go before we know who will be the 18th franchise – and when it will happen - but I know the Bears have a wonderful history, strong juniors and they would essentially become the NRL’s ‘bush club’.”
Bears chairman Daniel Dickson said: “There is still a lot of support for the Bears out there.”
A Daily Telegraph online poll saw around 80 per cent of 2000 respondents agreed the Bears should be returned to the NRL.
The Bears would plan to take home games to Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour along with Perth, Darwin and Adelaide.
Long-time Dubbo-based Bears fan Emma Ramsay — and son Carter — are desperately hoping their club can soon be included in the NRL.
“It would be amazing to have the Bears back,” Emma said.
Wagga Kangaroos president Peter Hurst said it would be massive for his area.
“We would welcome them with open arms. It would be fantastic, a great coup for Wagga. Anytime there is an opportunity for the NRL to come out to the regions, we’d take that every day of the week,” he said
“I think if they came here there would be a lot of support for the Bears. Regionally, it would be massive and would help with retention, recruitment and participation for kids.
“The more that kids here that can see these (NRL) players at their home ground … it would be huge. Rugby league would be the winner, massively.
“I know a lot of regions have competing sports but AFL is pretty strong down here. Rugby league used to be dominant here. It’s probably 50-50 at the moment but this would probably help tip the scales massively.
“I know there is a deal here with (the local council) and the Raiders but I’m sure it is something they could work through and see the benefits.”
Revolutionary proposal to bring back the Bears
The Bears have formally started their bid to become the NRL’s 18th franchise with a revolutionary proposal to play the majority of their home games in regional cities and interstate.
It would mean the Big Black Bears are back on the road again.
“We want to take rugby league to the people — this is about doing rugby league differently. This hasn’t been done before,” Bears chairman Daniel Dickson said. “I think this would be the best rugby league story in 20 years. We’re ready.”
The club’s unorthodox submission would include:
* Playing four to six games a season at North Sydney Oval before taking the remaining home matches on the road to regional centres, including Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Central Coast, along with major cities Perth, Adelaide and Darwin;
* Removing a geographic link of North Sydney or Central Coast, with the club to be known only as the Bears;
* Having a consortium of private owners run the club;
* Retaining its 113-year history and traditional black and red colours;
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— North Sydney Bears (@NthSydneyBears) October 27, 2021
In line with significant announcements in tonight’s media regarding the Club’s roadmap to readmission in the NRL, we are excited to unveil the first step on this journey – ð—¼ð˜‚ð—¿ ð—»ð—²ð˜„ ð—–ð—¹ð˜‚ð—¯ ð—¹ð—¼ð—´ð—¼.#BEARS2022#NRLpic.twitter.com/TsRjbf1L84
* Building a Centre of Excellence in the North Sydney LGA with the club having already submitted an application for State Government assistance;
* An upgrade of North Sydney Oval, which already has the backing of North Sydney Council.
* Offering two to four scholarships a year to country rugby league prospects.
With the Dolphins having secured rugby league’s 17th franchise, the race has kickstarted to become the 18th team.
To establish a line to the top, and reveal his club’s plans, Dickson met ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo about four months ago.
“The Bears have always been the team of the people so we should take it to the people,” Dickson said.
“So when we say taking it to the people, we’re suggesting just calling us the Bears and playing four to six matches at North Sydney Oval and then taking it to regions such as – but not confined to – Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour and Central Coast.
“We would be open to a game in Perth, Adelaide or Darwin. We would connect with those communities and allow them some ownership and be part of the following of the Bears.
“People are moving to regional areas now because of Covid and the demographics of those rural areas – and Sydney — are changing rapidly and we want them to have a team to follow rather than one they satellite-follow. We want them to feel part of the NRL.
“We are also mindful that some clubs have relationships with certain regions. I don’t believe the NRL will sit on 17 teams forever. I know putting another team in Sydney would put pressure on the current clubs so that has been part of our thought process.
“Many people say the Bears are their second favourite side. We are Queensland’s second favourite side. There are still people engaged with the Bears even though we have been in tier-two for 22 years.
“You talk about history, heritage and heart, I don’t think you will come across a national brand like the Bears that has anything deeper than that. Having a national brand so rich in history, it’s an easy win. Our merchandise this year was up 400 per cent on 2019.”
Dickson said an AC Nielsen study completed in 2019 stated Norths had 220,000 supporters. A 1908 foundation club, Norths survived in the top flight until the end of 1999 when the club merged with rivals Manly, which failed dismally.
“The biggest thing for us is we are the lowest risk to the NRL for a readmission,” Dickson said. “Teams such as Perth or New Zealand, they’ve got to start from scratch. I say that we should start with these 220,000 avid rugby league Bears fans.
“Even our tier-two following, in round one this year against the Jets, we had a 350-metre line outside Bear Park. This isn’t about agitating. This is about working with the game.”
Dickson was also quick to indicate Norths had the financial clout to be granted readmission through private ownership. Norths Leagues Club would also be heavy financial supporters as would multiple corporations.
“The thing I want to tell you is, we would be a commercially viable team,” he said.
“While we would engage in regional and rural heartland, we know that has to be underpinned by a strong commercial viability. We wouldn’t be putting ourselves forward if we were going to be a burden on rugby league and we will prove that to the NRL.
“We have the support, finance and structure. We are suggesting a more diverse ownership structure, not just one upfront person with a deep wallet. It would be a consortium.
“We are putting in a submission for a State Government grant for a Centre of Excellence in North Sydney. It hasn’t been approved but is a process that is under way. Norths Leagues wouldn’t be owners but long-term partners.”
Asked about the standard of North Sydney Oval, Dickson said: “The council is excited and pumped. They recently did a heritage upgrade to the ground and there are other commercial works involved like new bucket seats, corporate areas. They are all on the list.”
Norths will field a full complement of women’s sides next season with Dickson saying: “All we are missing is an NRL side.”
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