NRL expansion race: North Sydney Bears reveal powerful weapon in bid to win game’s 18th licence

Tonga, Samoa, Cooks Islands, Fiji and parts of New Zealand. The Bears have made a huge bid that will incorporate the entire Pacific region in order to become the 18th NRL team.

It’s time – the Bears are officially ready to step forward.

The foundation Bears are poised to lodge a formal proposal with the NRL after two years of ground work and analysis to reveal how and why the club should be considered for NRL expansion.

And this masthead can reveal the club’s submission will involve a new club that incorporates the entire Pacific region, including New Zealand - not just Papua New Guinea.

Bears directors are reviewing the plan which will be sent to the NRL within the next fortnight.

While the PNG push has gathered momentum in recent weeks, Bears officials are ready to take a giant stride forward toward NRL inclusion by outlining their proposal, which will incorporate games being played in Australia and around Pacific nations.

The Bears want to secure the Tonga, Samoa, Cooks Islands, Fiji and parts of New Zealand in their bid. Bears chairman Daniel Dickson said the game must consider the Pacific region when viewing expansion given the quality of matches in the current Pacific Championships.

Could North Sydney become the Pacific Bears?

An official name has not been ratified but the Pacific Bears is a possibility. The club would be based in Sydney and possibly play two to three matches a year at North Sydney Oval, the club’ spiritual home ground.

“We would love to incorporate the Pacific and we are absolutely passionate about embracing some of those territories that would do very well with what the Bears have to offer,” Dickson said.

“We will put forward our proposal in the coming weeks. The Bears would very much embrace those rugby league heartlands and hope we could be part of the NRL’s expansion plans.

Bears chairman Daniel Dickson. Supplied

“There is so much work to be done in those places and the expanding franchise has to be willing to think that this isn’t just an 18th team, this is all about developing – the talent is there but the pathways aren’t.

“The current Pacific Championships proves the game needs to consider expansion into multiple territories, not potentially just one. Forty to 50 per cent of NRL players have Pacific heritage.

“Not only do people want to see the Bears return to top flight rugby league, we also have a strong desire to be a successful partner in developing the Pacific nations, who would require the skill and expertise of a club with the heritage we have.”

The Bears claim to offer established pathways for the Pacific region combined with the club’s rich 115-year history. There is little doubt the Bears are sentimental favourites for inclusion.

“The Bears have a strong desire for pathways and development – we always have,” Dickson said.

“We really want to be part of that grassroots rugby league.”

The Bears’ priority is the Pacific but the club will not rule out Perth, a fallback option.

Originally published as NRL expansion race: North Sydney Bears reveal powerful weapon in bid to win game’s 18th licence