The future of the Perth Bears is already taking shape, with two promising young talents, Asher Chapman and Jasais Ah Kee, signing for 2027 and set to join the North Sydney Bears junior representative program.
Both players will line up in the North Sydney Bears’ SG Ball Cup squad, commencing training in early November ahead of the 2027 season, marking an exciting next step in their development and an important milestone in the growing relationship between the Perth Bears and North Sydney Bears.
The signings are another example of the unique pathway being created between the two clubs – one that will allow emerging Western Australian talent to develop within a proven NSW rugby league system before progressing towards the Perth Bears’ NRL squad.
For Perth Bears General Manager of Football, Gareth Holmes, the pathway is about much more than the connection between two historic clubs.
“Signing talents like Asher Chapman and Jasais Ah Kee to play SG Ball with the North Sydney Bears in 2027 is exactly what our pathway structure is built for.
“I know firsthand the calibre of development that club provides — the coaching, the culture, and the standards that turn promising juniors into first-grade footballers.
“The link between Perth and North Sydney isn’t just sentimental, it’s structural. It means our best young talent gets to cut their teeth in a proven, competitive NSW system before progressing on an elite pathway, eventually to our Top 30 in Perth.
“Asher and Jasais are both outstanding examples of the calibre of player we are targeting — dual-threat, highly skilful footballers with an exciting future. This is how we build a sustainable club for the long term.”
For North Sydney Bears NSW Cup Head Coach Leon Latulipe, bringing talented young players into the representative system is equally important for creating an environment where players can push each other and grow together.
“Strengthening our club with talented young players is a really positive step for the future of our pathway.
“Bringing in players of this calibre not only strengthens the team, but creates a strong environment where our young players can develop, challenge each other and learn from one another.
“We’re really excited about the talent coming through and the quality of the group we’re building for 2027. It reinforces the link between North Sydney Bears and the Perth Bears and gives our aspiring young players a clear pathway to continue developing their football.”
North Sydney Bears Football Operations Manager Daniel Hutton said the arrival of Chapman and Ah Kee was another positive step as the club enters an exciting new era.
“As our club embarks on an exciting new era with the introduction of the Perth Bears, we are equally excited to welcome players of Jasais and Asher’s quality into our junior representative program.
“Their addition strengthens our development pathway and further demonstrates opportunities for young players to progress through the ranks to NSW Cup level and the NRL.”
The opportunity for players such as Asher and Jasais represents one of the most exciting elements of the emerging Perth–North Sydney relationship.
While the Bears’ return to the NRL in Perth will be the headline of a new era, the foundations of a successful club are being built well beyond the first-grade team. Developing local talent, creating genuine pathways and giving young players the opportunity to test themselves in a highly competitive environment will be critical to the long-term success of the Perth Bears.
For North Sydney, it also represents an opportunity to play an important role in developing the next generation of Bears.
With the junior representative squads set to commence training in early November, the countdown to 2027 is already underway.
And with young talents like Asher Chapman and Jasais Ah Kee leading the way, the future of the Bears pathway is looking very exciting indeed.
