As talks heat up regarding the NRL’s plans for an 18th team, the Bears remain front and centre in discussions among key stakeholders. Media speculation has gone wild again this week on the back of two things, firstly Prime Minister Albanese’s plan of large scale backing of a PNG NRL team as a political alignment to help counter China’s flexing muscles in the local region and secondly, the release of the Bears plans to bolster league in the Pacific, including PNG initially. Based on previous advice and direction from the NRL, the club has been working on a proposal that brings together the strength, talent and passion of the Pacific nations with the heritage, governance, pathways and iconic branding of the Bears.

Since February, we have been working with the CT Group on strengthening our bid documentation and securing financial investment. The CT Group were behind the successful admission of the Dolphins in the NRL and the Macarthur Bulls in the A-League. The club maintains its position of flexibility in regard to location and representation, however, holds foremost our non-negotiables of the club’s logo, colours, heritage and nominal games at North Sydney Oval. Although much speculation has circulated regarding the name of the possible new team, and even AI generated logos have emerged, our plan is simply to remain the Bears – an enduring symbol of strength.

Peter V’Landy, Australian Rugby League Commision Chairman, has stated that the focus is not necessarily on just an 18th team but on the wider concept of an 18th, 19th and 20th team. Therefore, the Bears bid does not limit its constraints just to the 18th team but is a staged approach that de-risks the venture for the NRL and allows for growth in the greater Pacific region. The Bears Chairman, Daniel Dickson, and CEO Gareth Holmes have requested a meeting with Mr V’Landy this month in order to present our revised NRL proposal.