23 August 2024

By Hannah Wilcox

The North Sydney Bears have announced the details of its Perth partnership to apply for admission as an NRL club. 

A formal bid document has been submitted for the Western Bears to be considered as the 18th club by the NRL and will see the iconic Bears logo adapted to suit competition requirements with a full integration of the red and black colours.

If successful, a regular-season home game will be played in Sydney – including a heritage round with a potential fixture against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles – whilst Perth-based home games will be at HBF Park.

Western Bears have promised to consult with fans, members, club legends, and the North Sydney Board over the coming months to ‘understand what is important to them and seek to integrate their wishes into the club’s identity’.

“Many thanks to the Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook for his magnificent support and to Daniel Dickson Chairman of the North Sydney Bears for his significant contribution to bring this fantastic alliance to fruition,” Western Bears Chairman Peter Cumins said. 

“Should our bid be successful, we intend to make the Western Bears a club that Western Australians can proudly embrace and to bring together Bears fans from the East Coast to the West Coast.”

A pre-season game has been proposed on the East Coast with allocations for Bears fans at away games in the works.

Foundation member packages will be available and proposed Bears packages will allow fans to attend Sydney-based regular season, trial season home games and multiple away games.

The historic club will be the feeder club to the NSW Cup for the NRL side. 

Chairman of North Sydney Bears Daniel Dickson said: “After 25 years in hibernation it will be great to see the Bears back where they belong in the NRL.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the WA Government and WA consortium group to bring the dream to reality and the hard work of all parties involved.”

“The Western Bears will re-energise our passionate fan base and introduce a new market to our proud history and heritage. One club with a national footprint is great for the game.”