Another great article, come on NRL let us in! If you haven't visited our supporters club website yet it has just been updated. We have over 300 members of the WA Red Army now and look forward to many more joing up at our stand at the South Sydney game. www.warzone.net.au Quote Reds-letter day looms for WA NRL bid Chris Robinson From: The Sunday Times April 23, 2011 WA Rugby League chairman David Hobbs is urging all West Australians to get behind the bid for a WA NRL side. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow DAVID Hobbs has a message for the NRL hierarchy: the sleeping giant is stirring. The giant he is referring to is WA's passionate and substantial rugby league supporter base, which is preparing to wake from 15 years of hibernation to once again have a club to call its own on the national stage. With the NRL expected to announce in the coming months plans of a two-team expansion to the current 16-side competition, Hobbs is at the forefront of the WA Reds' bid to convince the league to venture west. As chairman of the WA Rugby League and an avid supporter of the game at grassroots level, Hobbs, pictured left, says there is a strong local backing for a successful franchise to grow out of Perth from 2013. "It's very much a sleeping giant," he said. "We believe there are so many people out there who are just wanting rugby league in this state, (and) these people are being starved of a product, which is crazy. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related CoverageNewman denies divisions in the party Courier Mail, 8 days ago LNP united says new leader Courier Mail, 8 days ago Newman denies LNP disunity after slur The Australian, 8 days ago No love lost for Seeney in the bush Courier Mail, 9 days ago Illustrator's brush with fame Herald Sun, 4 Apr 2011 .End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "They're definitely out there it's a matter of us giving them a reason and giving them an opportunity to get involved." Hobbs is quick to point out a lack of local interest was never the reason the Reds folded after a brief stint in the national competition between 1995 and 1997. Back then, he points out, the club attracted crowds of more than 17,000 people at the WACA a venue hardly ideal for spectators to watch rugby league. Instead, it was the fallout from the Super League war and the doomed agreement that the WA side would pay for the flights and accommodation of visiting teams that led to the Reds' downfall. "We had some real momentum back then, and what the people of WA have got to remember is that the Western Reds never failed they were a victim of political warfare," Hobbs said. "Since then, we've had nearly 350,000 Queenslanders and New South Welshmen and people from Canberra relocate to WA. We've also had a massive influx of people from the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand. "We're the resource capital of Australia and these people are coming to the state, they want rugby league, and our state is growing. It's a perfect demographic to have a new team to launch." The anticipated strong local support was one of the key points raised by Hobbs and fellow WARL executives John Sackson and Bruce Havilah in a 90-minute meeting with NRL boss David Gallop earlier this month. The WARL contingent boasted the Reds had secured a near $2million deal with a major sponsor, had received State Government backing, would not dilute support or sponsorship dollars from existing clubs, and would provide an opportunity for the league to tackle its rival code, AFL. "It's not a truly national competition until WA is part of it," Hobbs said. "The AFL has been very aggressive in expansion. If the NRL is going to be serious about running up against the AFL, it needs to expand the code." As the WA chief executive of The Professionals real estate group, and having served seven years as the Fremantle Dockers' inaugural marketing manager, Hobbs is no stranger to business success. If the Reds are given the go-ahead for an NRL licence, one of the first things Hobbs will do is examine the set-up of a number of recently created WA sporting clubs. "I think (having experience with the Dockers) is very important, because after all, sport is business," he said. "One of the main things is if you don't have a good culture, you don't have a business or you don't have a sporting body. "With Freo, though we never won many games in our first seven years, the fact is that members were loyal and they knew down the track that their loyalty would be rewarded, and we're seeing that now." But for all his business expertise, Hobbs cannot hide his childlike enthusiasm. "The board members and I we're like kids in a lolly shop. As soon as we came out of that meeting with David Gallop, we're on the phone like excited kids talking to the rest of the board members," he said. Hobbs described the meeting as "extremely positive". "If it was a business decision, I'm more than confident that WA would be the first cab off the rank," he said. Praising the 15,000-plus crowds that have attended Nib Stadium to watch each of the Perth-staged NRL matches over the past few seasons, Hobbs said he expected an even bigger turnout for this year’s game. The June 24 clash sees the Russell Crowe-owned South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Brisbane Broncos in what will be one of the last ever games for retiring NRL legend Darren Lockyer. And while the match will signal the Perth farewell of one of the game’s giants, Hobbs is hoping it will also confirm the awakening of another – the state’s yearning rugby league community. “We want everyone who’s passionate about rugby league in this state to get along and show just how much support we have,” he said. “We’re urging the public to get involved, jump on this very exciting journey together, and help create a team for Western Australia.” *Tickets for the Rabbitohs / Broncos clash go on sale May 10 through Ticketmaster.'" www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/re ... 6043877504

Another great article, come on NRL let us in! If you haven't visited our supporters club website yet it has just been updated. We have over 300 members of the WA Red Army now and look forward to many more joing up at our stand at the South Sydney game. www.warzone.net.au Quote Reds-letter day looms for WA NRL bid Chris Robinson From: The Sunday Times April 23, 2011 WA Rugby League chairman David Hobbs is urging all West Australians to get behind the bid for a WA NRL side. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow DAVID Hobbs has a message for the NRL hierarchy: the sleeping giant is stirring. The giant he is referring to is WA's passionate and substantial rugby league supporter base, which is preparing to wake from 15 years of hibernation to once again have a club to call its own on the national stage. With the NRL expected to announce in the coming months plans of a two-team expansion to the current 16-side competition, Hobbs is at the forefront of the WA Reds' bid to convince the league to venture west. As chairman of the WA Rugby League and an avid supporter of the game at grassroots level, Hobbs, pictured left, says there is a strong local backing for a successful franchise to grow out of Perth from 2013. "It's very much a sleeping giant," he said. "We believe there are so many people out there who are just wanting rugby league in this state, (and) these people are being starved of a product, which is crazy. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. Related CoverageNewman denies divisions in the party Courier Mail, 8 days ago LNP united says new leader Courier Mail, 8 days ago Newman denies LNP disunity after slur The Australian, 8 days ago No love lost for Seeney in the bush Courier Mail, 9 days ago Illustrator's brush with fame Herald Sun, 4 Apr 2011 .End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "They're definitely out there it's a matter of us giving them a reason and giving them an opportunity to get involved." Hobbs is quick to point out a lack of local interest was never the reason the Reds folded after a brief stint in the national competition between 1995 and 1997. Back then, he points out, the club attracted crowds of more than 17,000 people at the WACA a venue hardly ideal for spectators to watch rugby league. Instead, it was the fallout from the Super League war and the doomed agreement that the WA side would pay for the flights and accommodation of visiting teams that led to the Reds' downfall. "We had some real momentum back then, and what the people of WA have got to remember is that the Western Reds never failed they were a victim of political warfare," Hobbs said. "Since then, we've had nearly 350,000 Queenslanders and New South Welshmen and people from Canberra relocate to WA. We've also had a massive influx of people from the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand. "We're the resource capital of Australia and these people are coming to the state, they want rugby league, and our state is growing. It's a perfect demographic to have a new team to launch." The anticipated strong local support was one of the key points raised by Hobbs and fellow WARL executives John Sackson and Bruce Havilah in a 90-minute meeting with NRL boss David Gallop earlier this month. The WARL contingent boasted the Reds had secured a near $2million deal with a major sponsor, had received State Government backing, would not dilute support or sponsorship dollars from existing clubs, and would provide an opportunity for the league to tackle its rival code, AFL. "It's not a truly national competition until WA is part of it," Hobbs said. "The AFL has been very aggressive in expansion. If the NRL is going to be serious about running up against the AFL, it needs to expand the code." As the WA chief executive of The Professionals real estate group, and having served seven years as the Fremantle Dockers' inaugural marketing manager, Hobbs is no stranger to business success. If the Reds are given the go-ahead for an NRL licence, one of the first things Hobbs will do is examine the set-up of a number of recently created WA sporting clubs. "I think (having experience with the Dockers) is very important, because after all, sport is business," he said. "One of the main things is if you don't have a good culture, you don't have a business or you don't have a sporting body. "With Freo, though we never won many games in our first seven years, the fact is that members were loyal and they knew down the track that their loyalty would be rewarded, and we're seeing that now." But for all his business expertise, Hobbs cannot hide his childlike enthusiasm. "The board members and I we're like kids in a lolly shop. As soon as we came out of that meeting with David Gallop, we're on the phone like excited kids talking to the rest of the board members," he said. Hobbs described the meeting as "extremely positive". "If it was a business decision, I'm more than confident that WA would be the first cab off the rank," he said. Praising the 15,000-plus crowds that have attended Nib Stadium to watch each of the Perth-staged NRL matches over the past few seasons, Hobbs said he expected an even bigger turnout for this year’s game. The June 24 clash sees the Russell Crowe-owned South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the Brisbane Broncos in what will be one of the last ever games for retiring NRL legend Darren Lockyer. And while the match will signal the Perth farewell of one of the game’s giants, Hobbs is hoping it will also confirm the awakening of another – the state’s yearning rugby league community. “We want everyone who’s passionate about rugby league in this state to get along and show just how much support we have,” he said. “We’re urging the public to get involved, jump on this very exciting journey together, and help create a team for Western Australia.” *Tickets for the Rabbitohs / Broncos clash go on sale May 10 through Ticketmaster.'" www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/re ... 6043877504

yeah its time

[i"Back then, he points out, the club attracted crowds of more than 17,000 people at the WACA a venue hardly ideal
for spectators to watch rugby league."[/i
OK...I am all for expansion and getting the game into new areas, but the above extract is a bIt odd.

31 games over 3 seasons....2 attendances over 17k (I have to say, a very odd number to pluck out of the air) with only a further 2 gates over 15k and over 50% of their games UNDER 10K.

Full list of attendances with all but 1 played at the WACA......

24932
20985
15909
15151
12760
12307
12201
11255
11109
10750
10735
10442
10226
10203
9701
9345
9200
9108
9103
8462
8102
7564
7204
7135 PERTH
7042
6584
6535
6403
5889
5728
5083

It's all well and good blaming the SL war for the demise of WA RL, but bitching about it 14 years later isn't very business minded as the article says later
[iBut for all his business expertise, Hobbs cannot hide his childlike enthusiasm.[/i

Reality is there are a number of ignorant people (mainly on the East coast) who keep trotting out the old "they failed before so lets not go back there" reason for not expanding the game. He is mainly counterarguing the point and pointing out that a number of unique circumstances caused the last attempts failure and to judge the current bid and potential for RL in WA by something that happened back then is ridiculous.

Ok it is now clear Jet Black is our old banned friend back in another guise so no more feeding the troll.

please don't include me in that list.

Really? As I said, I am all for expansion and WA is the obvious choice, but all I did was point out the oddity in the article...17k? How is that trolling? What it is doing is pointing out a potential fault..........that isn't trolling.
...and no matter how many times you, M4E and the dally lama keep on saying I am either gutterfax, bazza, phipps or Katie, it doesn't make it so.

exactly

ive been following RL in australia for 30 years and i know its time

i guess the idea of rl being more than just a game in nsw and qld scares union trolls a lot more than i thought

how hard is it to have a conversation about the nrl in here now

Not that hard. See, JB posts a story about WA and expansion.....you pipe up with a one liner, I point out that historically crowds were an issue and that the figure of 17 was an odd one, JB says a lot of people from Eastern Australia say the same and they are wrong as well as trying to defend the obvious error from the Bid spokesperson when he shouldn't have mentioned crowds at all and then accuses me of being someone he knows.
So, up to now, this has been totally about League with a harmless and incorrect insult directed at me by JB.... until......


..........and there we have it. Another thread derailed with a sly comment about union when nobody else had mentioned any other code........



...if gutterfax was here he'd have pointed out the glaring mistake in dally messengers post........RL is already a 3 state sport...or does Victoria not count

I wasn't commenting on the crowds, I was talking about our need to counter act some of the ignorant statements being made about the Reds failure in 1995-97 and how that should be considered in our bid today. He is not wrong that we did attract crowds of over 17k but it is embelleshing abit as, as you have pointed out, our avg was far lower. What I will say about our crowds is;
A) Even in 95-97 They were still mid table for crowd avg against the other clubs
B) There is 600k more people living in WA now than back in 1995
C) approx 300k of them are from RL loving places
D) we have been getting 12k to friendlies and 15k+ to real games featuring out of town teams

Add this to the fact we are worth a great deal to TV in terms of a new live time slot and capital city ratings, we have a $1,5mill+ main sponsor lined up and over $4mill in additonal corporate support already, we have ajnr set up that is producing NRL players already and this year our SG Ball team finished above a number of established NSW clubs and you can;t have a NATIONAL RL without a Perth side and all signs would suggest we are a good bet for an expansion spot.

Now thanks for your contribution Jet Gutter, come back again when you have something interesting to add.

See ....... Debate and discussion about rugby league with no mention of union or trolls.

I have always said WA was a great place to expand to....and I have no doubt that you will get 15k averages and be a success....but all I did was question the 17k figure.....

fair enough but of all the positives in the article you chose to focus on this very small aspect of it and question it, why? As I said he isn't wrong in what he said, but it isn't a true reflection of our support base back then, not that it has anything to do with how succesful a Reds team will be in 2013. I suspect he said it as he is probably as sick as me of hearing ignorant people suggesting the Reds financially folded because of no support for RL in WA.

I business people often get sick of being "bagged" by others.....WARL is no different. They just need to keep their heads down, they should be bolted on.
Another part of the article that was "worrying" is this:
[i"Since then, we've had nearly 350,000 Queenslanders and New South Welshmen and people from Canberra relocate to WA. We've also had a massive influx of people from the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand".[/i
......relocating RL fans is the No1 problem faced by London RL. TV figures show that 50% of the TV audience for SL is in the South East........yet finding and mobilising them has proved impossible for both the NRL, London RL and even SKY TV themselves......I have no doubt that WA will throw a lot of cash at finding them though....a lot. Might even be an idea to set up an ex-pat fans club..where loyalty is to WA until the fans "home team" come calling?
Still, as I have always said, WA will be in the NRL next.......and that means a minimum of 15 years to sink or swim.
Good Luck.

clear agenda to wind you up JB

given i know just a little more aboyt the nrl than our union friends here, the fact im saying they ar ready shows their qualities

this is an nrl forum ....some people should really get a life instead of posting under multiple accounts

Nope. But because I don't agree with you, you will attempt to get the 'adults' involved again rather than try to debate the facts as they are. Grass me up all you like...it's the only way you'll ever win a NRL based sports debate




What you know or don't know is not the question...it is your biggoted attitude to anyone who disagrees with you that is the issue. I have said WA should be in next time.....but as a fan of an existing expansion club, I have seen the mistakes made.....the empty stadiums etc....I would say that when it comes to expansion and the pitfalls faced by "new" franchises, I am far more clued up than you.


Your arrogance has just reached a new level

Seriously....because you're saying it






Correct. And as your mate the moderator has said:




You should stop assuming stuff out loud. I'd also stop recommending new postimg guidelines to the mods if I were you......they generally don't take kindly to being told what to do....apparently

Searle's comments must be disapointing JB.

not really, he is saying what he believes os best for HIS club. Fortunately the people making the decisions will make them based on what is best for the game. Also he is coming for a point of ignorance as he has no idea what two new teams will be worth in teh next Tv contract. If they are worth more than the NRL granmts they will recieve then his club will be better off. Funny, you'd think being the recipient of expansion he would be a bit more pro (unless he is fearful of a Brisbane2 side of course!)

lol at comparing RL in WA to RL in London!

and as the last nrl expansion team he should know better

2 new teams will add a lot to tv rights ...way more than they cost

searle is a great CEO but on expansion he should zip it ASAP

we will be expanding despite what searle wants

Too true.....I mean London RL has been knocking about for 30+ years and 15 in the top flight.....WA has a rich 3 year history to fall back on

Ah ignorance is such bliss!

Try a 55 year RL history, when was the last time a London team got 15k to game or a sponsor worth more than $1.5mill? Yes the failure of Quins/Ful/Broncos has a relevance on how an NRL team will do in WA

have u got anything positive to say about RL?

Explains why you're so happy then


55 years of top flight RL in WA? Really?


Challenge Cup final.....how many major competition finals have WA been to?
Virgin were worth more than £1,500,000.....and the current owner ploughs £1,500,000 of his own money in now......that's pounds.



Abject failure.......except they are still in ESL and will be next year....but it's nice that you show your true colours. You're not for expansion...you're only for expansion on your terms. Very small minded.



I repeat, WA are the obvious choice, but like the fantasy posts regarding 300k sydney RL fans, 80,000 brisbane RL fans and the RLWC getting more viewers around the world than the other one.......you need to keep your feet on the ground. If you don't like the idea of London RL being compared then how about Victoria?
Melbourne has a massive population, also drawn from around Australia and the globe.....more people watch soccer there than the storm...they are on the up and that's brilliant, but once their honeymoon was over they struggled for 4 years on sub 10k's.....
.....all I am saying is that when you get the nod, as you will, THAT is when the hard work starts.

another great thread ruined by blatant trolling

In your opinion.
You were the first one to mention Union in this thread...you were also the first to call posters names for daring to have an opinion different to yours, you are the one trying to attract the attention of the mods because someone dares to have a different standpoint to yours.

Newsflash....this isn't your forum. It's a place for PUBLIC DISCUSSION. As for mentioning the bad bits of League...read the quote in my signature........the bit about "bagging".

This post was made by puttingup_not_shuttingup! who is currently on your ignore list. Display this post.


problem solved again ....no more gutter fax ...lol

how do you do ignore?

Had a productive meeting this evening with the WARL and pleased to say the bid is moving on nicely with plenty of corporate support getting on board. The local media are poised to jump on the bandwagon when an official call for expansion bids is made. Everything looking good, just need a decent IC and lots of TV $'s now!