queensland needs more teams along with gosford.

we can go to perth after that.

yeh lets spread the game to Q'land and NSW!

They won't allow a second Brisbane team and no other part of Q'land is within 10 years of an NRL side. Gosford, the NRL have clearly laid out there stall, they don't want ANOTHER NSW team, they want an existing one to move (which is a shame for the Bears but I can see the logic). Besides 3000 CC fans last Saturday hardly bodes well!

form another comp . perth . adalaide. darwin . alice springs. portmorsby. capeyork. kimborly. 7 teams

Oh yeah why didnt nobody else think of that

how are the reds getting on in the Jim Beam Cup? or is it bundaberg cup now?

Their last. Played 9
Won 0 Drew 1 Lost 8

we've been competitive in all but two games but can't seem to eek out a win. We did well last year in our first season but this year we just can't get the first win to get us going. Crowds have been good for this level but we do need to start winning at some point!

What have the crowd averages been like for the team?

can you show us the last 5 year results of the w.a. state league please

WA has always had strong junior numbers and the local competition got good crowds before the SL war wrecked RL.

we definately need a perth team, its just when

indeed, id say perth would add more for RL than the storm ever will

We are getting around 1000-1500 to Reds games. Every other Bundy team is lucky to get over 200 and most NSW cup teams get less than 1000.

In the Affiliated State Comp WA has won 7 of the last 8 years I think?

In WA jnr numbers are up and amateur numbers are also rising. We have had to start a 3rd grade comp from next week to cope with the number of players wanting a game which is great to see.

We still have a fair bit of work to do in Schools but overall we are certainly heading in the right direction.

www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0 ... 01,00.html Quote Implications of large Perth turnout not lost on NRL June 20, 2009 06:30pm FIFTEEN thousand fans went a long way towards letting the NRL know they want their own side in Perth. "The impact was not lost on anyone. Everybody took notice of what happened," an NRL spokesman said after Melbourne Storm scraped home 28-22 over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. "There's been universal acceptance that it was a success." But the NRL said, and the WA Rugby League accepts, that the one-off game was just the start of a long campaign to get a team in Perth. "We're looking very closely at Perth's involvement, but the fact is that we aren't about to throw another team into the competition," the spokesman said. "We aren't about to throw anything open and we're a long way from calling for submissions for an expansion side." The NRL wants to expand its competition to 18 teams in 2013 and Perth is expected to battle Adelaide and a second NZ team for a spot. The other team is likely to be based on the NSW Central Coast. But league fans can look forward to more top-flight games next season, with the Rabbitohs looking at bringing two games to Perth and St George Illawarra hosting a pre-season trial. WARL chairman Geoff Baldwin said hosting last week's game had been enormously satisfying. "We proved we can get a crowd and we've had corporates telling us they're prepared to commit after what they saw," he said. Baldwin said the WARL would need to be able to show the NRL that it could attract 10,000 members and $4-5million in corporate sponsorship. "We're realistic enough to know that those are the figures we need to talk about," he said. The WARL's NRL steering committee chairman, John Sackson, will be having talks with the national governing body during the next few weeks. "The NRL knows we have our own aspirations and goals and I'd say the door has moved from being ajar to being opened on the back of that game," Baldwin said. "We'll be getting stuck into putting our bid together, but there are many months of hard work ahead." There has been talk of the NRL offering $8million to a current club to relocate to Perth. Baldwin said he would listen to any proposals but added: "We wouldn't close the door on any talks, but our whole energy is going into establishing our own team. "A team that was likely to want to move is likely to have baggage, otherwise it wouldn't be moving.'' '"

www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0 ... 01,00.html Quote Implications of large Perth turnout not lost on NRL June 20, 2009 06:30pm FIFTEEN thousand fans went a long way towards letting the NRL know they want their own side in Perth. "The impact was not lost on anyone. Everybody took notice of what happened," an NRL spokesman said after Melbourne Storm scraped home 28-22 over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. "There's been universal acceptance that it was a success." But the NRL said, and the WA Rugby League accepts, that the one-off game was just the start of a long campaign to get a team in Perth. "We're looking very closely at Perth's involvement, but the fact is that we aren't about to throw another team into the competition," the spokesman said. "We aren't about to throw anything open and we're a long way from calling for submissions for an expansion side." The NRL wants to expand its competition to 18 teams in 2013 and Perth is expected to battle Adelaide and a second NZ team for a spot. The other team is likely to be based on the NSW Central Coast. But league fans can look forward to more top-flight games next season, with the Rabbitohs looking at bringing two games to Perth and St George Illawarra hosting a pre-season trial. WARL chairman Geoff Baldwin said hosting last week's game had been enormously satisfying. "We proved we can get a crowd and we've had corporates telling us they're prepared to commit after what they saw," he said. Baldwin said the WARL would need to be able to show the NRL that it could attract 10,000 members and $4-5million in corporate sponsorship. "We're realistic enough to know that those are the figures we need to talk about," he said. The WARL's NRL steering committee chairman, John Sackson, will be having talks with the national governing body during the next few weeks. "The NRL knows we have our own aspirations and goals and I'd say the door has moved from being ajar to being opened on the back of that game," Baldwin said. "We'll be getting stuck into putting our bid together, but there are many months of hard work ahead." There has been talk of the NRL offering $8million to a current club to relocate to Perth. Baldwin said he would listen to any proposals but added: "We wouldn't close the door on any talks, but our whole energy is going into establishing our own team. "A team that was likely to want to move is likely to have baggage, otherwise it wouldn't be moving.'' '"

From Rugby League Week

Another piece of the jigsaw gets put into place, just in time for our readmittance in 2013! www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0 ... 01,00.html Quote Government opts for $160m rectangular Members Equity Stadium July 25, 2009 09:40am THE State Government has committed to rebuild Members Equity Stadium as a rectangular dedicated rugby-soccer venue in a staged $160 million revamp. But work will not start for at least another year while detailed plans are drawn up and negotiations are held with the Town of Vincent over the level of control the government will have. The first step in the project that will take at least two years to complete will be to demolish the scaffold stand on the eastern side of the ground and replace it with a new state-of-the-art facility. Change rooms and player facilities will be built into the new eastern stand with a large drive through undercroft for team buses. The second stage will be to replace the current grandstand with the goal ends linked under one roof in the final stage. Most of the construction work will take place out of the Super 14 season. The government has based its plan on Skilled Park on the Gold Coast that opened in March last year and holds 27,400 spectators, has 100 open corporate boxes, 25 closed corporate suites and two 450 seat function rooms. '"

Another piece of the jigsaw gets put into place, just in time for our readmittance in 2013! www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0 ... 01,00.html Quote Government opts for $160m rectangular Members Equity Stadium July 25, 2009 09:40am THE State Government has committed to rebuild Members Equity Stadium as a rectangular dedicated rugby-soccer venue in a staged $160 million revamp. But work will not start for at least another year while detailed plans are drawn up and negotiations are held with the Town of Vincent over the level of control the government will have. The first step in the project that will take at least two years to complete will be to demolish the scaffold stand on the eastern side of the ground and replace it with a new state-of-the-art facility. Change rooms and player facilities will be built into the new eastern stand with a large drive through undercroft for team buses. The second stage will be to replace the current grandstand with the goal ends linked under one roof in the final stage. Most of the construction work will take place out of the Super 14 season. The government has based its plan on Skilled Park on the Gold Coast that opened in March last year and holds 27,400 spectators, has 100 open corporate boxes, 25 closed corporate suites and two 450 seat function rooms. '"

Doesnt ex Hull KR player Gareth (morton stock) Morton play for the reds now??
Massive size about him and can kick goals.

yep he is, also working for the club in memberships and corporate work. He is a class above anything else in the league.

More good news as we build towards 2013 Quote 28 Jul 2009 The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce that the NRL team will play one home competition fixture each year for the next two seasons at Members Equity Stadium, Perth's premier rectangular sporting venue. South Sydney took on the Melbourne Storm in round 14 of the NRL Telstra Premiership in 2009, a match that was widely regarded as a resounding success. Over 15,000 sports fans turned out to Members Equity Stadium on Saturday 13 June for the NRL fixture, with the success of the event and the associated activities leading South Sydney to commit to games in Western Australia for the next two seasons. "We are delighted to be able to announce that we'll be taking two home games to Perth over the next two seasons," South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson said today. "Our venture to Perth in 2009 was an unmitigated success. "Over 15,000 people came to watch one of the most entertaining matches of the season, where they got to see six of the current State of Origin players plus seven New Zealand representatives play for their respective Clubs. "We had over 300 school children, WARL Academy players, Members and supporters come to Members Equity Stadium on the Friday before the match and watch the team train, and then have the opportunity to meet the players and coaches and get autographs and photos with them. "The support shown for the game of Rugby League and for our Club was immense. We attracted new Members and corporate support to the Club, and supporters to the game itself. We look forward to building on that for the next two seasons." Mr Richardson said the NRL also behind the move to shift one game per season to Perth, indicating they are watching the interest in, and the development of, the game in the nation's west. "The National Rugby League is very supportive of South Sydney bringing a game here each season and with their support we're able to put on a great game day and highlight the attractions of Rugby League," Mr Richardson said. "We're also supportive of the WARL's bid for a team in the NRL competition in the not too distant future. "With the proposed upgrades to the venue, Members Equity Stadium is the perfect ground out of which the expansion Club formed could play. "We were blown away by just how successful the trip to the west coast was for us and for Rugby League in 2009, and we're very happy to be able to bring two more games west to Members Equity Stadium in 2010 and 2011." www.rabbitohs.com.au/News/Clu...-and-2011.html'"

More good news as we build towards 2013 Quote 28 Jul 2009 The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce that the NRL team will play one home competition fixture each year for the next two seasons at Members Equity Stadium, Perth's premier rectangular sporting venue. South Sydney took on the Melbourne Storm in round 14 of the NRL Telstra Premiership in 2009, a match that was widely regarded as a resounding success. Over 15,000 sports fans turned out to Members Equity Stadium on Saturday 13 June for the NRL fixture, with the success of the event and the associated activities leading South Sydney to commit to games in Western Australia for the next two seasons. "We are delighted to be able to announce that we'll be taking two home games to Perth over the next two seasons," South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson said today. "Our venture to Perth in 2009 was an unmitigated success. "Over 15,000 people came to watch one of the most entertaining matches of the season, where they got to see six of the current State of Origin players plus seven New Zealand representatives play for their respective Clubs. "We had over 300 school children, WARL Academy players, Members and supporters come to Members Equity Stadium on the Friday before the match and watch the team train, and then have the opportunity to meet the players and coaches and get autographs and photos with them. "The support shown for the game of Rugby League and for our Club was immense. We attracted new Members and corporate support to the Club, and supporters to the game itself. We look forward to building on that for the next two seasons." Mr Richardson said the NRL also behind the move to shift one game per season to Perth, indicating they are watching the interest in, and the development of, the game in the nation's west. "The National Rugby League is very supportive of South Sydney bringing a game here each season and with their support we're able to put on a great game day and highlight the attractions of Rugby League," Mr Richardson said. "We're also supportive of the WARL's bid for a team in the NRL competition in the not too distant future. "With the proposed upgrades to the venue, Members Equity Stadium is the perfect ground out of which the expansion Club formed could play. "We were blown away by just how successful the trip to the west coast was for us and for Rugby League in 2009, and we're very happy to be able to bring two more games west to Members Equity Stadium in 2010 and 2011." www.rabbitohs.com.au/News/Clu...-and-2011.html'"

JB. If you're not aware. You have to thank the NRL. As they pay for Souths flights.

Souths in turn pay for their opponents.

NRL or ARL?

NRL I believe pay for all travel costs for clubs don't they? Yep good that they are willing to pay out a few grand, nice to see them being proactive. Not quite in the same league as the ARU's $12mill but its a start!

ARL have been very supportive and we wouldn't have the WA Reds up and running without them. They have kicked in close to a $1mill so far I believe.

Souths made a tidy profit out of this years venture West so it is good business sense for them. I'll become a Western Rabbitoh member now, not because I support South's but I will support them supporting the development of the game out here.

Hopefully Rusty can come out nexy year and get us plenty of media profile for the game.

Isn't the downside always going to be exactly what many predicted and has happened to the Force? Lots of fans early days then despite actually improving as a team, crowds falling away to the extent that many in the ARU are querying whether they should lose their franchise?

I hear what you're saying about grass roots though. How does RL compare to Union at the grassroots level?

a few force r.union players are comming back home to the east

Alot of the crowd drop off has to do with playing at Subi, alot like what happened to the Western Reds playing at the WACA. They still have ticketed membership of 20,000 so not doing too bad! We will see them sell out MES for every game probably next season.

RL used to be alot stronger than Union in Perth but over the last decade RU has got stronger and now with the amount of development officers the ARU are funding in WA and the Forces profile we are facing a major battle to keep our kids playing RL. I think the ARL have recognised this and is one of the reasons they have supported the Reds come back.

perth has always had good RL roots.

remember the ARL went to perth before they thought of melbourne

the local perth GF used to get crowds of 20,000, junior numbers have always been very good.

perth would be a better RL bet than Melbourne, but we are stuck with the storm now.

im not sure perth deserve an NRL spot next time, but after another queenlsand team and central coast, id back them to come in 2018 with NZ or PNG

What's "deserve" got to do with it (and how do you deam us undeserving?)

The question should be will Perth add more to the game than other places and can we sustain a team financially and fanbase wise come 2013.

CC are only popular becasue Sydney folk want to see the badly treated Bears back in some guise or other. CC is the size of Canberra without the advantage of the pokies to keep them afloat. I'd be happy to see an existing Sydney NRL team move there but we shouldn't be using another valuable license (one of probably only 4 remaining) on another NSW team that isn't going to add anything more than the 9 existing NSW clubs we have.

Another Brisbane club is a no brainer but it ain't going to happen anytime soon imo, no other part of Q'land has the population, stadia or corporate support to be ready for 2013.

IF they do expand it will be Perth and CC imo. Personally I'd prefer Perth and Wellington if Wellington can build a good bid.