A case of justice for the Central Coast Bears
Roar Rookie By Beowulf, 29 Jun 2010 Beowulf is a Roar Rookie
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For the NRL to grow and ward off increased competition from AFL in heartland areas, there are only two options: either the NRL cuts weak teams or expands into areas that can subsidize the weak teams and grow the game.
I believe the days of forced mergers and culling are over.
No one wants that pain again, and it will only contain costs, not increase revenues as TV demands more games to broadcast. Unless a team is willing to relocate, the existing 16 teams will remain in situ.
Therefore, the NRL must expand to increase the number of games and revenues, and like any business, you must grow with minimal risk.
Looking at areas of population sufficiently close to a stadium (say 1.5 hours travel), the candidates would be: Central Coast (including North Shore); Adelaide; Melbourne(2); Perth; Brisbane(2); Central QLD; PNG and Wellington.
Assuming all agree that Melbourne (2) will never happen, and Adelaide, PNG and Wellington are at least ten years away (barring voluntary relocation), that leaves Central Coast, Perth, Brisbane (2) and Central QLD.
All have positive points, and I would love to see all included in perhaps two phases over the next five-six years.
As a battle-scarred Bear, I am an optimist, so I will not point out negatives in other bids, just advantages of the Central Coast Bears.
1. A rugby league heartland with no NRL team. The third largest junior league in Australia, with no local pathway to the NRL. No one doubts they will get 15,000-20,000 to Bluetongue stadium, and 20,000 to the one proposed game at North Sydney Oval v Manly each year.
2. Potential revenue stream.
The NRL itself concedes they have lost 400,000 supporters of league with the exclusion of the Bears.
There’s an instant addition to increased TV ratings/revenues, Foxtel subscriptions etc on top of all those new residents within the 1,000,0000 catchment area unfamiliar with NRL, or having a local team to support. In the 1990′s the Bears were the second most watched NRL team on TV, with lots of support in QLD where an excellent recruitment/development system, still fondly remembered, was in place.
3. Zero risk. I understand the Central Coast have more sponsors already than some existing NRL clubs (more announcements in coming weeks), and are being approached directly by companies wishing to buy into such a great ‘feel good’ story.
Interest is coming from all the key commercial centres within the Central Coast’s catchment – North Sydney, Chatswood, North Ryde and Gosford – a formidable stable of commercial power few NRL teams can match. The passion is incredible for this team – you don’t know what you’ve lost until its gone.
4. Low costs. Travel to the Central Coast is relatively easy for all NSW teams, hence opposition costs for the majority are reduced, plus the Central Coast will bring an away army of Central Coast/North Shore supporters to all Sydney and Newcastle away games, increasing crowd attendances and revenues for the weaker Sydney clubs.
The clubs infrastructure is all in place – stadium, management, coach, jersey and other merchandise, financial memberships growing daily, website and facebook site with more members than many NRL teams.
5. Opposition code threats. As a resident of the catchment area, I witness the growth of football and AFL with some alarm. 10km from the city, kids rarely wear NRL jerseys whereas fifteen years ago Bears jerseys abounded.
The Central Coast Mariners is a Central Coast/north shore football team, so the model works. Luckily for Central Coast league supporters, they have a historic brand they can leverage corporate support off, to generate the revenue streams needed to survive in the NRL that otherwise would be impossible if the Central Coast stood alone.
6. Justice. Without getting too sentimental, the Bears never got a fair go at the conclusion of the Super League war (some of it self-inflicted), and the support from other club supporters, particularly Souths fans, for the bid has been truly heartening.
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June 29th 2010 @ 12:26pm
Jim Wilson said | June 29th 2010 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
As far as expansion goes consideration must be given as to when the extra game can be telecast.
The Sunday 1pm or 2pm timeslot is one of the hardest ones to fill. For the Queensland based teams it is just to hot early in the season & just to early for most fans to get to the game.
However, in NZ the timeslot is perfect i.e. a 3 pm or 4pm start. With two teams in NZ a game could be played in this timeslot each Sunday
So the more I think about it another team from NZ makes sense.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:03pm
Holty said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
I agree that expansion is going to be required and I also wonder if speculating in areas that have no certainty in their future, eg Perth, is such a smart move. What would be wrong with taking those clubs that are financially shaky and have them adopt a region to play in? For example, if the Sharks took up a partnership with Darwin, Tamworth, Toowoomba or Adelaide for example. They could designate 3-5 home games and get an accurate feel for the level of interest and possible success. It would also sound out additional sponsorship opportunities as well as increasing the supporter base. Pre-season matches prove the patronage regional centres give the NRL, with subsequent financial gains. I am certain regional govts would be bending over backwards to support these ventures. If the exercise is successful the club could either look at making it a more permanent arrangement eg Cronulla/Darwin Sharks or continue it for another season. If unsuccessful nothing has really been lost as gate takings at poor performing clubs would be low anyway. At the very least this gives fans, who would not otherwise have the chance to see these games, a large taste of the NRL.
My blood runs red and black and I’m counting the days to see the Bears back in the NRL. I greatly appreciate the efforts of Greg Florimo and all the team.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:14pm
Jack Mango said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
beowulf, brought a tear to the eye of a crusty old bear fan who remembers sunny winter arvos at NSO watching the boys in red and black find one more way to loose a game in the last minute.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:47pm
Beowulf said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Thanks Jack Mango! My first job was selling ice creams at North Sydney Oval in the mid-80′s, watching Mark Graham rip in. He was always great to us kids after the games too, a real gentleman.
June 29th 2010 @ 2:45pm
Col the Bear said | June 29th 2010 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
hey Jack is that Arvos or AVCOs
June 30th 2010 @ 1:03pm
Jack Mango said | June 30th 2010 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
A bit later Col, but I do remember the AVCO shirt. That would have been around the time of the AMCO cup? I seem to remember big Bill Hamilton raising the trophy one year, or am I just being deluded by sentimentality?
July 1st 2010 @ 5:51pm
Col the bear said | July 1st 2010 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Jack the bears were sponsered by AVCO from 1979 until 1987 in 1988 norths leagues become the sponsor until 1994 when Citibank took over until 99 when BBX sponsoredAmd yes Bill did hold u the cup in 1977 the queens silver jubilee year
July 1st 2010 @ 6:02pm
Col the bear said | July 1st 2010 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
Sorry I meant north leagues sponsored until 1991 and 1992 citibank come on board
June 29th 2010 @ 1:24pm
babybear said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
The central coast bears bid is outstanding and thanks to the bid team lead by greg florimo it will be successful. already the number of paid up members is over 1700 and growing daily not bad for a team that is not even in the NRL yet. The interest from the corporate world has been fantastic mortgage house, fortunity, Norths League, sinalli sports wear, JJ Lawson, Cannon, Sea FM, Star FM, 2ue, 2GB, and more to be announced soon. HERE COMES THE CENTRAL COAST BEARS for 2013.
Our game needs the bears on the central coast david gallop knows it and we all know it.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:31pm
Objective said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Good points all Beowulf! Well-argued and convincing for anyone who cares about and knows about rugby league. I am pretty sure the NRL powers-that-be all share a single brain cell, so if we can just get them in the room at the same time we may get some progress on this.
The suggestion that the CC Bear’s inclusion in the NRL is based on anything but long-term benefits for the code is completely myopic. As your article discusses, the club’s administration and business plan is light years ahead of many current NRL clubs who struggle to pay their boot polishers, let alone their players (are you listening Sharks and Knights???). As a current member I too am up-to-date with how well Greg Florimo and his team are doing in their bid for inclusion. So, sentiment aside, I see the Bear’s admission to the competition as logical. Only an idiot would suggest they do not deserve it…but hang on. We have quite a few of those running, or should I say “ruining”, the game right now. So I may be way off.
Admitting the CC Bears to the NRL would be the single best and most effective factor to stem any potential incursions from the AFL. A strong and loyal supporter base; a team with 100 years of tradition immediately to draw upon; a geographical area the envy of most NRL clubs (including the affluent North Shore and expanding Central Coast; a management team reliant on more than poker machines and chook raffles to run a footy club. It’s all there.
When people ask me which NRL team I suppoprt, I still say the Bears, so confident am I of their incusion in 2013. As a dyed in the wool Bears boy it would a make me a perfectly contented man to see them back. I can’t wait to take my son to his first game.
Well done Beowulf!! The voice of reason finally speaks.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:55pm
Beowulf said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Thanks Objective, your second last para. sums it up for me. I have 2 kids with another on the way. My first will be 6 come start of 2013, a perfect age to commence his education (indoctrination)!!!! I want to be able to go to NRL games with my children and support the Bears for the rest of my days, and give my children the same option with their kids.
June 29th 2010 @ 1:43pm
Col the Bear said | June 29th 2010 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
exactly..I haven’t been to an NRL game,in years, “no bears, dont care”, wait I fib, I did go to 2 this year both at gosford, one when the Flo called on CCBears supporters to get there for the Souths /knights game (and the Bears supporters drowned out the Knights supporters, loved it) and the CCBears march when over 1300 turned up to support the CCBears..(photos anyone) for the Roosters v knights game… but not interested in the game, didn’t care who won, and left half way through the game.. WHY!!?; because they weren’t my team…so no interest..and as you Objective, it’s the Bears or nothing.. and I’m the same, the last time I took my kids to the NRL was 1999, the last game at Bear pk..they are now in their teens.. BUT I have been to heaps of Bears games since in the Reserve grade/Premier league/ NSW cup… since 99..so my kids still support the Bears..and they all have CCBears merchandise…oh and they are all paid up members
Oh and Kerry Boustead also played for the Bears..
June 29th 2010 @ 3:13pm
Corey said | June 29th 2010 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
I honestly believe the CC Bears are a guarantee, at least whilst Gallop is at the helm. I don’t think Gallop is the best administrator, but he is far better than Colin Love. I think CC Bears will add more to League, the Sydney tribal games are good, if you are a fan of the tribes. But I love watching clubs represent their people, Sydney City don’t know who they are representing (and neither do their fans), and CC Bears represents 2 things, Central Coast and North Sydney.
I think CC will get in, even if there may be no other expansion team (although I hope Perth do get a team). If CC do not get a team by 2013 than we can guarantee Rugby League in Australia has had no forward movement. We need to claim the heartlands than move into expansion (a bit like William Wallace did with the Scots). AFL does this well, by using the heartlands to support and sponsor their move into expansion areas.
I must admit, I love League more than any other game, but with the Lions being up here and won 3 premierships in a row I watch the occasional match (although this year they haven’t helped that statistic). So getting CC will have immediate benefits, getting Perth will not. They need to give concessions to these new clubs so they can win a premiership and grab a supporter base.
I think if CC wins a premiership within 5 years, and the Mariners haven’t than League will almost be the only code up their. Although I do think they should work together (at least for a while). I also believe the clubs that have never won a premiership really need to pull the finger out and get one (I know it’s easier said than done but I do believe if the Storm never won a premiership and they had this scandal released they would go down, and quick). The cowboys need to win one for their travelling supporters, the Titans need to win one for their club to survive, the Warriors need to win one so NRL can move even further into NZ and the Sharks need to win one or else they are gone forever.
June 29th 2010 @ 8:10pm
Beowulf said | June 29th 2010 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
Part of the Independant Commission agreement is that Gallop will remain CEO for 4 years. From his comments over the past 6 months, it seems he’s now in agreeance re Central Coast and Perth bids, but after 10 years of trying, we can’t take anything for granted now and have to keep working on signing up new members for 2010 & 2011, so a 90% chance becomes a certainty. I think the target for membership is around 5,000 by 31March 2011…….anything approaching that and the NRL would be unable to say no.
June 30th 2010 @ 1:01pm
Corey said | June 30th 2010 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
And I think that is what the NRL should be saying from now on, many people/places are saying they are going to bid for a franchise very shortly so the NRL has some ability to choose. They should set a minimum requirement standard; one that the pending franchises must reach before being up for acceptance. I would recommend:
1. Major Sponsor for a minimum 5 years
2. A proposed Stadium with a minimum capacity of 15k
3. Ticketed Season Membership of 5k
4. Training Facilities and Home Base
5. Local Community Support (e.g. Newspapers, Local Radio, etc.)
6. Grassroots set up and the training of local juniors to promote into the NRL
7. Commitment to the Community with a program set up so the players are continually in the schools, hospitals and working with the less fortunate (this helps the players also by showing them that their footy contracts are a precious thing that shouldn’t be treated with contempt – i.e. drink driving, pub brawls etc.).
These 7 things should be minimums (I would even include a minimum requirement for the clubs to get the players a job post-footy in the likes of uni/tafe education or a trade, etc.)
June 29th 2010 @ 3:26pm
Col the Bear said | June 29th 2010 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
The Central Coast Bears and the Central Coast Mariners will work together, it will not be an ‘us against them ‘situation on the coast.. representatives from the Mariners came to our launch last Nov.. and it will be a good partnership.. The CCBears will be the winter sport and the CC Mariners will be the summer sport.. both codes will be community based and you’ll probably see a lot of cross promotional work..and charity work together..and I think thats a great thing…
June 29th 2010 @ 3:47pm
Beowulf said | June 29th 2010 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Good to hear Col,
It’s in both sports interests to cross-promote each other whilst ever the CC Mariners play in summer. Not only good for reducing marketing costs, it reinforces the notion that the Central Coast is being represented year-round in national sporting codes, and these teams will be investing back into the community through school mentoring and charities etc.
June 29th 2010 @ 8:49pm
Col the Pom said | June 29th 2010 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
Geeezus Col, I hope that David Gallop doesn’t hear that the two clubs are friendly, don’t you people realise that David thinks that any other sport is competition. GOOD LUCK to CC Bears.
June 30th 2010 @ 7:33am
Col the bear said | June 30th 2010 @ 7:33am | Report comment
As I said both codes will be community based.a lot of league fans on the coast support the mariners and visa versa .you suppprt your area and with the coast being sport crazy there is room for both codes to get along.as I said bears winter sport mariners summer.the mariners have done a great job connecting with their community over the past few years .and also what iteans is the stadium will be full for 12months of the year
June 29th 2010 @ 4:53pm
Col the bear said | June 29th 2010 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Thanks springs yes the bulldogs parra was what I was refering too.well I did say I haven’t watched much NRL since we were so unceremoniously removed from the comp.now to go on the Mariners are in the process of building a new training facility at tuggerah I believe including a new training oval and a stand for 2000. The cc is going ahead all that’s missing is their CC Bears
June 29th 2010 @ 6:26pm
Hansie said | June 29th 2010 @ 6:26pm | Report comment
Bringing back the Bears is a complete no brainer. There are sponsors lining up, there’s a huge catchment of juniors and there’ll be big crowds for every home game. And I know that sentiment can play no part, but bringing back the Bears will also right a wrong. All I want to know is where I can get my ticket for that first match against Manly at NSO?