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.
Beowulf
Guest
As soon as the NRL grant the Coast a license (expected date mid 2011) the CC Bears will get straight into signing up the locals for sure.....they will be the CC Bears of the next 15 years. That will be one of the highest priorities.
ak10
Guest
Does the CCB have a development programme that will sign up local SG & HM from say the 2011 season so they can retain for 2013?
Col the bear
Guest
And Isnt the whole idea of the new tv rights deal to make the game more fincially viable and that starts for the 2013 season the same time the 2new franchises are due to start.
Col the bear
Guest
James. You say OR delay. the bears have been delayed for 10years for god sake get use to the bears because we are going to make it happen and Perth will more the likely be the 18th team. One ARL team and one super League team back into the fold after way to long. the CC Bears catchment area is 1million population. That's why they also deserve a shot at this.GO THE BEARS
Col the bear
Guest
If the bears bid can show sustainability then they have every right to be back in this comp.if we can locate all these members and sponsors in so called tough times then why can't the other teams?maybe other clubs are getting to cozy and sitting back feeling safe.they have to realize they need fresh new ideas to keep their clubs functional and financially viable.the days of the chook raffle and relying on pokies is over think outside the square the ccbs sure are I can tell you that.
Beowulf
Guest
QLD don't deserve any more teams because they are not putting any serious bids in - CQLD is certainly trying, but are 5-10 years away...they need to build a stadium first, then trial NRL games there over 4 or 5 years to gauge support - I personally think Rocky and its surrounds just aren't big enough at present. There's a case that could be made for Bris2 but no serious bid. Only Central Coast and Perth are serious short-term contenders. Why is it unfair to QLDers if they can't be bothered getting their act together? Since when have state boundaries got anything to do with NRL licences.....you fish where the fish are. Is it unfair that VIC has so many AFL licences???? You grant licences to communities that are demanding a team, that can sustain a team and can add revenue to the game. Central Coast qualify on all counts. The Central Coast is one of the fasting growing regions in NSW and will have over 400,000 people by 2035. Add to that the disenfranchised supporters on the north shore and elsewhere disillusioned since the Super League War. I think you are grossly underestimating the powerful branding of an establishment Club nationwide, not just 'NSW', and the marketing potential for the NRL of readmission. Seems D. Gallop agrees - C.Coast and Perth will be in, providing a decent media deal is forthcoming. In fact, C.Coast could come in regardless of any deal right now.
JamesG
Guest
Chris K, the passion for league is great in many ppl, inc the Gosford area. If the NRL was rolling in money Id be okay with the idea, but we need to ensure the financial situation with the whole NRL is solid before we expand. Most NRL clubs barely run a profit and spreading our revenue across another team, in NSW in particular, better add up or it has to be turned down OR delayed. Its unfair to Qlders that NSW-ACT gets yet another team before they do. Its currently 11 to 3 which is absurd. Youve got to think outside of your own backyard mate, put the game first, put the nation first.
Chris K
Guest
You never supported the North Sydney Bears, you don't know what its like not having a team that represents you and where your from even though they have every right to be there. This isn't about expansion or making money, this is about rewriting wrongs, this a foundation club for god's sake. Its easy for you to say League doesn't run on nostalgia as someone who is pretty impartial to the Bears but this club already has sponsors and ready made junior talent and supporters.
JamesG
Guest
I cannot disagree more strongly. 1. Gosford is so close to Sydney its virtually another Sydney team. Blue Tongue stadium is probably closer to Luna Park than Campbelltown is. 2. Its preaching to the converted. Expansion is all about converting hearts, minds and wallets to league. 3. The AFL is opening up 2 shops in our backyard so lets respond by...putting one in our own backyard too?! What the?! 4. NSW-ACT already has 11 teams and Qld has 3. Gosford would make it 12! NSW pop is 7.4mill, Qld is 4.4 mill and Qld is growing faster. Queensland NRL teams also get better average crowd figures than all NSW teams. 5. Rugby league doesnt run on nostalgia, the Bears passed, it wasnt pretty, but so did in the Newtown Jets in 1983. 6. We need less teams in the Sydney basin - not more.
HK47
Roar Rookie
I don't know much about League beyond State of Origon, the Storm, Super League war and my dads pro-union stance (Sometimes I agree especially world cup and 6 nationwize, but I watch SOO and its my rugby code again). And I honestly think that a long term expansion plan would be arguably the best way to go. CCB should unarguably be the first new team on the agenda, and then Perth, Either at the same time (2013) or 1 year after another. The NRL should then decide the next 2 teams to come into the league, up to 5 years before it actually happens. Whether they be, 1 a second Brisbane team, 2 Central Queensland, 3. A second New Zealand team (is tt Canterbury?), or 4. A PNG team. I think that the last 2 would be best suited to the NRL.
Col the bear
Guest
Sorry I meant north leagues sponsored until 1991 and 1992 citibank come on board
Col the bear
Guest
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
Col the bear
Guest
Gallop said today in the press the bears and Perth are the leading contenders for expansion
Jack Mango
Guest
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?
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
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.)
babybear
Guest
day by day the case for the central coast bears to be put in for 2013 just keeps on getting better and better
Col the bear
Guest
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
Ourimbah Magpies
Guest
Went to school with Skaiffey at Wyong High, aren't Holdens colours "RED & BLACK" and Nikki Garrett is a Terrigal gal.
ac
Guest
I think the Roosters have to go - no junior leaque, no supporters no geographical area. Oh thats right the guy who runs or owns NIINE follows them. Silly me' , to me they are the logical ones to go.
Col the Pom
Guest
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.