The success in 2014 of foundation and reinstated club South Sydney, with the accompanying surge in TV ratings, has highlighted the benefits of reinstating another foundation Club – the Bears.
Fans crave history and tradition in a code that has done its utmost to destroy itself in recent times.
It is timely to recall that only one team voted to keep Souths in the competition post Super League – North Sydney.
They were guaranteed survival if they relocated to Gosford, a move they had been contemplating for 20 years, and did so, pumping all their resources into a new stadium only for the promise to be reneged.
Rumours circulate that there have been numerous other promises from senior officials to approve the Central Coast Bears over the past dozen years. Bears officials won’t comment – they retain a sense of honour. If the NRL has a shred of integrity, they will address this gross injustice.
In coming months, the NRL will decide if and where to add new teams to the competition, to add value to the next TV rights deal. The Central Coast Bears have targeted 30,000 Facebook friends in the interim (they currently approaching 27,000) and have 8000 disgruntled financial members who have been in limbo for three years.
They must be added to the NRL as a matter of urgency and the reasons are manyfold.
The Central Coast and north shore of Sydney comprises 23 junior teams and a population of almost one million. That is a far larger catchment than almost every existing NRL team in NSW.
Travel times by heavy rail negate the realistic opportunity for the mass transport of large volumes of supporters from the region to existing NRL grounds in support of other teams. The closest accessible grounds are Allianz Stadium or ANZ stadium, and both require nearly two hours travel time from Gosford and one hour from the north shore.
The Central Coast also doesn’t have enough heavy industry or corporate headquarters to generate sponsorship for a stand-alone team. It requires the corporate support of the North Sydney Bears zone (North Sydney, St Leonards, Chatswood, North Ryde and Hornsby), which represents the second largest corporate zone in NSW and the third (behind Melbourne) in Australia.
A Central Coast stand-alone side is not possible. Even the Mariners are beginning to link with the Northern Suburbs Football Association and are hosting a game at North Sydney Oval against Melbourne Victory in coming weeks
The NRL lost more than 40,000 fans as a result of the Bears being removed from the competition post Super League. Being a foundation club, many were multi-generational fans incapable of supporting any other team. The majority have switched to other codes and many would only return with the reinstatement of the Bears. Northbridge Football Club has grown from a tiny club in 15 years to the largest junior football club in the southern hemisphere, and the Willoughby Wildcats have grown from obscurity to the largest junior AFL team in Sydney as a result
The Sydney-based Bears fans will also boost home attendance figures of the other Sydney teams when compared with interstate options, in particular local rivals Manly, the Roosters, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Canterbury-Bankstown and Parramatta.
Rugby league junior player numbers are stagnating on the Coast and are on life support on the north shore without an NRL team. The closest geographically, Manly, is incapable of providing support due to its financial state and a historic enmity that ensures few on the north shore could ever support the Sea Eagles.
Their ground is crumbling, corporate facilities are appalling and there is no hope of major refurbishment in light of the NRL’s decision to relocate games to major stadiums. The Sea Eagles cannot grow the game from their current base (in fact they will shrink over time), yet the Central Coast Bears can, instantly.
There is a natural connection between the Central Coast and northern Sydney, both geographically and historically. The Coast was part of the North Sydney catchment until 1947 when both it and Manly broke away due to North Sydney’s goodwill. The Coast wore red and black as representative colours until the 1980s. It is as seamless a merger as St-George Illawarra, except in the Bears’ model the regional partner gains almost all home games.
The Bears were also one of the most watched (and successful in terms of winning percentage) teams in the 1990s, with a large following in Queensland due to the number of Bears players coming from north of the border, similar to Melbourne now. This remains the case, and polls have consistently shown Queensland fans preferring the Bears’ admission over other Queensland teams. This would add to national TV ratings appeal.
Both Manly and the Roosters have historically wielded incredible influence at both NRL executive level and through the media via a posse of tame reporters. Many would say they use this power to oppose the Bears (the Roosters openly championed the Titans’ admission in 2005), and it’s easy to see why. Without any current competition in the region, both clubs have been very successful since 1999. Should the game be held back to allow two clubs to benefit so unfairly?
John Quayle calls the admission of the Central Coast Bears an absolute no-brainer. The cards may fall that way naturally as two new teams are required to add value to a TV deal. If the Titans begin playing out of Suncorp regularly they become the alternative TV option to the Broncos each Friday night.
I think it’s obvious to all (and history would suggest so) that the Gold Coast could not be sustained long term if another Queensland side was admitted. A venture that adds value and heals old wounds at little or no cost makes perfect business sense – enter the Central Coast Bears.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Norths are associated with Souths. Souths Juniors that do not play in their NRL side play for Norths & there are Norths juniors now under contract with Souths therefore Storm Boy if anything it would be classified as Souths by the NRL. As far as those in the district they would be very offended at your remarks (but, you know that).
81paling
Roar Rookie
Rugby League must learn the lessons of Rugby Union's attempt to expand as it placed franchisee's in non-heartland area's like Melbourne and Perth. Now it is broke and less popular than it has ever been yet despite this there are people who still support the idea of teams in non heartland area's like Perth and New Zealand. Melbourne has bleed money from day 1 costing the game almost 1/2 a billion as schedule's must be organised not to clash with AFL or everyone down there will go to other alternate sports. The Central Coast has a stadium fans and a business plan that will not waste millions. If people want to see League go the same was as Union then support bids outside League heartland like Rugby Union has done and you will be responsible for the same depressing mess they are in. Otherwise to see the game expand in terms of fan growth the Bears is the only sensible option and for those looking for Brisbane expansion forget it NEWS & the Bronc's will crush you like they did the Crushers. Brisbane expansion is unfortunately just not going to happen whilst NEWS own the majority of the Bronco's. So come on NRL do something positive & exciting for the game that will not end up as a total disaster and grant the Central Coast Bears the license that they deserve and makes sense.
Storm Boy
Guest
Wouldn't the growth in Northbridge Football Club & Willoughby Wildcats have come from RU juniors, kids who weren't playing anything at all, then maybe NRL. There's no evidence Northbridge Football Club & Willoughby Wildcats have taken numbers from NRL. Anyway north side of Sydney would be classified as Manly NRL area by NRL now seeing as they are the only NRL club until you reach the eastern side of Eels territory.
Antho
Guest
The NRL really needs to model their business after the NFL, by far the world's most financially successful football competition. I'd take all the current teams and distribute them out to universities to create a national second tier competition, use a process similar to the college system in America the vast majority of our players would compete in this system before entering the national competition by way of draft. A marquee game each week on FTA and a few other games added to a NRL foxtel channel would give this competition a following and continue with the "tribalism"approach that for some reason people like, but is horribly financially unsuccessful. This allows for a true professional national league, there is no denying that if you were to start the league from scratch today it would look nothing like it currently does, take a map and plot out the 18 largest population areas, then work with the state governments to ensure suitable stadiums are available, 18 in total, there should be no sharing amongst teams. Consult the community to create the team names and identity, With effort and hard work the league would be successful, you are developing the players and ensuring they receive an education before playing professionally, community involvement won't guarantee success but it won't hurt either, and most importantly the Central Coast can have the teams we were promised so long ago.
code 13
Roar Guru
The next 4 teams: West Coast Pirates in Perth South Queensland Brothers in Brisbane New Zealand II in Wellington/Christchurch Central Coast Bears in Gosford Sea Eagles --> North Sydney Sea Eagles and take over the Bears former North Sydney territory Wests Tigers --> West Sydney Tigers Merge Easts & Cronulla --> East Sydney Sharks split between SFS & Cronulla then readmit the Adelaide Rams 20 team comp
Adam Gulla
Guest
You have to bring the bears back!! They were a foundation club from 1908. It will be great for the nrl and I will follow the game again.
Matthew Foreman
Guest
Hi Beowulf, I remember you from the Rleague forum days. A great article. I would like to fix one incorrect fact though. North Sydney weren't the only side to oppose the removal of South Sydney. Canterbury Bankstown also opposed and were active supporters, both financially and vocally, in bringing back the foundation club. There are strong links between the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs. All fans that are true fans of these clubs know this (not the bandwagon supporters).
pat malone
Guest
why would the government spend 100 million putting in a new stadium on the north shore? they have already stated that no more money is going to suburban grounds
Fivehole
Roar Rookie
Keep fighting the good fight Beowulf. I hope to see them back in the top flight one day.............. My kids friends ask me about the footy jerseys i still wear - "which team is that?" Saddens me. If Manly and Newcastle are smart, they'd be pushing for CCB admission - derby games are always the best
Cav
Guest
why does it have to be a 30,000 capacity stadium? 18,000 to 20,000 wil fill and that's what you want.
Rob9
Roar Guru
No Beowulf. My comment was in response to this from you above: “its far closer to Suncorp from the Gold Coast than from the Central Coast to the SFS.” ‘Closer’ suggests you’re using a measurement of distance as opposed to time. And the distances I’ve quoted to you are from google maps which aren’t ‘AS THE CROW FLIES’. As I’ve said, I agree that the CC Bears should be included in the NRL’s future expansion plans. But what I 100% refute is this from your article: “I think it’s obvious to all (and history would suggest so) that the Gold Coast could not be sustained long term if another Queensland side was admitted.” Comments like this and the one I’m referring to above suggest you don’t understand the demographic, geographic and cultural situation on the Gold Coast. You might have a point if Queensland’s next expansions area was being touted as Coolangatta or Coomera but as they’re located in Brisbane or further north, another team in the SE corner is going to have absolutely no impact on the Titans. It actually presents another ‘derby’ game, which as you point out is a great strength for Sydney teams. I can also tell you that if I or 90% of residents on Gold Coast were to attend a game at Suncorp, travel time from door to stadium would resemble what you’re quoting from the Gosford to the SFS. As you probably know, the train line runs down the back of the Coast which is well away from the vast majority of the population and there’s only around 15 minutes difference in train travel time from Robina to Brisbane Central compared to Gosford to Sydney Central.
Bert
Guest
You can jack me off...... Mate you have little idea obviously. Qlders supported the Bears because they had Tony Rea, Peter Jackson, Brett Dallas, Ben Ikin, Noel Solomon, Kelly Egan, Gary Larson, Billy Moore, Kerry Boustead & Les Kiss to name some of the great Qlders who played for the Bears. There are seven of these who wore Maroon as well as the red and black.
Beowulf
Guest
Bert 100% with you. QLD has a huge support base for the Bears, given the great relationship the club had with our QLD players. Wally Lewis almost joined us.....we thought we had him for 24 hours! The only advantage to losing your team is that you gain 15....as you say, whoever is playing Manly!
Beowulf
Guest
Every single NRL poll on expansion has shown strong support for the Bears over any QLD option, and the largest support % wise comes from QLD.
Beowulf
Guest
Unfortunately if this bid is rejected, the Bears bid shuts down and its gone for good.....along with all the gooses like me that kept plugging away, believing the NRL's weasel words that we'd be reinstated 'very soon'. The best form of revenge would be to throw total support behind other codes to punish the game - you've only got to look at soccer and AFL growth to see how many Bears fans are/have done that....and it will only increase if this bid is rejected. That's not being bitter - only a fool would keep coming back after the way Bears and Central Coast fans have been treated. I love the Bears but have lost my love of the game.
Beowulf
Guest
It certainly would add to TV value, have to disagree. There is a Foundation factor that pulls ratings for the historic clubs....everyone has a friend or relative, Uncle or whatever that supports/supported a traditional team....so there is a connection there new teams simply cannot compete with. There's also the feel-good comeback factor, new fans in the 1 million catchment, plus the large Kiwi and particularly QLD support base the Bears have. I agree its not the Bears strongest suit, but add that to the no risk factor and no cost factor and it allows the NRL to invest heavily financially in a new market. I think the Bears have every right to be in the competition, being there since 1908, no salary cap, drug or rape scandals - I find it disturbing that rugby league people are so eager to dispense with such fine history and tradition....without it RL becomes a shallow, soulless and meaningless exercise, one I certainly want no part of if this bid is rejected.
Beowulf
Guest
Rob9, the whole premise of my article is that mass transport by heavy rail precludes Central Coast residents from attending matches in Sydney - around 2 hours travel time to a stadium. Its nearly half that from the Gold Coast to Suncorp. So I would respectfully suggest you read my article before claiming I have no idea what I'm talking about. Of course the Gold Coast & Brisbane are the same distance apart as Gosford-Sydney AS THE CROW FLIES. But that's a meaningless statistic. The NRL in and around Sydney wants grounds near heavy rail infrastructure because car travel is not an option in Sydney.
Mike Pearsall
Roar Rookie
As much as I hate to admit it, being a Bears fan & junior, he's absolutely spot on. I want the Bears back in as much as anyone. I grew up North of the bridge, been a part of Asquith Magpies all my life, played SG Ball for Norths etc. etc. I think had Gallop gone ahead with it in 2013 the Bears would have been a sure thing, because no one else was close to being ready. But he held off and put expansion on the backburner til the next broadcast deal, which tells me the NRL are just playing the waiting game because they want to expand out of NSW. WA & NZ means new time slots for television, and a second Brisbane team taps in to a rich market that we know is footy mad. My vote is 100% behind the Bears for sentimental reasons, but I don't expect them to be back anytime in the next decade.
Leaguecoach101
Guest
Never going to happen. Why? Simple reason. The addition of the Central Coast Bears or North Sydney Bears or whatever the hell you call it.... does nothing for TV ratings. As you stated - the NRL is looking at adding teams in preparation for the next TV deal. Hence decisions about where to place a team will be based on how valuable their games would be as a TV property. 2nd Brisbane team? Builds the brand in Queensland and means there are home games at Suncorp every week. However does this add to the TV audience? Jury is still out. Perth team? Opens up a whole new market for TV. No brainer. This is undoubtably the number #1 pick. 2nd New Zealand team? Again - no brainer. The Warriors have always had an 'Auckland-centric' stink about them in New Zealand. The addition of a second team based in Wellington would open up that market. Adelaide Team? Certainly opens a new market but.... not sure the AFL centric population will support and watch an SA NRL team. Jury out. Central Coast or North Sydney team? Adds nothing to the TV value. Clutters an already congested Sydney market. Again - a no brainer. Not a chance.
Jack meoff
Guest
No way would Queenslanders want the bears back over a new qld team? Where did you do you research ?