WA Reds

[jim]

Apparently the WA Reds will no longer field a senior team next year. It's not great news for their NRL but they will still field a SG Ball side.

Apparently finances aren't that great so SG Ball might be a better option anyway, it gives WA under 18's a better chance of making it into NRL clubs by playing against them each week. Also it is only something like 10 weeks long so it will be alot better for the budget.

They will still bid for a spot in 2013 so the lack of a senior team isn't really too bad IMO, they should have a few home grown in NRL squads and let's be honest very few of the players would have made the step up to NRL anyway. Once they get the NRL license and sponsors that come with it I'm sure they'll have plenty of money for travelling, running a reserve team and Toyota Cup team.

Here's hoping anyway, they are essential for 2013 IMO.

[Druzik]

Bugger... that doesnt sound good. Hopefully they can get things up and running.

[England 3 Lions]

WARL TAKES NEXT STEP TOWARDS NRL FRANCHISE


Media Statement

WA Rugby League step closer to NRL Franchise

After two years in the NSW based Bundaberg Cup the WA Reds will now change strategic direction as they position themselves for an NRL franchise bid by focussing on the SG Ball under 18’s competition, according to WARL Chairman Geoff Baldwin.



“The logistical and structural experience gained over the past two seasons has been invaluable and we have learnt an enormous amount about what’s involved with a Perth based team playing in a National competition however it is now time to take the next step focusing on our younger players”, Mr Baldwin said.



“If we are serious about providing a career path for our local players whereby they can be part of our inaugural WA based NRL side in 2013 then we must start by exposing them to the higher level sooner rather than later.



“From next season the WA Reds will cease playing in the Bundaberg Cup and will instead kick off in the under 18 SG Ball competition which is a recognised stepping stone into the NRL.



“In our view, expansion of the NRL competition by another two teams is inevitable and following the success of recent NRL games hosted in Perth and the solid structures we have set in place we would be very confident of being serious participants in the bidding process.



“We intend to ensure we are prepared and an important component of that is the preparation of local players who can be serious contenders by season 2013 which is likely to be when the League expands.



“We also believe this decision will leave our local senior competition in a much stronger position that it was before the current Reds and we are confident that we will now also attract many younger players from NSW and QLD as they see WA being a clearer pathway to the NRL.



“It is our intention to run a substantial academy with between 40 and 50 participants from which we will select our SG Ball side however this initiative will also strengthen our WA State Representative teams and breathe new life into our junior competition locally.



“Although the NRL remains coy about its expansion vision there are simply too many pressures for it not to happen and it is widely expected by most knowledgeable stakeholders, that an announcement will be made sometime next year”, Mr Baldwin said.

Source