NRL WA Chief Executive John Sackson says the Perth Bears will put Rugby League on the map in Western Australia, following its announcement last week. 

The NRL announced the Australian Rugby League Commission and State Government had reached an agreement last Thursday. 

The Perth Bears will become the 18th franchise in the league and are set to join the league in March 2027.

Thursday’s announcement not only marks WA’s return to the NRL for the first time since 1997, but also the return of heritage side North Sydney Bears. 

Perth and North Sydney will have a bi-coastal arrangement, which will see an occasional Bears’ home game hosted in North Sydney. 

Mr Sackson says Thursday’s announcement was satisfying for himself and the WA Rugby League community, describing the journey leading to the license’s approval as a ‘rollercoaster.’

“There was about a month ago when things looked pretty dire. I thought the hopes of getting back in for 2027 were looking very unlikely,” he told SportFM.

“Fortunately, Peter V’landys and the Commission, the executive of the NRL and Roger Cook and the government met common ground. They struck a deal that is just fantastic for the game. 

“It’s fantastic for the state of Western Australia, for the economy, and wonderful for our sport. I’m confident that Western Australia’s entry into the NRL is going to really add value, bring a lot of value to the table nationally.” 

Western Australia has demonstrated its appetite for Rugby League throughout the years, with this year’s double-header at Optus Stadium attracting more than 31,000 fans. 

That figure is uncharacteristically low for NRL crowds in WA, with many linking it to fan-led boycotts after Roger Cook accused the League of treating the state like a ‘cash cow.’ 

In 2023, 45,814 people showed up to the double-header, while NRL WA expects the new franchise will attract more than 30,000 members.

Mr Sackson says the franchise will have a positive influence on the growth of the game in WA. 

“There’s no denying that the news from last week has really put the sport of rugby league, particularly here in Western Australia, in the spotlight,” he said. 

“It’s going to have a terrific impact on game development for the years to come. 

“I look at it primarily through a game development lens, I think we’re going to see participation growth, investment growth and just general growth right across the board and more respect for rugby league each day as we get closer to the launch.” 

Rugby League has a 77-year history in Western Australia, with the State Government pledging $65 million in state funding towards the club. 

There are also 240 Rugby League programs run in schools, with State Premier Roger Cook hoping to drive this number to 500 schools. 

Mr Sackson also says he would consider having a role within the Bears, but his ultimate goal is growing the game in WA. 

“I’ve always said that I just want to see the best thing for rugby league. The announcement of the Bears, the Perth franchise, is the thing that has driven me for probably 15 years,” he said. 

“It became very apparent early on in my career with the NRL that the one thing that was going to put rugby league on the map here was an NRL franchise to really supercharge its future and allow it to compete on a more level playing field.” 

“I’d have to consider all options, if not, I’ll continue doing what I’m doing to help grow the game and if that’s the case, working very, very closely with the Perth Bears to really do the right thing for the game here and allow it to flourish.”

IMAGE: NRLWA