FAns vote for Perth!

19 Where should the next NRL
expansion team be located?
Perth 34%
Brisbane 8%
Central Coast 33%
New Zealand 3%
Central Queensland 9%
South East Queensland 4%
Port Moresby 6%
Other 2%

resources.news.com.au/files/2012 ... esults.pdf

FAns vote for Perth!

19 Where should the next NRL
expansion team be located?
Perth 34%
Brisbane 8%
Central Coast 33%
New Zealand 3%
Central Queensland 9%
South East Queensland 4%
Port Moresby 6%
Other 2%

resources.news.com.au/files/2012 ... esults.pdf

Pirates continue fight for a team

WA rugby league fans could receive a consolation prize after doubts were cast over NRL expansion this week, with more home-and-away fixtures and a Test match on the cards for Perth over the next few years.

WARL chief executive John Sackson said the local body remained hopeful its West Coast Pirates bid would be part of NRL expansion plans sooner rather than later, despite grim news from the east following the announcement of the league's new broadcast deal.

Nine Network head David Gyngell this week questioned the value of having the extra game created by expansion for either the broadcasters or the competition.

But Sackson revealed a potential short-term boost for the code in WA, with the Australian Rugby League Commission considering bringing up to three NRL home-and-away games to Perth next year.

South Sydney have a year to run on their deal to bring games to WA and the Kangaroos could also make an appearance, with Perth being considered for Test matches.

"They've identified WA as a key priority market for development," Sackson said. "We've been told that and that's been clearly conveyed to us by the commission.

"I think the fact that they're now looking at three games here next year is a reflection of that."

Sackson said the WARL would work on its NRL bid until told expansion was completely off the table.

"We really believe in what we we're doing and we've got a strategic vision for the game long-term," Sackson said.

"Part and parcel of that is the strengthening of the game at the grassroots level and part of that strategic vision is one day having an NRL franchise.

"Whether that be achieved in five years or whenever, we know it's inevitable that a team will come back to this town. We genuinely believe that and it just makes sense.

"If someone came out and said we have to wait five years, sure, we'd be somewhat disappointed that it wasn't a little sooner. But it wouldn't dilute our resolve.

"Any delays in getting that opportunity would be put to good use in strengthening the grass roots, government support, corporate support and community engagement."



au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... or-a-team/

Pirates continue fight for a team

WA rugby league fans could receive a consolation prize after doubts were cast over NRL expansion this week, with more home-and-away fixtures and a Test match on the cards for Perth over the next few years.

WARL chief executive John Sackson said the local body remained hopeful its West Coast Pirates bid would be part of NRL expansion plans sooner rather than later, despite grim news from the east following the announcement of the league's new broadcast deal.

Nine Network head David Gyngell this week questioned the value of having the extra game created by expansion for either the broadcasters or the competition.

But Sackson revealed a potential short-term boost for the code in WA, with the Australian Rugby League Commission considering bringing up to three NRL home-and-away games to Perth next year.

South Sydney have a year to run on their deal to bring games to WA and the Kangaroos could also make an appearance, with Perth being considered for Test matches.

"They've identified WA as a key priority market for development," Sackson said. "We've been told that and that's been clearly conveyed to us by the commission.

"I think the fact that they're now looking at three games here next year is a reflection of that."

Sackson said the WARL would work on its NRL bid until told expansion was completely off the table.

"We really believe in what we we're doing and we've got a strategic vision for the game long-term," Sackson said.

"Part and parcel of that is the strengthening of the game at the grassroots level and part of that strategic vision is one day having an NRL franchise.

"Whether that be achieved in five years or whenever, we know it's inevitable that a team will come back to this town. We genuinely believe that and it just makes sense.

"If someone came out and said we have to wait five years, sure, we'd be somewhat disappointed that it wasn't a little sooner. But it wouldn't dilute our resolve.

"Any delays in getting that opportunity would be put to good use in strengthening the grass roots, government support, corporate support and community engagement."



au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... or-a-team/

West Coast Pirates still hope dreams of NRL not sunk by TV deal

THE West Coast Pirates are confident the door is not shut on a WA team joining the National Rugby League despite this week's announcement expansion was not a key factor in the signing of a new a new $1.025 billion television deal for a 16-team competition.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant declared no value was placed on expansion during negotiations of the new five-year arrangement with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

Despite campaigns by two WA franchises - the Pirates and a consortium led by Ben Elias and backed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage - as well as three Queensland suitors, Grant and Nine boss David Gyngell said it was unlikely to become an 18-team league any time soon.

West Australian Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said while it wasn't what the Pirates wanted to hear it was important to note that Grant said the announcement "didn't negate" the prospect of expansion.

"Firstly I would like to congratulate the ARLC and all involved in negotiating such an outstanding result for rugby league," he said.

"The closure of this deal will now no doubt make way for other key decisions to be made which will seriously impact on the future development, growth and prosperity for the game in the face of aggressive competition from other major sports.

"Having said that, the West Coast Pirates and other contenders are still no wiser in regards to the prospect of expansion in coming years.

"We will anxiously await for the ARLC to articulate their strategic vision for the game and how WA will feature in that vision.

"We would expect to hear more hopefully in September and we remain confident that Perth presents as a very appealing, if not irresistible expansion option.

"With their new Whole of Game approach, we look forward to how the Commission's hard earned financial windfall will impact on not just the prospect of a WA NRL franchise, but importantly on the injection of greater resources and initiatives that will help fuel the ongoing development and growth of the code at a grassroots and community level in this state."

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/w ... 6456042119

West Coast Pirates still hope dreams of NRL not sunk by TV deal

THE West Coast Pirates are confident the door is not shut on a WA team joining the National Rugby League despite this week's announcement expansion was not a key factor in the signing of a new a new $1.025 billion television deal for a 16-team competition.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant declared no value was placed on expansion during negotiations of the new five-year arrangement with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

Despite campaigns by two WA franchises - the Pirates and a consortium led by Ben Elias and backed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage - as well as three Queensland suitors, Grant and Nine boss David Gyngell said it was unlikely to become an 18-team league any time soon.

West Australian Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said while it wasn't what the Pirates wanted to hear it was important to note that Grant said the announcement "didn't negate" the prospect of expansion.

"Firstly I would like to congratulate the ARLC and all involved in negotiating such an outstanding result for rugby league," he said.

"The closure of this deal will now no doubt make way for other key decisions to be made which will seriously impact on the future development, growth and prosperity for the game in the face of aggressive competition from other major sports.

"Having said that, the West Coast Pirates and other contenders are still no wiser in regards to the prospect of expansion in coming years.

"We will anxiously await for the ARLC to articulate their strategic vision for the game and how WA will feature in that vision.

"We would expect to hear more hopefully in September and we remain confident that Perth presents as a very appealing, if not irresistible expansion option.

"With their new Whole of Game approach, we look forward to how the Commission's hard earned financial windfall will impact on not just the prospect of a WA NRL franchise, but importantly on the injection of greater resources and initiatives that will help fuel the ongoing development and growth of the code at a grassroots and community level in this state."

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/w ... 6456042119