Memberships, marquee players and a new logo.
Perth Bears director James Bracey has declared these three pillars will be at the top of the agenda when the new Perth Bears board meets for the first time in coming weeks.
“I think we need to get our membership base rolling, which means obviously rolling out membership options for fans,” Bracey said.
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Bracey, the popular Nine TV host, is a lifelong North Sydney Bears fan and played a key part of the Bears finding a way back to the NRL via the Perth franchise.
Wide World of Sports host James Bracey in his role as part of Nine’s NRL coverage. Getty
He said his role on the board, along with former federal treasurer Joe Hockey and North Sydney Bears chairman Daniel Dickson, was to represent the east coast side of the new club.
“We, of course, will be flying the flag for the Bears side of things,” he said.
Bracey was always destined to be a Bears fan. His father and grandfather were Bears diehards and, naturally, that passion passed onto him.
“You know what it’s like, you’re born into a rugby league family, you’ve got to support the team,” he said.
“So we would go down from the Central Coast every weekend when there was a home game, sometimes even venture to Brookvale Oval if we were brave enough to watch them try and beat Manly.”
When the Bears were kicked out of the NRL at the end of the 1999 season, many fans like Bracey’s father were lost to the game.
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“When the Bears went, Dad went and he moved to rugby union… I’d keep watching the union and go to Waratahs games, but I was always a league fan too.”
But now Bears fans finally have a team to cheer for again. Bracey is determined to make sure the North Sydney side of the venture is well represented.
“Obviously the red, the black and the bear, they are in the constitution,” he said.
“They will be a part of this Bears team.”
Bracey is also excited about the NRL going back into foreign territory in Perth.
“I personally believe Perth needs a team,” he said.
“I think it’s obvious, if you’re talking about money and financial support for a franchise, it’s over there.
“I think the success of State of Origin over there and the amount of locals that are going to it, we’re packing out a 60,000 seat stadium over there… I think the only risk there is that Perth’s viability would depend on success immediately.”
He thinks the Bears and Perth are the perfect match.
Newly announced Perth Bears head coach Mal Meninga poses with inaugural club CEO Anthony De Ceglie. Getty
“If you want a Perth team, the Bears provide that safeguard because they give them that fan base that every away game on the east coast will essentially end up being like a home game because Bears fans will be there,” he said.
“And I can’t even imagine if one of the local teams on the east coast takes them to Central Coast Stadium.
“That would be a mistake because Bears fans would be heading there in droves as well, which if it was the Perth Pirates, you wouldn’t get that support.”
Bracey wants the club to be successful from year one. He understands the challenges the club will face with recruiting players, but he says player agents have already reached out to him.
“I’ve already had people knocking on my door,” he said.
“I never thought I’d be getting calls from player agents.
“There are players who are keen to get over there and be a part of the franchise. So I’m confident that we can make it happen.
“Success for us is putting a decent team on the paddock in round one, a team that can compete from day dot.”
Juggling commitments between being a board member and being an NRL TV host will be a new challenge for Bracey, but he says he’s up for it and won’t let bias get in the way.
“My job has always been to keep it neutral,” he said.
“I will remain neutral even with this.
“We’ll have some fun with it along the way. I have no doubt I’ll cop a bit of stick when we’re recruiting players, etcetera, but I’d like to think I’ve learned the ropes enough to be able to step around a few landmines along the way.”
The Bears will be able to start signing players from November 1 this year for their inaugural 2027 season.