Perth Bears prepare debut as local league builds momentum ahead of NRL entry

The new Perth Bears franchise will unveil its jersey this weekend, marking the final NRL match in the city before the team joins the competition next season.

The Perth Bears, an upcoming NRL expansion side, will reveal their playing strip this weekend alongside the Melbourne versus Manly match, the final top-level game in Perth before the club’s inaugural season next year. The franchise has assembled a 27-player squad and is entering a local league that has expanded from five to nine first-grade teams, driven by volunteers and community passion. Former NRL and Super League player Samisoni Langi, now living in Perth, describes the dedication of clubs like South Perth Lions and the recent rise of the Kalamanda Bulldogs.

He stresses that success will depend more on community engagement and school outreach than on marquee signings. Coach Nelson Davis points to the Bears’ grassroots roots, citing the Willagee Bears’ rapid rise to a first-grade premiership and strong volunteer base as a model for sustainability. High-profile visits from NRL figures such as Mal Meninga are already boosting local interest, suggesting the Bears could become a lasting fixture in Western Australia’s sporting landscape.