West Coast Pirates based in Perth , Western Australia.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WARLPirates
Twitter: @WARLPirates
Website : http://westcoastpirates.com.au/
Another bid I love. I’m actually a member of the Pirates. I got a ball and a hat and some other stuff. There is no Rugby league team there. They have AFL , Cricket , Basketball and soccer. It’s time we got our foot in the door. It’s important that we realize Western Reds didn’t really fail. They had no assistant from the ARL and came into the fold at a time were even the big clubs struggled.
WA Rugby league chairman David Hobbs likes to put emphasis on the fact that Reds didn’t fail. “Back then we had 18,000 registered members and an average crowd at the WACA of 17,500. We also had to pay for flights and accommodation of visiting teams, which was just ridiculous. And since then we've had a massive influx of people from strong league states which take up permanent residency in WA from Queensland, NSW, New Zealand and the UK”
You can read more about what he had to say a few years ago here :
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nrl/perth-based-nrl-team-would-provide-huge-windfall-chairman/story-fn7shzfu-1226028730783
A team in Western Australia would be great for the game. It can’t be the national competition with teams only on one coast. It would bring big money into the local economy and would expand the coverage of Rugby league.
The Pirates want to provide a better opportunity to youngsters passionate in the game. Currently there is only so far they can go before they have to move to the East coast and find a team in QLD, NSW etc. If they are successful with their bid the Pirates will be supporting junior and indigenous development through game mentoring programs throughout Western Australia .They are aiming to be one of the top 5 recognized and respected sporting brands in Australia by 2020*.
Click on the link below. To find out more about the Pirates and their plan*:
http://westcoastpirates.com.au/the-pirates-plan/
I really think they are one of the stronger bids. They offer a new area for league to conquer a whole state dying to be infected with the rugby league bug. They would be aiming for a 13-15 k crowd on average but if they do get a great team together I reckon they can easily sell out nib stadium week after week. Plus they have one of the coolest names and logos.
Link below shows Western Reds average crowds:
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/MjMtLS0tLTMyLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ