How Quickly We Forget - Big Steve's Red and Black Site

How Quickly We Forget
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 6/12/03

The NRL has finally made it official that we are to have a 16^th team added to the NRL. The “News” papers are suggesting it will be The Gold Coast. But I think a few reminders are in order.

1/Before the Bears were left out of the competition the NRL fully supported and encouraged the relocation to the Central Coast. The then NRL CEO attended numerus meetings both members meetings and board meetings in an effort to convince them to relocate before the criteria came down. Mr Whittaker actually said at a members meeting that if the Bears relocated they would be guaranteed a licence.

2/The NRL fully encouraged and supported the building of Gosford stadium. The Bears contributed 6 million dollars to the construction. Gosford Council and the Government have also contributed millions. Apart from the Northern Eagles no other full time high profile team has utilised the stadium.

3/John Singleton has been constantly talking to the NRL and the partnership committee about a Central Coast Bears since the Northern Eagles demise and long before the Gold Coast started its push.

4/Dispite the NRL wanting to write it off as sentimental dribble people still care about the Bears and would support a Bears team.

5/Super League’s grand plan of a national competition full of theoretical national teams replacing the tradition teams almost destroyed Rugby League. It’s time to consider what really make Rugby League (the history and tradition) and to start treating it as important to the future of Rugby League. Introducing a Central Coast Bears would be a good start.

BIG-STEVE