Perth Bears CEO Unveils Bold Singapore Strategy for NRL Growth
The newly established Perth Bears, set to join Australia's National Rugby League in 2027, have announced ambitious plans to extend their reach beyond Australian shores. In an exclusive interview, chief executive Anthony De Ceglie revealed that the team is actively exploring opportunities to play matches in Singapore, positioning it as a strategic move to capitalise on Perth's unique geographical advantages.
Strategic Time Zone Advantage
De Ceglie emphasised that Perth's location in what he describes as the "economic Asian powerhouse time zone" provides significant commercial opportunities. "We are in a very different time zone to Sydney and Melbourne," he explained. "This positioning is really handy for us, not just for accessing the east coast market by playing late games, but also for taking the game into Asia, which could be huge."
The CEO drew parallels with the NRL's successful venture into Las Vegas, suggesting Singapore could serve as "the Perth version of Las Vegas" for the Australian rugby league. This vision aligns with NRL commissioner Peter V'landys's broader strategy to establish global dominance in rugby league, which has included exploring investment in England's Super League and organising season-opening weekends in the United States.
Expanding NRL Footprint
The Perth Bears will become the first new team to join the NRL since the Dolphins entered the competition in 2023. Their arrival in 2027 will be followed by a team from Papua New Guinea the following season, expanding the league to 19 teams. This expansion occurs against a backdrop of Australia's federal government seeking to strengthen influence in the Pacific region.
De Ceglie expressed strong confidence in the NRL's leadership, particularly praising V'landys's approach. "They are very impressive," he stated. "They always think about what's good for the game and what's good for the viewer. I can't imagine them doing anything that isn't going to, at its heart, maintain those two goals."
Cross-League Developments
The growing international connections within rugby league provide context for the Perth Bears' Singapore ambitions. Last year's historic Ashes series between Australia and England - the first in two decades - demonstrated how the Super League and NRL could collaborate effectively. Furthermore, Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer recently led an Australian consortium to purchase English Championship side London Broncos, with aspirations to see them promoted to the Super League.
While De Ceglie declined to comment on whether the NRL and Super League should become financially integrated, he emphasised the Perth Bears' commitment to playing home games both on Australia's west coast and in Sydney. "We're the most watched sporting code in Australia and we have a monopoly on it in Western Australia," he noted. "It's a pretty easy selling point, but we're capitalising on the growth of the game. We're very lucky to be doing that."
The Perth Bears' Singapore proposal represents the latest chapter in rugby league's ongoing international expansion efforts, with the team poised to leverage its geographical position to create new commercial opportunities and broaden the sport's global appeal.
