WA Reds enter SG Ball Cup in 2010
1st September 2009
After two years in the NSW based Bundaberg Cup the WA Reds will now change strategic direction as they position themselves for an NRL franchise bid by focusing on the SG Ball under 18’s competition, according to WARL Chairman Geoff Baldwin. “The logistical and structural experience gained over the past two seasons has been invaluable and we have learnt an enormous amount about what’s involved with a Perth based team playing in a National competition however it is now time to take the next step focusing on our younger players”, Mr Baldwin said. “If we are serious about providing a career path for our local players whereby they can be part of our inaugural WA based NRL side in 2013 then we must start by exposing them to the higher level sooner rather than later. “From next season the WA Reds will cease playing in the Bundaberg Cup and will instead kick off in the National under 18 SG Ball Competition which is a recognised stepping stone into the NRL. “In our view, expansion of the NRL competition by another two teams is inevitable and following the success of recent NRL games hosted in Perth and the solid structures we have set in place we would be very confident of being serious participants in the bidding process. “We intend to ensure we are prepared and an important component of that is the preparation of local players who can be serious contenders by season 2013 which is likely to be when the League expands. “We also believe this decision will leave our local senior competition in a much stronger position that it was before the current Reds and we are confident that we will now also attract many younger players from NSW and QLD as they see WA being a clearer pathway to the NRL. “It is our intention to run a substantial academy with between 40 and 50 participants from whom we will select our SG Ball side however this initiative will also strengthen our WA State Representative teams and breathe new life into our 16s and 18s competition locally.