Central Coast Bears NRL Bid Launch
24th November 2009
South Sydney reserve grade affiliate club the North Sydney Bears officially launched their bid for readmission into the NRL. The Cenral Coast Bears Limited have established their home at Erina; secured a major sponsor, launched an interactive website and commenced a membership drive. Key components that appropriately position the Central Coast Bears bid for inclusion in the 2013 NRL Premiership. Bears CEO Greg Florimo today launched the Central Coast Bears Limited at the Fortunity Building, Central Coast Highway, Erina.
“There are many compelling reasons for a Central Coast team in the NRL,” said Mr Florimo. “The team will represent a population catchment of over one million people; it has the third largest junior league in NSW, plus a purpose-built playing arena in Gosford – the magnificent Bluetongue Stadium.” The club’s two major business partners – Mortgage House and Fortunity – were both in attendance as were community and business leaders from the region. "The Central Coast Bears are elated to have forged a business partnership with Fortunity,” said Mr Florimo. “The provision of integrated business and financial advice, along with first class office facilities at Erina ensures the Bears have a home on the Central Coast. Our aim to have a National Rugby League franchise based out of Bluetongue Stadium at Gosford is greatly enhanced by our partnership with Fortunity. “The Bears and Fortunity share a similar vision and commitment to excellence which will no doubt ensure the Central Coast Bears are again a part of the NRL.”
Fortunity Director Paul Bolton explained why his firm agreed to partner the Central Coast Bears in their quest to return to the NRL based at Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium. “Fortunity is supporting the Central Coast Bears with their bid because we support the vision of a united Central Coast community with its own identity,” said Mr Bolton. “The Central Coast community deserves their very own NRL team. “Sharing our facilities, our resources and providing our business expertise made sense. “We wanted to be with the Bears from the very beginning. We are here to assist the Central Coast Bears in any way we can.”
The Central Coast Bears have signed a multi-million dollar sponsorship with leading non bank lender Mortgage House of Australia, which will underwrite the fledgling club’s bid for an NRL licence in 2013. The five-year contract has an extension clause, and is one of the most lucrative club sponsorships in the game. "Our partnership with Mortgage House, a major Australian brand, shows they want to be part of this journey … an NRL licence for the Central Coast Bears,” said Mr Florimo. Mortgage House Managing Director Ken Sayer admits one of the major attractions of linking with the Central Coast Bears is the opportunity to work with the club and its operations from the outset. “We've been involved in sports sponsorship before but we've never been there from ground zero, it has always been established clubs,” said Mr Sayer. “Mortgage House has a long association with Rugby League, but this is the first time we have been involved from the inception stage,” said Mr Sayer. “It is exceptional to see the community and corporate entities, alike, backing the bid and really getting involved at all levels. “There is a greater sense of achievement, the satisfaction of seeing a project grow from the beginning and come to fruition. “We will be able to say that we were there from day one.”
North Sydney Bears, will continue to run, U/16s(harold Matts) U/18s (SG Ball) and NSW Cup out of North Sydney Oval as the NS Bears. The Central Coast, will have it's own Harold Matts U/16s and SG Ball U/18s sides, playing out of Mingarra. The NRL side will be the Central Coast Bears, and the Toyota cup side (U/20s)will be the Central Coast Bears. North Sydney Bears NSW cup side will be the reserve grade side to the Central Coast Bears.. Both areas will feed into the toyota cup side and the NRL side known as the Central Coast Bears and wearing the colours of Red and Black.