A New Era Dawns: Perth Bears Unveil Their Logo, Bridging Past and Future!
The anticipation has been building, and now it's official: the Perth Bears have revealed their logo for their inaugural season in 2027! Coach Mal Meninga is already celebrating the club's powerful connection to its roots, while embracing the energy of Western Australia.
The Perth Bears are set to become the 18th team in the NRL, with a roster already boasting 12 signed players. The new logo and colors pay homage to the rich history of the North Sydney Bears, a nod that's sure to resonate with fans old and new.
But here's where it gets controversial... or at least, a potential source of debate: the merging of two distinct legacies. Meninga highlights the unity between the North Sydney Bears' storied past and the Western Australian rugby league community.
"This is one club, one family, across two coasts," Meninga states. "This Bear honors the proud history of the Bears while embracing the energy of Western Australia."
North Sydney Bears legends like Greg Florimo and Billy Moore have expressed their excitement about the new logo design. Florimo noted, "Great legacies do not disappear, they evolve and I am so excited to see our North Sydney Bear reimagined in WA." Moore added that the logo "represents every player, every supporter, every moment that shaped the Bears."
Former Western Reds star and Panthers premiership winner Mark Geyer also voiced his support. "A new year brings fresh belief," Geyer said. "I’ve witnessed first-hand how rugby league has grown here in the West before and I definitely know what it means when the wonderful state of WA gets behind their sporting team."
Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie emphasizes that the logo is a perfect tribute to the North Sydney Bears while looking forward to the future in Western Australia. "The Perth Bears are a new club; but that will never change the fact that the birthplace and spiritual home of the ‘Bears’ in rugby league will always be North Sydney."
The logo itself was crafted by Dave Carnovale, a dedicated North Sydney Bears supporter and graphic designer. He aimed to create a responsible evolution, preserving the Bears' DNA. Carnovale shared, "This logo represents the restoration of the Bears’ place in the game they helped create, resulting in a timeless symbol that bridges heritage with future-readiness."
Bears Chairman Ben Morton highlighted the growing excitement in Western Australia. "The Perth Bears are a new club but not without history – West Australians get a Western Australian team in the NRL and loyal Bears supporters get the Bears back where they belong in Australia’s greatest sporting competition," Morton said.
What do you think? Does the new logo successfully blend the past and future? Share your thoughts in the comments!
PNG Chiefs Appoint CEO
In other exciting news, the Australian Rugby League Commission has announced the appointment of Lorna McPherson as CEO of the PNG Chiefs. The Chiefs are slated to join the NRL as its 19th team in 2028.
McPherson, who has over a decade of experience in rugby league in Papua New Guinea, previously served as a director of the PNGRFL and the PNG Chiefs. She's also credited with leading the growth of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and establishing the Santos Cup, an elite women's rugby league competition.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM noted, "Securing a leader with a reputation for driving significant commercial growth across business and the elite local Rugby League competitions, along with established connections in PNG is an important step in building a strong administration for the Chiefs."
