REPORTS in Australia have revealed that the Perth Bears, who will enter the NRL competition next year, have signed Wallabies legend David Campese to help with their recruitment as they aim to target rugby union players in South Africa as a potential source of talent.
The club plans to establish a Rugby League Academy in South Africa in a five-year project. The Bears aim to bring players into their pathways as they develop, with the aim of bringing them into consideration for their NRL squad.
“South Africa consistently generates more professional-calibre rugby players than its domestic franchises can fill and Perth is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this with direct travel alongside an already well-established South African community in Perth,” Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said.
“The absolute key for the Perth Bears is to create a sustainable long-term pathway from South Africa to Perth – building on our Bears Tracks Academy blueprint.”
The ARLC owns the Perth Bears, and its Chairman Peter V’landys is understood to be pushing the strategy, while he also identified Campese as the person to head it up.
V’landys said: “South Africa has always had big, skilful rugby players. I have always believed you could procure a couple of their marquee players who would adapt to Rugby League. It not only brings new exciting talent and a new dimension into our game, but a new market in South Africa, as South African Rugby fans will follow their journey.”
Perth have also announced Gareth Holmes, the current chief executive of North Sydney Bears, as their general manager.
Holmes has held senior management roles at Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury Bulldogs.