THE Central Coast Bears consider the new Crusaders club as a potential ally, rather than a foe, in their quest to join the NRL.
The Crusaders are the product of a partnership between the Newcastle Knights and Country Rugby League and will represent the Central Coast in the NSW Cup competition next year.
As they bide their time hoping for acceptance by the NRL in 2013, the Bears will maintain their presence in the NSW Cup as a feeder team to South Sydney. They have extended this alliance for two more years.
Bears chief executive Greg Florimo said his organisation had hoped to field Central Coast teams in the Harold Matthews (under 16s) and SG Ball (under 18s) NSW Rugby League junior representative competitions next season, but discussions with the CRL had broken down.
Florimo, the former NSW and Australian utility who played a club record 285 first-grade games for North Sydney, said the establishment of the Crusaders "really doesn't affect us . . . and we're still forging ahead with our plans to have an NRL team here by 2013".
"We're all about an NRL franchise. The Newcastle Knights have got theirs and I can't see them relocating to the Central Coast, so once we get the licence granted, the structure underneath will have to be addressed and reassessed," Florimo told The Herald yesterday.
"In between now and then, we're happy for the kids to be involved in quality programs."
Florimo suspected the CRL was considering other alternatives to keep the Central Coast flag flying in NSWRL competitions, but he hoped to build a civil relationship with the Crusaders.
"I don't want to get into the debate over it, to be honest, but I attempted with the CRL to negotiate a pathway for the junior reps through the Central Coast Cubs," he said.
"Just through their silence over the last couple of weeks, I assumed that something was on, that they were negotiating with an NRL club.
"I wasn't sure it was with the Knights but I had my suspicions and look, it's great. It's great to see that there's a pathway for the kids here to be able to realise their dreams and develop their skills and abilities through some quality programs, so that's a good thing."
CRL chief executive Terry Quinn said the Knights would work with Central Coast junior leagues and Crusaders junior teams as part of their deal.
"The Bears have signed a deal with Souths to play NSW Cup there so that doesn't really affect us at all. The only interest the Bears have is trying to get a franchise for 2013, if there is ever going to be another one issued to the Coast or anywhere," Quinn said.
"We're more concerned about keeping the NSW Cup alive on the Coast."
Florimo said the Bears would proceed with their official launch at Erina tomorrow.
Former Knights and Norths international David Fairleigh, who was a Knights lower-grade and assistant coach, has been appointed as the Bears' head of football operations and will be their coach if they join the NRL.
"We look to be ready probably by midway through next year, and by ready I mean having the financial backing to be able to substantiate our bid aiming for 2013," Florimo said.
"Our dialogue with the NRL is that they're not looking at expansion at this stage, but they've obviously met with us a couple of times to discuss our planning. I don't think it's a closed shop. I think the opportunity is there, and we've just got to build it so they can't resist it."
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