RUGBY LEAGUE (Brisbane): The Firehawks today announced their intention to submit a bid to be the NRLs 17th Rugby League team under the proposed expansion for season 2023.
By Dan Kelly for TigerTV.net and Tigers Media
In a press conference held at Easts Leagues Clubs, the consortium led by CEO Brian Torpy outlined the club’s vision and the prospective club’s strategy, which included plans to be an Australian wide club.
RUGBY LEAGUE: “Firehawks will be a team for everyone… the Firehawks experience will be like no other in the NRL today.” Brian Torpy said. “The Firehawks experience while originating in Queensland with a focus on local participation will hold a strong benefit that you can be a Firehawk fan wherever you are.”
Brand consultant and former South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson spoke in the highest regards of the Firehawks bid. Richardson referenced the historical ties the club possesses with over a century of history at Langlands Park alongside the club’s strong financial position.
“This is a club with 105 years of history… they have a great history, and they can beat their chest about their history more than any other club in Queensland.” The press conference was attended by a majority of Brisbane’s sports media fraternity.
The Courier Mail’s chief rugby league writer Peter Badel asked Torpy if the club’s century-long presence was an advantage in his eyes. “We originally started as Coorparoo in 1917 and we became the Eastern Suburbs Tigers in 1933, so this is our 105th year as a football organisation.”
Channel Ten’s Veronica Eggleton asked Shane Richardson why he chose to put his support behind the bid. Richardson referenced his loyalty to the club that stretches back several decades.
“It’s been my club; I coached here, I was chairman of selectors and president, so it was always my club.” Richardson said.
“It was just a great opportunity to be honest… we were astounded by how positive the board was to accepting a changed bid.”
Alongside the Firehawks, two bids based out of Redcliffe and Ipswich are expected to apply to be the 17th franchise.
The successful expansion team is set to enter the competition in the 2023 NRL season and will likely be notified of their successful bid in July.
More details, results and information is available at TheTigers.com.au and NRL.com
Firehawks rugby league press conference welcome to country introduction -Easts Leagues Club
Firehawks rugby league press conference Stephen Bullow speaking -Easts Leagues Club
Firehawks rugby league press conference Brian Torpy speaking -Easts Leagues Club
Firehawks rugby league press conference Brent Richardson speaking -Easts Leagues Club
Firehawks rugby league press conference Shane Richardson speaking -Easts Leagues Club
