As the Perth Bears gear up for their NRL debut in just eleven months, they are laying the groundwork for their junior pathways.
Countless hours spent analyzing match footage, engaging with parents, and visiting junior clubs throughout Western Australia have led to a promising outcome: 20 of the state's top young players have been selected for the Bears' inaugural Bear Tracks academy.
These talented individuals, who could have easily been drawn away by competing sports or clubs, now have an opportunity worth pursuing.
There is finally a pathway leading to success.
The six-year timeline aims to nurture and stabilize Western Australian talent, allowing players to pursue their dreams rather than risking it all in larger cities like Sydney or Brisbane.
Recently, the Perth Bears launched Bear Tracks, marking the start of a blueprint intended to develop local NRL talent by 2031.
The selected group of 20 players, aged between 14 and 17, showcases some of WA's best young athletes.
These players will undergo rigorous training and development, preparing them to compete in the SG Ball competition in 2029, followed by Harold Matthews in 2030, and ultimately stepping into NRL environments by 2031.
In a conversation with CODE Sports, Ian Millward, Head of Pathways, along with head coach Mal Meninga and assistant coach Ben Gardiner, discussed their strategic focus on this specific age group.