Mal Meninga invites Triple M WA listeners to contribute to the Perth Bears’ identity

Rugby League Immortal Mal Meninga joined Triple M Western Australia‘s Robbie Von and Carly Portch to share his vision and excitement for the Perth Bears NRL Team and to invite listeners to get on board now. Mal was appointed coach of the team earlier this year. The Bears enter the comp in 2027.

Mal: “We want to work alongside the community and to give it a bit of a face. Part of that journey is about building respect in the sporting and the community themselves.

We’re investing in a lifestyle and a way of life they’ll buy into – and want to stay over here. We want the Bears to thrive in the West Australian community.

Underpinning everything is around rugby league in WA. We want to establish our junior development pathways. So a young fella, young person – boy or girl – stays in their own community. They can play rugby league at the elite level. That’s the ultimate aim. We’ve got to build a foundation, get the pillars right. We’re starting to move staff and employ staff from the local community as well, which is really important. We want to buy into this. It’s big. All our feeder, affiliate, development partner clubs have been established.

Next year’s important to us. We’ll have nearly a roster done, I’m told, halfway through next year. Hopefully, we’ll be set up in a new training facility – hopefully at the WACA – and get that all established.”

Mal also was open to the idea of creating a unique victory song with help from the local community and Triple M WA listeners.

Robbie & Carly can be heard across Regional WA on Triple M from 6-9am weekdays and also on LiSTNR.