Mal Meninga has been officially named as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, a pivotal move set to ignite rugby league in Western Australia. This appointment signifies meninga’s return to club coaching after a 25-year hiatus, signaling a major shift for the sport. The Perth Bears are slated to enter the NRL in 2027, and Meninga’s leadership is seen as crucial for establishing the new franchise. His extensive experience and celebrated career make him the ideal figure to build a competitive team from scratch,according to league officials. This exciting development not only expands the NRL but also aims to boost rugby league’s presence in a region. Read this breaking news and many more stories on News Directory 3.Discover what’s next for the Perth Bears with Meninga at the helm.
Mal Meninga to Lead Perth Bears in NRL Expansion
Updated June 06, 2025
Rugby league immortal Mal Meninga will take the reins as head coach of the Perth Bears, the newest franchise in the National Rugby League. The move aims to boost the sport’s profile in Western Australia, a region dominated by Australian Rules Football. Meninga’s appointment on a three-year deal marks his return to club coaching after a quarter-century absence.
Meninga, 64, has resigned from his position as coach of the Australian Test team. He will focus on building a competitive team for the Bears’ inaugural NRL season in 2027. The Perth Bears represent a notable step in NRL expansion.
“This is one of the most exciting challenges of my career,” Meninga said. “To have the prospect to take our great game back to Western Australia to start a new team and to bring with it a much-loved rugby league community and heritage brand in the Bears.”
He added that he views his role as a “great privilege and obligation” and looks forward to “getting stuck into the work that needs to be done to deliver a team that represents WA and is competitive from day one.”
Peter V’landys, head of the Australian Rugby League Commission, hailed Meninga as “the ideal man to lead the game to a new frontier.” He emphasized Meninga’s extensive experience and success at all levels of rugby league.
“There are vrey few who have graced our game who can match Mal Meninga’s record of success,” V’landys said.
Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie lauded Meninga’s leadership. He called him the “perfect coach to build a brand new team from the ground up.”
“I’m sure NRL fans in Perth and in North Sydney will join me in welcoming him with open arms,” De Ceglie said. “He is an icon whose leadership qualities such as courage, honesty and hard work are rightly renowned across the country.”
What’s next
Meninga will immediately begin assembling a roster and developing a strategy to ensure the Perth Bears are competitive when they enter the NRL in 2027, marking a new era for rugby league in Western Australia.
