Big Bears Podcast

Welcome to the latest episode of the Big Bears Podcast, thanks to Cash Converters!

This week, host Ollie Peterson sits down with Brisbane Tigers CEO Mitch Cook to dissect our exciting new feeder club partnership. We explore how to win over an AFL town, get the latest launch details for the Bears Tracks Academy QLD this July, and look at the pathway talent heading to Perth for the 2027 preseason.

Drop your questions below for our next community Biteback session!

Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

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This week on Big Bears Podcast, we sit down with North Sydney Bears CEO Gareth Holmes to discuss the heritage ties between the North Sydney and Perth Bears.

Gareth speaks about the official announcement of the Perth Bears one year ago and why North Sydney Oval will become a vital "home away from home" for the Perth Bears in 2027. We dive deep into the strategic partnership between our two clubs, explaining how we’ve officially removed the "dead ends" in the junior system to create a truly elite pathway from Coast-to-Coast.

Have a question you want the club to answer? Drop it in the comments!

Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we sat down with Perth Bears Assistant Coach and Toa Samoa Head Coach, Ben Gardiner. Fresh off back-to-back 23’ and 24’ Premierships at Penrith, Ben breaks down the "contemporary coaching" philosophy he is bringing to Western Australia.

He dives into recruitment, his career and coaching the Toa Samoa team - this is a masterclass in what it takes to be a trailblazer in the NRL.

Have a question you want the club to answer? Drop it in the comments!

Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie back in the studio for the first Bite-Back special episode. From memberships, to jerseys, to why our Mascot is named Kodi - Anthony answers some of your burning questions.

Have one of your own? Drop it in the comments!

Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Big Bears Podcast, we are joined by the man tasked with one of the biggest jobs in Australian sport: Player Recruitment Manager Dane Campbell.

Dane talks about his playing career, his time working for the Storm and Cowboys, to building a long-term recruitment strategy for the Bears. He also answers some of your questions in our ‘Bite Back’ segment.

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We caught up with Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly ahead of their Perth home game at the Double Header last weekend.

For the last 20 years, the Rabbitohs have long been supporters of bringing NRL to WA. Now, as we prepare to enter the arena in 2027, Blake opens up about the shared history, the effect of NRL expansion, and why the game isn't truly national without a team in Perth.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat to Mark Arena, the tech entrepreneur turned owner of the Perth Wildcats, to discuss what it takes to build a sporting powerhouse in Western Australia.

As the Perth Bears prepare for their 2027 NRL debut, Mark shares the "community-first" philosophy that turned the Wildcats into the hottest ticket in town. From the importance of school visits to the power of a unified identity, this is a masterclass in building a sports legacy that lasts generations.

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Meet the man leading the charge for the NRL in WA: Peter Cumins joins the podcast this week!

Perth Bears Board Member, Executive Deputy Chairman of Cash Converters and a long-time champion of rugby league, Peter has been the backbone of the game’s growth in WA for years.

In this episode, we dive into his childhood and what led him to become such a die-hard supporter of the game. Peter opens up candidly on the long, determined journey toward finally securing an NRL team in Western Australia, sharing the grit and persistence required behind the scenes.

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