Perth Bears Rugby Launch Sparks Membership Confusion With Gay Men's Club

The announcement of the new NRL team, the Perth Bears, has caused significant confusion among fans who mistakenly signed up for Bears Perth, a gay men's social club established in the 1990s. Bears Perth has issued multiple clarifications emphasizing that they are not affiliated with the rugby league club and have had to manually handle and refund many mistaken membership applications, some from interstate. The term 'bear' in gay culture refers to a man with a larger, hairier physique, which adds to the misunderstanding given the rugby team's name. Meanwhile, the Perth Bears rugby club is preparing to enter the NRL in 2027, with expectations of a strong local fanbase potentially numbering 30,000 members in its first season. The club has recently appointed Anthony De Ceglie as CEO and is in the process of establishing its board and coaching staff. Despite the mix-up, Bears Perth president Kingsley Dawes welcomed the idea of rugby fans visiting their social club, underscoring an open and friendly attitude amidst the confusion.