North Sydney Bears Chairman Perry Lopez has come out swinging at the NRL saying the foundation club wasn’t even notified of the proposed blueprint from the NRL or the ramifications the ‘Platinum League’ would have on a club like the Bears.

In the proposal, the NSW Cup would be replaced and the Sydney clubs broken up into larger merged entities forcing players from NRL clubs to drop down and play with rival players. This would mean the end for the proud North Sydney club who have survived through many setbacks since their inception in 1908.

“How can a governing body with apparently massive resources, huge budgets and the ultimate brains trust produce a blueprint and not have the thought process to come and discuss the part that pertains to a grass roots community that is also a Foundation 1908 club that supports itself, it’s juniors and propagates the game of rugby league with little assistance from the NRL” Lopez said via Norths’ Facebook page.

“Why is this the way forward, just because someone thinks the name Platinum League sounds great doesn’t mean it makes any sense.

“We have a heritage that is deserved of more. We have been told on the record that the Bears will be a part of the NSW Cup forever.

“Greg Florimo and myself were there to hear this and we will be making a formal public response shortly and officially placing this on the record.”