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Big Bears Podcast
Peter Cumins: A lifetime of League
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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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Mal Meninga: Why Mal’s recruiting international big bears and what makes a marquee?
28:26|Representing your country is the highest honour in the game. Find out why Mal Meninga has so far recruited three England internationals all from Leeds. The coach explains the strategy behind formulating our inaugural trailblazing squad and addresses what attributes he looks for in a marquee footballer. Mal also answers a series of questions from you in bite back!Greg Florimo: North Sydney history, running over Mal Meninga and a new book!
15:35|Rugby League is built on legends, and they don't come much bigger than Greg Florimo. On today's Big Bears Podcast, Flo takes us back to the golden era at North Sydney Oval, including the day he invited the entire crowd onto the field after beating Manly and on-field hits with Mal Meninga. But it’s not all nostalgia. Greg gives us an exclusive look at his upcoming book and why the "Perth Bears" will be a "powerhouse" from day one.Mark Arena: Wildcats, NBL and sport in WA
19:48|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.Billy Moore: The Bears, State of Origin, and 2026 NRL predictions
19:53|Billy Moore - the Bear, the Queenslander and now restaurateur joins us on the pod this week!We dive into his storied career in Rugby League, the "Queenslander" spirit, and what you should order at his prize-winning restaurant. Plus, Billy gives us his bold prediction for the 2026 season winner.Want to ask a question on Big Bears Podcast? Drop it in the comments below!Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.Christina Matthews: Making an NRL dynasty in WA
28:22|This week, we sit down with Hall of Fame cricketer, former CEO of WA Cricket, and Perth Bears Board Member, Christina Matthews to discuss her career in sport (on and off the field!), the mindset for creating winners and her role in bringing players over!Want to ask a question on Big Bears Podcast? Drop it in the comments below!Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.David Sharpe: Inside the Perth Bears Recruitment Strategy
14:42|David Sharpe, GM of Football, joins the pod to pull back the curtain on the Perth Bears' recruitment strategy. Plus, we answer some of your questions on our ‘Bite Back’ Q&A segment!Want to ask a question on Big Bears Podcast? Drop it in the comments below!Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.Matt Fuller: Western Reds, advice for our players and WA talent pathways
16:39|Most memorable try? Running out at the iconic WACA ground? Matt ‘Sheep’ Fuller opens up about his playing career for the Western Reds and offers advice for players moving to WA for our 2027 season.Want to ask a question on Big Bears Podcast? Drop it in the comments below!Big Bears Podcast is brought to you by Cash Converters and is available wherever you get your podcasts.Ian Millward: Building our Elite Pathways
18:39|Rugby League legend and Perth Bears Elite Pathways Manager Ian Millward joins us on Big Bears Podcast, brought to you by Cash Converters. From scouting talent and building elite pathways for junior players, it is all covered in this week’s episode.Want to ask us a question? Drop it in the comments below!Big Bears Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts.