Perth Bears bring in a culture consultant amid internal upheaval, while PNG Chiefs celebrate Jarome Luai’s signing.
A major culture shake-up is taking shape at the Perth Bears just as the PNG Chiefs celebrate a fresh headline signing.
While PNG’s expansion side marks the arrival of Jarome Luai. Perth’s NRL-owned club is facing questions about how well its internal teams are aligning as it prepares for entry next year.. Misryoum reports that the Perth board has moved to bring in a consultant focused on building stronger workplace and football department culture.
In Perth, the latest development follows a period of instability that has already spilled into leadership changes. Last week, the franchise’s inaugural general manager of football stepped down after a reported fallout involving senior club figures.
The Bears then outlined a new support program designed to bring its leadership team together. with the board commissioning a psychologist and advisory service to work with the football department and relevant executives.. The aim. according to Misryoum. is to help leaders get to know one another. reflect on individual traits. and develop as a high-performance unit.
This matters because expansion clubs live or die by cohesion. When new leadership and staff are still forming, even small frictions can widen into culture problems that affect decision-making and day-to-day performance.
The board’s message also signals that the initiative is not meant to stay locked within one department.. Misryoum notes the club expects to extend similar support to other teams as they are established. with updates intended for the board on progress and on how leadership at the club can be supported.
Details about the approach include personality-focused assessments and confidential discussions with staff.. With the recent departure of a key internal figure. the Bears’ decision to bring in external expertise may also help clarify whether tensions will persist as the organisation continues to take shape.
Meanwhile, the contrast with the PNG Chiefs is stark.. As the Chiefs present Jarome Luai as their major early statement. the Bears are still building credibility not only on the field but within their own structure.. That backdrop has also kept speculation alive around the stability of the Bears’ football leadership as changes continue behind the scenes.
Misryoum’s takeaway is clear: in competitive sport, culture is not a slogan, it is a system. How the Bears manage the transition now could influence how quickly their football group, executives, and board operate in sync heading into 2027.