The Perth Bears have signed their first West Australian teenager.
The milestone moment comes with Zane Murray joining the NRL club through the Perth Bears Tracks Academy.
Murray has always dreamed of playing in the NRL.
And now he is one step closer after agreeing to a three-year Elite Emerging contract with the Perth Bears.
The 15-year-old will spend one month training with the North Sydney Bears pathways program in January before returning to Western Australia to continue his development.
Murray started playing rugby league with the Rockingham Sharks at age five before moving to the Kwinana Titans at 12.
The young fullback's side has reached the past three grand finals, winning the past two. Murray was named Man of the Match in both wins.
Earlier this month at this year's Under-15s NRL WA Junior Grand Final, he was presented with his Man of the Match award by star Perth Bears recruit and Australian International Gehamat Shibasaki.
Murray has also represented Western Australia at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships for the past two years.
Perth Bears Head Coach Mal Meninga and General Manager of Football Gareth Holmes visited Murray's Secret Harbour home for his historic contract signing.
"I was really excited to see Mal at the front door," Murray said.
"I had no idea he was coming. It was awesome for him to hand me the contract to sign.
"I am really excited for the opportunity. Being in the Tracks Academy has really helped me develop my game, where I have learned about giving 100 per cent at every training session and not leaving anything in the tank.
"When I heard about the Perth Bears, I knew it was my chance to live out my dream of playing in the NRL."
On training with North Sydney next year, Murray said he was looking forward to testing himself against higher-level opposition.
"I really want to see where I am at in terms of my physicality and fitness against the North Sydney boys. I am very excited about it," Murray said.
Meninga said Murray's signing showed the club's commitment to developing rugby league talent in Western Australia.
"Growing the game in WA isn't just about bringing players in from other states — it's about finding and developing talent right here at home," Meninga said.
"Zane is a perfect example of that. He's a young man with genuine ability and a real love for the game. We're excited to see him grow within our program over the years ahead."
Perth Bears Chairman Ben Morton said Murray was the “first of many great future players from our Western Australian clubs and community”.
“This is a very exciting announcement, especially for Zane and his family, but also for all of us at the Perth Bears,” Morton said.
Elite Pathways Manager Ian Millward said Murray's signing was a landmark moment for the Perth Bears Tracks Academy system.
"This is another important step for our pathways program and demonstrates to the West Australian community that the Perth Bears are committed to not just identifying local talent, but developing it," he said.
"Zane is our first signing to come through the WA Tracks Academy, but he won't be the last.
"He is a talented player, but what really stands out is his attitude. He's earned this opportunity, and we believe he deserves the chance to prove himself on a bigger stage."
Murray's signing adds to the Bears' growing group of Tracks Academy signings across the Sydney, Brisbane and now WA programs.
Murray could be part of the Perth Bears' inaugural SG Ball team, with the club targeting entry into the NSW under-19s competition by 2029.
