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Dolphins vs Dolphin wannabes – the battle gains momentum

Sydney Carton

Juniors
Messages
811
Redcliffe Dolphins Media Release

Dolphins vs Dolphin wannabes – the battle gains momentum

The Gold Coast NRL consortium has stirred up a hornet’s nest and an online petition as the Redcliffe Dolphins and many league supporters cry foul over their dogged determination to use the name Dolphins despite knowing that the highly successful and respected Redcliffe Club has proudly borne the Dolphin emblem for 36 years.

While the consortium says the Redcliffe Dolphins shouldn’t have a problem with there being two clubs called the Dolphins, according to the Redcliffe Dolphins President, Des Webb, it seems quite clear they haven’t thought it out.

“Where is their commonsense, common decency and desire to foster goodwill in the game? We don’t believe they fully realise what they are tampering with, or the long term repercussions, so we’ve decided it’s time to ensure that everybody is really clear about just what is at stake here.

“The Redcliffe Dolphins has aspirations to join the NRL in the future. If there was already an NRL club called the Dolphins, we would be forced to change our name. There is far too much heritage, history and deserved ownership associating the name Dolphins with the Redcliffe club for a name change to be acceptable in any way,” he stated firmly.

“Apart from the fact that people could easily confuse the two clubs, over time people would begin to confuse the history of the two clubs. It would without question undermine and diminish our history and reputation.”

The Redcliffe Dolphins, in a heartland of league, is one of the most successful and well-known clubs in rugby league. Guided for decades now by a board of substance, it is a solid, reputable, profitable and highly respected club with a wonderful history and a proven success formula for the development of talented players.

The proof is in the club’s remarkable on field success over the last decade, a junior league membership that’s increasing every year, the record number of Redcliffe players currently in the NRL (including that five of the 13 players in the Broncos team in a recent match were former Redcliffe juniors) and the trend that predicts that many more future NRL stars will come out of the club as a result of its outstanding development programs.

“We have earned the right to have other clubs respect what we have achieved and all the history that is associated with the name Dolphins,” said Webb. “It is beyond belief and unacceptable that the Gold Coast is willing to ride roughshod over this.”

There’s a much broader issue that needs to be seriously considered. Rugby league has had more than its fair share of challenges to overcome this past decade, so it makes no sense for the Gold Coast to dig their toes in over their name choice and alienate a significant number of rugby league supporters. Why create fractures within league circles and beyond that just don’t need to be there?

“The Redcliffe Dolphins are a celebrated club of long standing. Dolphin Oval is hallowed turf. We will not surrender our emblem. We will leave no stone unturned in our fight to preserve all that this means to us as a club, and to league generally,” said Webb.

“We have written to the National Rugby League chief executive officer, we are seeking support from the BRL Division and Queensland Rugby League – as our immediate governing bodies and our trademark lawyer believes we have a good case. As the Dolphins, the Redcliffe football club has played a major part in our city's history and development and that also will mount a part of our case. Redcliffe City Council is on side and has plans of its own to lobby against it.”

The club has also set up an online petition for the many league supporters and Redcliffe residents who have something to say on the matter and want their vote to be counted – they can go to http://redcliffe.leagueunlimited.com , click on the petition box on the lower left of the homepage to add their name and comments.

“While the Gold Coast may not be willing or able to see just what is at stake, we trust that common sense will prevail as surely the NRL and its supporters can see what is in the best interests of Rugby League.”
 

Eelectrica

Referee
Messages
21,106
Two different comps, therefore no "battle" of names.

“The Redcliffe Dolphins has aspirations to join the NRL in the future.
Exactly how far into the future 20 years, 50 years? When exactly can we expect to see the "Redcliff Dolphins" join the NRL?

“The Redcliffe Dolphins are a celebrated club of long standing. Dolphin Oval is hallowed turf. We will not surrender our emblem.
The Gold Coast Dolphins are going to be playing at Carrara. Carrara is located on the Gold Coast in case you were unaware. So your precious little ground is not at risk. Neither is your emblem, the Gold Coast have their own emblem as well.

our trademark lawyer believes we have a good case.
I'll bet he does. Needs to put another down payment on the Ferrari does he?
 
Messages
42,632
pffft

The Picton Magpies weren't that far from Lidcombe.

Neither were the Wentworthville Magpies. It's been happening for decades. And how long have the Redcliffe Dolphins had their nickname and did they pinch it from Miami...
 
Messages
108
Everlovin' Antichrist said:
pffft

The Picton Magpies weren't that far from Lidcombe.

Neither were the Wentworthville Magpies. It's been happening for decades. And how long have the Redcliffe Dolphins had their nickname and did they pinch it from Miami...

You're trying to compare some no-name Sydney team with one of the proudest and most famous rugby league clubs in the world ?

PFFFFFT.
 

Big-Steve

Juniors
Messages
663
For what my opion is worth on this a Redcliffe based NRL team is a much better idea than the current Gold Coast bid.

Good luck to them.
 
Messages
13,806
what a joke, redcliffe are a joke. hey redcliffe, GOLD COAST ARE IN THE NRL (when they are admitted), YOU ARE IN QLD CUP and they are saying they want to be in the NRL soon. the NRL has to decide whether they even want a 16th team yet let alone the other bid, wellington, perth and then maybe redcliffe. i dont see the burleigh bears complain about the central coasts name, i dont see wests panthers pissed at penrith or easts tigers bitching about wests tigers. so get over it redcliffe.
 

^ Pando

retired
Messages
7,121
The Original Eye said:
You're trying to compare some no-name Sydney team with one of the proudest and most famous rugby league clubs in the world ?

PFFFFFT.

Worldfamous.jpg
 
Messages
216
Redcliffe could easily beat half of the bottom 8 teams in the NRL. I don't suppose any of you sydney people would care when you have about 10 teams to support. Up here in QLD we value our teams and redcliffe are one of the finest. Very poor choice gold coast!
 

DJ1

Juniors
Messages
1,710
Crap,

If they want the name, get off their butts and get a bid in.

You snooze, you lose!
 

mightybears

Bench
Messages
4,342
the trademark issue relates to 'markets' not to the comps the respective teams will be in, the redcliffe legal advice would centre on this issue
 

PARRA_FAN

Coach
Messages
17,343
Ive got a question:

Whats wrong with bringing back the Chargers? :D

Good ole Captain Charger was a likeable character.
 

choc_soldier

Coach
Messages
10,387
The Original Eye said:
Everlovin' Antichrist said:
pffft

The Picton Magpies weren't that far from Lidcombe.

Neither were the Wentworthville Magpies. It's been happening for decades. And how long have the Redcliffe Dolphins had their nickname and did they pinch it from Miami...

You're trying to compare some no-name Sydney team with one of the proudest and most famous rugby league clubs in the world ?

PFFFFFT.

Wentworthville is not a "no name" team, believe me.
 

parra_princess

Juniors
Messages
605
Don't you dare knock the Wenty Magpies! You don't have to be from Redcliffe to appreciate a local team.

And everyone has swamped your arguments. Eelectrica's post says it all.

Does anybody have a website for the Gold Coast Dolphins bid?
 

parra_princess

Juniors
Messages
605
Thanks for that Parra Panther :D

I love the Wenty Magpies...the best junior club in the Parra area. They produced the Cayless brothers! It sucked when we lost the final last year...oh well maybe this year!
 

Wests is Best

Juniors
Messages
810
I sympathise with the loyal Redcliffe supporters. I know very little about the club, but I know that they are not an amateur club, and the Gold Coast is not all that far away from Redcliffe so it sure would feel like there name has been stolen. Looking at it from an outsiders point of view though, its not the end of the world.
I was not aware that Redcliffe have ambitions of entering the NRL, but hypothetically say they were granted entry in the NRL down the track, it would be similar to Port Power in the AFL. They were the Port Adelaide Magpies and had a strip similar to Collingwood, they changed colors, logo and name so they could play in the best Aussie Rules comp in the country. I'd say Redcliffe would gladly do the same if they had to.
But then there is also fate....
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
151,853
And Redcliffe didn't copy the Miami Dolphins either.

How many Tigers, Bear and Magpies are there in this country.

Build a bridge, and.........................you know the rest of it
 
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