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NRL 2022: St George Illawarra Dragons in shock name change consideration
St George Illawarra Dragons are exploring the potential of a name change that could tear apart the club. See the options of new names which members were asked to consider.
The Dragons are exploring the potential of dropping the Illawarra moniker from their name as the club gives serious consideration to returning as the St George Dragons.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that club members were issued a wide-ranging survey this week which included multiple questions to get a gauge on a potential name or logo change.
Eyebrows were raised when the survey questions lobbed in fans’ inboxes this week.
The most contentious question asked fans “which naming convention should the St George Illawarra Dragons use as their formal identity”.
The options included; St George Dragons, Southern Dragons, Greater Sydney Dragons, The Dragons or St George Illawarra Dragons.
It is understood that a return to St George Dragons has some support while the club could ditch St George or Illawarra from its name completely as they shift away from a geographical link. They could instead opt to be known simply as the Dragons.
Another question asked fans how appealing they rated the current logo and how they refer to the club.
The Dragons have no plans to shift away from its Illawarra-base and are committed to the region long-term after securing funds to build a $50 million centre of excellence at the University of Wollongong.
Among the other questions included fans were asked to what extend do they agree or disagree with the below statements;
– The St George and Illawarra fanbases have a lot in common
– The club’s combined histories are there to guide and inspire us
– The club must unite under a single identity to be truly successful
They also asked fans to what extent they agreed with “the era of the St George and Illawarra Steelers has passed and we must now look to the future as one”.
It’s understood the member survey was the second piece of work commissioned by the board to an independent third party.
Internal club staff were also sent a survey to gauge their opinions on a wide range of issues concerning the club.
A senior club official told The Daily Telegraph the surveys would provide crucial information and input to help build the club’s brand into one of the biggest in Australian sport.
The joint venture between St George and the Steelers was formed heading into the 1999 season. It underwent a massive ownership revamp over time as the Steelers struggled to be a solid financial partner.
Eventually WIN agreed to take up a 50 per cent stake in the Dragons in 2018 after three years of protracted negotiations.
The Dragons name, logo and colours are protected with a unanimous vote needed to change any part of the club’s identity. “Reserved matters” need 75 per cent or more of the WIN and St George board members to agree to reduce the amount of games played at WIN Stadium or Jubilee Oval and change the club’s constitution.
The board has an even split on the six people between St George and WIN Corporation.
WIN CEO Andrew Lancaster was appointed chairman of the board last month as part of the 12 month rotation between the two parties.
St George Illawarra Dragons are exploring the potential of a name change that could tear apart the club. See the options of new names which members were asked to consider.
The Dragons are exploring the potential of dropping the Illawarra moniker from their name as the club gives serious consideration to returning as the St George Dragons.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that club members were issued a wide-ranging survey this week which included multiple questions to get a gauge on a potential name or logo change.
Eyebrows were raised when the survey questions lobbed in fans’ inboxes this week.
The most contentious question asked fans “which naming convention should the St George Illawarra Dragons use as their formal identity”.
The options included; St George Dragons, Southern Dragons, Greater Sydney Dragons, The Dragons or St George Illawarra Dragons.
It is understood that a return to St George Dragons has some support while the club could ditch St George or Illawarra from its name completely as they shift away from a geographical link. They could instead opt to be known simply as the Dragons.
Another question asked fans how appealing they rated the current logo and how they refer to the club.
The Dragons have no plans to shift away from its Illawarra-base and are committed to the region long-term after securing funds to build a $50 million centre of excellence at the University of Wollongong.
Among the other questions included fans were asked to what extend do they agree or disagree with the below statements;
– The St George and Illawarra fanbases have a lot in common
– The club’s combined histories are there to guide and inspire us
– The club must unite under a single identity to be truly successful
They also asked fans to what extent they agreed with “the era of the St George and Illawarra Steelers has passed and we must now look to the future as one”.
It’s understood the member survey was the second piece of work commissioned by the board to an independent third party.
Internal club staff were also sent a survey to gauge their opinions on a wide range of issues concerning the club.
A senior club official told The Daily Telegraph the surveys would provide crucial information and input to help build the club’s brand into one of the biggest in Australian sport.
The joint venture between St George and the Steelers was formed heading into the 1999 season. It underwent a massive ownership revamp over time as the Steelers struggled to be a solid financial partner.
Eventually WIN agreed to take up a 50 per cent stake in the Dragons in 2018 after three years of protracted negotiations.
The Dragons name, logo and colours are protected with a unanimous vote needed to change any part of the club’s identity. “Reserved matters” need 75 per cent or more of the WIN and St George board members to agree to reduce the amount of games played at WIN Stadium or Jubilee Oval and change the club’s constitution.
The board has an even split on the six people between St George and WIN Corporation.
WIN CEO Andrew Lancaster was appointed chairman of the board last month as part of the 12 month rotation between the two parties.
