There are a few reasons for not using the Steelers name :
- As mentioned before, it is Illawarra Leagues and STGIRLFC putting forward most of the money. Steelers Leagues is contributing, but nowhere near as much as the other two.
- Part of the agreement was that whoever became the major sponsor had the rights to the monkier for the side as well. Illawarra Coal are not going to want the side to be associated with Wollongong's steel industry.
I can understand the reasoning why the team isn't called the Steelers - becasue three parties are behind the venture and not just the Steelers, but so what? The team should be called the Steelers anyway. This is an incredibly petty and short-sighted decision by Illawarra Leagues.
The 'Steelers' name has the 'brand', has an NRL history, and resonates with the fans and the district and had more chance of connecting with the community and attracting fans to watch them play. 'Cutters' means jack s**t to anyone, and may get confused with the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.
So now we have a NSW Cup team with the same illawarra name and jersey & colours and design as the Steelers had, but are called the Cutters. Genuis. And to top it all off there is still the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball and Harold Matthews. How confusing.
And sponsors come and sponsors go - so what will happen when this coal company decides in future to no longer sponsor the team? Has anyone thought of that? Hopefully this Illawarra team WILL be called the Steelers one day.
History can and does mean something when used right. This as a PR and marketing opportunity missed, and an oppiortunity to revive the Steelers name and they've muffed it due to pettiness.
