Change to names proposed

Otago cricket chairman Russell Mawhinney. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
Otago cricket chairman Russell Mawhinney. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
The Otago Cricket Association is not about to change the names of its teams into a symbol — a la Prince — any time soon.

But they might make a small tweak if the cricket community buys into the proposed change.

The board met in Dunedin on Wednesday night.

One of the agenda items was to discuss a possible name change for the Otago Volts and Sparks to Southern Districts or something that better reflects the regions they represent.

Southland is part of the catchment, but some of the people in the Deep South have struggled to support a team that carries the name of their provincial rival.

Proud Southlander and Otago seamer Jacob Duffy is a passionate advocate for change, and the campaign has gathered momentum in recent months.

OCA chairman Russell Mawhinney told the Otago Daily Times the meeting was productive, but there was a lot of work ahead.

"Basically, what we decided was that we want to do some fairly heavy consultation," he said.

"And we’ve got a proposal as a starting point ... The proposal is that we’ll have the Volts and the Sparks for Super Smash.

"Just the Volts, just the Sparks, not the Otago Volts or the Otago Sparks.

He said the proposal was also to retain the name Otago for Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

"And so that’s just sort of a starting point."

The plan was to let the proposal percolate and see what feedback they got.

It is certainly not a radical change and whether it will do enough to appease any aggrieved Southlanders remains to be seen.

"We got a wee bit of feedback from down there.

"And one of the ideas is just to acknowledge Southland and the colours.

"You know, get some maroon in there."

The OCA board is not considering a name change for the wider association at this stage.

That would require significant planning and would be a costly undertaking.

adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz

 

OUTSTREAM