Location proved the determining factor in choosing the colours, logo and name of the new ‘‘hub’’ club.
A joint venture between Caversham, Dunedin Technical, Melchester Rovers and Hereweka, the Southern Premier League side wore its new strip for the first time last Saturday.
Light blue and white was decided upon.
Dunedin Technical president Tony Boomer said that represented its location and reflected the sea, the sky and the waves.
Meanwhile, the albatross was similarly reflective of the area’s well-known animal and was the inspiration for the Royals name.
‘‘We spent hours throwing around names and colours and things,’’ Boomer said.
‘‘We wanted something to identify our area.
‘‘We threw around a few names that had been used before. We didn’t feel so comfortable doing that.’’
Boomer said the team went with South City, because that was were it was based in the city.
‘‘But we also wanted something to tag us to the location and that’s what the albatross does.
‘‘It’s the northern royal albatross.
‘‘Nick [Rowe] from Hereweka came up with the Royals. It was a lightbulb moment for the guys sitting around the table.’’
For now the name and colours were only in place for one year.
That did not mean they will not be retained, but Boomer said it was a case of keeping an open mind and seeing how this year played out.
The venture had begun with a draw in its opening game against Queenstown, before a 10-2 thrashing of Wanaka at Tahuna Park in its first home game.
Boomer had been ‘‘delighted’’ with the start and said it has been good to see the team had been well supported.
While the clubs had not fully merged — at present it was just the premier men’s side playing under the hub name — a full merger remained an option.
