Super 14: meet the Spears
28 December 2005
Tony McKeever, CEO of the Southern and Eastern Cape Super 14 rugby franchise, has announced that the region's new team will be called the Southern Spears.
The announcement of the Southern Spears finally gives identity to the three regions that make up the new franchise of Border, Eastern Province and South Western Districts.
The Spears join the five existing local teams - the Bulls, Cheetahs, Cats, Sharks and Stormers - for the expanded Super 14 rugby tournament between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
'Put your passion on paper'
"The naming of the new franchise was an intense programme, which was researched and tested by focus groups," McKeever said. "In addition to this, calls were made to the public to participate via an advertising campaign for them to 'Put Your Passion on Paper'".
McKeever explained at the announcement that it was essential to be as inclusive and participative as
possible and to explore all the names and colours associated with the three rugby unions. This ranged from the South African flag colours, to their flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Thousands of names and colours were proposed and tested in a thorough research and design campaign.
The Southern Spears identity is red, black and white, using three colours from the South African flag, with a spear bolt flashing through the name "Spears".
The inclusion of "Southern" embraces the entire Southern and Eastern Cape area, as well as locates it within southern Africa for the international audiences watching the Super 14 games.
SpearLeaders
In an additional announcement, it was revealed that the Southern Spears Super 14 franchise will be supported by a cheerleading group of 45 talented women, over the age of 18, to be known as the SpearLeaders.
The SpearLeaders are required to be outstanding and dynamic ambassadors - on the field and
off the field - for the Southern Spears team sponsors, and will be selected following a series of auditions described as "Miss South Africa meets Idols".
The SpearLeaders will undergo training and have dance and choreography lessons, plus their own sponsorship and endorsement partners in product categories ranging from clothing, fashion, hair, cosmetics, and eyewear to transportation, leisure destinations and fitness centres.
Peter de Villiers, new head coach of the Southern Spears, said his squad had been highly rated at an intensive evaluation by SA Rugby's high-performance testing team.
The Southern Spears management and team will be located at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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