I read an online comment recently regarding the new Major League Rugby (MLR) in the USA and the necessity of team nicknames. This I thought was odd, as in the USA it is the norm for teams in the established professional sports to have a nickname.
As Rugby Union is competing against these other sports, a team nickname seemed both normal and essential – the recent inaugural winners of the MLR were the Seattle Seawolves who beat the Glendale Raptors in the Championship decider. These names have a good strong feel about them and seem right; fans like to identify with their team and their nicknames.
It also makes much sense for the teams in terms of promotion, sponsorship, merchandising and commercial activity. This made me think of the recent news that newly-promoted Gallagher Premiership team Bristol Rugby has been rebranded as Bristol Bears.
This did not go down well with the majority of fans who could not understand why such a famous club with a long and proud history (formed in 1888) needed any change. That appears to be a fair point and there appears to be no connection with the name and the city of Bristol, and you would think that Bristol Rugby needs no introduction to rugby fans in the UK and the wider rugby community,
But on the other hand you can understand the thinking of the club owner who has to look forward and consider the long term future of the club. The decision seems to have been made on a business and commercial basis with a view to obtaining more sponsorship, commercial and merchandising opportunities. Also, perhaps with a view to the wider rugby markets like the USA? Only this week, the Guardian has published the financial positions of each Premiership club, highlighting the need to maximise revenues to keep up with players’ wage demands.
Contrast the Bristol Bears with the nickname of a long-established club in the English Premiership: Leicester Tigers were formed in 1880. The first recorded mention of the Tigers as a nickname was in 1885, so the fans have no objection to team being known as Leicester Tigers because it has always been thus. It is change that people are objecting to where Bristol is concerned.
What do others think of their teams’ nicknames? Does your team need a nickname or a change to their present name?
By Michael Hire
I personally don’t mind the Bristol rebrand, Pat Lam is all about creating a culture and vision and they’re very capable of getting 8th.
0
Personally not a fan, although I have a horrible feeling that Glos may soon roll out the Lions nickname… Still will make most of the South African contingent feel at home!
And Jacob, do you really think Brizzle will make 8th in the table? Who do you think that they will finish above? I guess you think Sale and Worcester, but who else?
0
It’s really tough, 2 of Bath, Northampton or Harlequins.
0
I can imagine one or possibly two of the three plus Sale underperforming but not three of the four.
0
I can understand the commercial argument & so called progress, whatever that means, however a ‘tag’ should surely have recognisable relevance attached to it. I mean ‘Bristol Bears’ seems like the club are merely aping the ‘Chicago Bears’. It’s similar in S Rugby with the ‘Hurricanes’, or ‘Blues’, although not with the ‘Highlanders’ (as far as I know) as their moniker has a Scottish connection. Also the SR franchises are newer, so they have little attachment to past history. This though, is not the case over here & brings me back to Bristol. There must be a better ‘mockname’ than the ‘Bears’. Perhaps the club could have polled the fans for an appropriate nickname. Can’t really think of 1 myself, but I guess others out there whom could? ‘Bullets’ maybe? Name of a noted WW1 aircraft.. but I think that may have been done as well. ‘Bombers’, ‘Bombardiers’ (decent pint that too), ‘Blue bloods’?
0
Interesting you mention aircraft as Bristol have a strong history in early aviation, the Bristol Bulldog, Boxkite, Britannia etc, unfortunately none of them make decent nicknames and Bristol Bombers would never work in a terrorist-frenzied world.
1
Seem to have heard of a Bristol ‘Bulldog’ too, but that’s also been used in Oz R League. I discounted ‘Cities’ of course or ‘Porters’, as the latter would be unpopular with the team as it’d likely get them extra training. Ah well.. back to thinking caps.
0
Bulldogs was the name of the former speedway team in Bristol. I understand there are moves to bring the speedway team back.
0
Didn’t know that. Interesting to see if the speedway team revives. I was reffing to a Bristol ‘Bulldog’ aircraft however. It was from the period between the WWrs I believe.
0
Perhaps, although Joe Lewis might have disagreed. Anyway, surely a name appropriately connected to Bristol’s past history, such as aviation, or it’s nautical past, would have been a better bet.
0
The only other two names I’ve heard (seriously) suggested are Bristol Badgers (plane) and Bristol Unicorns (on the city/club crest).
Unfortunately the first implies a portly village idiot and the second might appeal to the pre-teen female fanbase, but no-one else really!
Bris do have a bear connection – sort of – in Brizzley, their bear mascot of (at least) 10 years.
I hated it at first, especially in the face of all guffaws from homophobic morons up the Avon, but it’s grown on me a bit.
I wonder how dependent the brand is on Prem survival though 🙁
0
Perhaps ‘Cats’, hinting @ yr photo? Although, as clubs often opt for alliteration within their team names, it may not quite work on 2nd thoughts. Maybe ‘Fire cats’, or how about ‘Voyagers’, or ‘ Seafarers’ (another beer I’m afraid), or ‘Beaufighters’ (a former Bristol WW II aircraft) or ‘Cliftons’? In any event & as you allude to, a name won’t help with their Premiership rugby survival.
0