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Manawatu Turbos mark a new beginning |
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Written by Site Admin
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Friday, 16 June 2006 |
 Manawatu Rugby’s top team, competing for the Air New Zealand Cup, will be called the Manawatu Turbos. The union has claimed the new name for the team it plans to be a force in the new professional competition, kicking off in July.
The new logo, a wind turbine with wind lines surrounding the name Manawatu Turbos, will only be associated with the Air New Zealand Cup team, Manawatu Chief Executive Hadyn Smith said today.
“This is a new beginning (in the professional game) for players, staff, sponsors and supporters. This new focus is taking the region’s local icon, the wind turbines, and making them something fresh and powerful that we can all make a new connection with. This is all new for the province and we encourage people to recognise “a new beginning” in this new era of rugby.
Grant Smith of GSA Design, was behind the formulation of the new brand and believes the design reflects the briefing given to them by Manawatu Rugby and will add new interest to this years team.
“Clearly the power turbines around the Manawatu are one of this region’s features and something that have a big and powerful presence. Although we initially focused on several names, including turbines in full, it became clear that the word turbos had a far greater connection with a broad cross section of the community. To then connect visual aspects of wind and power (turbines) to the words Manawatu and Turbo was the easy part. I think it is a good brand and can potentially be very strong.” said Mr Smith.
Hadyn Smith said it was time to stop lamenting Manawatu Rugby’s lack of success with senior teams in recent years and focus on the now.
“Our young people are having great success at all levels. Just look at the records of PN Boys High School and Feilding High School. We shouldn’t let ourselves be handicapped by the past. We want the people of Manawatu to see the opportunities of this new era and be the force behind the Turbos.”
Manawatu Rugby Union Chair – Tony Murphy, says this is another quantum leap for the union.
“There has been a great deal of positive change this year and the board firmly supported the CEO’s recommendation that we also needed to focus on our image and a “new beginning” in direct association with the new Air New Zealand Cup team. The Manawatu Turbos brand (along with several other potential ideas) was tested with a range of our members and supporters and it seemed to make a good impact on all those surveyed.
“This year involves a great deal of excitement and a degree of nervous anticipation. We have plans, new staff, a new competition and new players.
“The new brand is just one strand of our strategy for Manawatu Rugby and we hope the public will share our hopes for its success as we head toward the July 29 kick off against Auckland,” said Mr Murphy.
Plans are also underway for additions to the Manawatu Rugby Website with a focus on the development of “Junior Turbos” (aimed at our young supporters) and a new supporter’s merchandise range.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 June 2006 )
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