ETSA Park was a sea of pink on Wednesday night as the Adelaide Thunderbirds launched its new brand, team colours and 2011 Premier Partner.
The Thunderbirds revealed the spectacular pink uniforms and new logo to a crowd of more than 200 supporters and sponsors as the team prepares for the 2011 season.
Netball SA CEO, Stephanie Greene, said the new brand marked a major move in the Adelaide Thunderbirds claiming important ground in the South Australian sporting landscape.
She said as the reigning ANZ Championship Premiers, the time was right for the Thunderbirds to springboard into their new look, new identity and targeted strategy to grow and consolidate the sport as a national leader.
“We (Thunderbirds) are really pushing for netball in this State to gain the recognition it deserves – the new brand and team colours are a great way to show that netball is a vibrant and fabulous sport really ready to fly,” said Ms Greene.
The launch was a glamorous affair with an audience of media, business leaders and South Australian sporting identities watching on.
“Netball is the largest participation sport in Australia with over 110,000 players in South Australia alone, yet in certain circumstances it doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves,” said Ms Greene.
“The new brand reflects our future direction and will also connect with all netball enthusiasts in South Australia and Australia. We have great hopes that the brand will link the sporting and corporate arenas, which to be honest we’ve struggled with in the past.”
Current players also gave the new look their stamp of approval.
“I absolutely love the new uniform and logo, it has a great look and feel which really suits where we want to take the team. The players all think that the fans will love it – it’s modern, fresh and is a real statement,” Adelaide Thunderbird, Natalie Von Bertouch said.
“This is a new beginning for us and we are all very excited to start the new season.”
Natalie also expressed her excitement leading into the 2011 season and task of defending the 2010 ANZ Championship.
“I am really looking forward to the massive task ahead and hope the Thunderbirds can recapture the success of 2010 and create a dynasty of sorts with the current line up,” Ms Von Bertouch said.
In further good news for netball in South Australia, Fairmont Homes was announced as the new Premier Partner of the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2011.
David Pickard, Managing Director of Fairmont Homes said the new brand was one of the motivating factors of the organisation signing on as Premier Partner.
“We thought this was a bold and motivational step for the Thunderbirds to capture a bigger audience in South Australia and nationwide. It was very important to us in moving forward with both the Thunderbirds and Netball SA.” Mr Pickard said.
