Western Province Professional Rugby changes name to Stormers Rugby
The name has been changed to establish a clear separation between the professional and amateur arms.
FILE: Stormers players celebrate a try in their URC match against Edinburgh in Cape Town on 23 March 2024. Picture: @THESTORMERS/X
Lester Kiewit speaks to Lloyd Burnard, News24 Sports Editor, about the name change
CEO Johan le Roux, a major role-player in the Red Disa Consortium as head of Fynbos Ekwiteit, said the name change is due to the company’s goal of establishing a clear separation between the professional and amateur arms, which is the Western Province Rugby Football Union.
Burnard says there's 'no real material change' for the clubs, other than the monikers.
"There's no real material change. The clubs will carry on the way they do."
- Lloyd Burnard, Sports Editor - News24
Burnard argues money is at the center of the epithet rebrand.
The goal is to turn Stormers Rugby, which is currently operating at a loss, into a break-even business within three years. And the success of the Stormers is obviously key to that, says Burnard.
"The name change also helps align the Stormers and the franchise with the rugby team, which is essentially the flagship product, which generates the bulk of their annual revenue."
- Lloyd Burnard, News24 Sports Editor
Burnard explains that this change could also be beneficial for player recruitment.
"This also makes recruiting superstar players more accessible within the franchise, other than going to market to acquire players like other unions do."
- Lloyd Burnard, Sports Editor - News24
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.