Why is the logo a rabbit?
The ‘rabbit’ logo comes from the Club’s nickname ‘the Rabbitohs’.
The name ‘the Rabbitohs’ stems from a group of men who skinned and sold rabbits around the back alleys of Sydney at the turn of last century.
Unable to secure jobs at the wharves, men chased and caught the rabbits and sold them on the streets as a source of income.
Reports say that a number of players playing with South Sydney in the Club’s initial years were Rabbitohs, and hence the nickname ‘Rabbitohs’ was adopted by the Club.
It is widely regarded as one of the most unique and reflective team names in world sport.
What is the idea behind the black rabbit?
The ‘black rabbit’ was included in 2007 for a number of reasons. First of all the black rabbit is a fiercer looking rabbit than the traditional white rabbit. The black rabbit is used on the ‘away’ playing strip as the Rabbitohs are angry about being away from home and they will show it on the field.
Secondly, the black rabbit is a symbol of the respect and honour in which the Club’s Indigenous and Islander players, both past and present, are held within the Club, and the black rabbit shows this.
Thirdly, the black rabbit is part of a broader branding concept that the ‘away’ strip features a black theme and the ‘home’ strip features a white theme. The rabbit, sponsors, side panels and collar on the ‘away’ strip are black and the rabbit, sponsors, side panels and collar on the ‘home’ strip are white.
Who are the Rabbitohs major corporate partners?
The Rabbitohs have four major corporate partners for the 2007 season covering four major properties.
The four major corporate partner are:
* Firepower (Home)
* High Concept (Away)
* Virgin Blue (Training)
* Members Equity Bank (Membership)
For a full explanation on these companies, plus all of the Rabbitohs corporate partners, visit the Rabbitohs official website at www.souths.com.au/sponsorship/directory.asp.
What’s happening with South Sydney Leagues Club?
The former South Sydney Leagues Club building and car park, covering 12,000 square metres, was purchased by the Football Club in February 2007, and a new company called High Concept Commercial was formed to redevelop the building in partnership with Albert Bertini’s Trivest group.
Trivest specialises in adaptive re-use of city fringe commercial buildings and has been very successful in the development of buildings in Alexandria, Pyrmont, Surry Hills and Ultimo.
South Sydney Leagues Club will retain ownership of 1,500 square metres on the first floor, by strata title, in the new Rabbitohs building, with brand new licensed club premises.
The Football Club will have new management and player facilities in the building, which will be finished in 2008 along with the new South Sydney Rabbitohs’ training facility at Redfern Park, being built by the City of Sydney.
Other prospective tenants for the remaining 10,000 square metres in the building, which include a small, express style supermarket, a small public gymnasium and commercial offices.
Rabbitohs’ Executive Chairman Peter Holmes à Court, said: “We will develop a state of the art commercial facility for South Sydney, providing first class amenities for the Football Club, Leagues Club members, general public and commercial lessees.
“This building will return as the hub of social activity in the Redfern area and we are delighted to be developing an icon property in the city fringe, with other High Concept projects currently being considered”, he added.
The Football Club will benefit from the rental payments to be generated by the leasing of the commercial space and funds generated by the newly refurbished building.
What is High Concept?
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Trivest have formed a joint venture, High Concept by Trivest, to purchase and re-develop Souths Leagues Club at Chalmers St, Redfern. The joint venture will see the construction of a purpose-built leagues club with a $3 million fit out, the construction of a new football club headquarters and 10,000 square metres of commercial space, to be leased. In addition, the adjoining building to the club with 11 apartments has been acquired by the joint venture company.
How are the Rabbitohs meeting their community responsibilities?
The South Sydney Football Club has established a community initiative called Souths Cares
Souths Cares assists disadvantaged young people and their families from the South Sydney area extending through to the Eastern Beaches, Regional NSW and across Indigenous communities throughout Australia. This is done by drawing on the rich heritage of the Rabbitohs and engaging current players in the delivery of programs that promote the benefits of education and healthy lifestyles.
Souths Cares projects seek to increase the efficiency in delivery of services through partnerships with established service providers, Government and the corporate sector. As Souths Cares develops its current outreach programs further, it aims to engage a team of Community Development Officers who will deliver health and education programs in disadvantaged communities throughout Australia.
Established by Peter Holmes à Court and Russell Crowe, Souths Cares is a registered charity and has contributed the equivalent of over $650,000 into the community during 2007.
What happened at the Bra Boys movie premiere and Anthony Mundine vs Sam Soliman fight?
The entire South Sydney Rabbitohs playing squad and coaching staff attended the Bra Boys movie premiere at Sydney State Theatre on March 7, walking the red carpet helping to promote the movie and the story of the Maroubra surfing group.
Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe narrates the film and player John Sutton features in the movie.
From the red carpet the Rabbitohs group headed to the Sydney Entertainment Centre to watch Rabbitohs Indigenous Liaison Officer Anthony Mundine take on challenger Sam Soliman for the vacant WBA super middleweight title.
In a fierce battle, Mundine knocked Soliman out in the third minute of the ninth round to take the title.
What is the Bra Boys movie?
“Bra Boys” is a film about the cultural evolution of the inner-Sydney beachside suburb of Maroubra and the social struggle of its youth – the tattooed and much maligned surf community known as the Bra Boys. The story is narrated by Australian actor Russell Crowe and is told through the eyes of members of the Bra Boys.
It is the first full-length film project being undertaken by, and officially sanctioned by, the Bra Boys. It is their story. It shows their success in professional big wave surfing, it explores their international reputation for hard partying and rough justice, it touches on their running battle with authorities and it shows their absolute reliance on one another to fit into a society in which they are displaced and, at times, disinterested. It shows how the evolution of Maroubra, coupled with the historical stigma associated with Australia’s rebellious surf community, has contributed to their social displacement.
Central to the story is the true-life struggle of the Abberton brothers – Sunny, Koby, Jai and Dakota … one charged with murdering a Sydney standover man, another pursuing a professional surf career but charged as an accessory in his brother’s legal fight, another trying to hold the family together and a young brother whose inheritance is his siblings’ notoriety.
“Bra Boys” uses archival footage shot and blends it with current surf vision and interviews to create a story that is compassionate and confronting. It is a story of contrast involving against-the-odds success and predictable failures and, ultimately, a story exploring the legacy and hopes of the next generation of Bra Boys members. Source – http://www.braboys.com.au
Where is Maroubra Beach?
Maroubra Beach is on the coast in the South Sydney area. Set between the low sandstone headlands of Maroubra and fronted by Marine Parade, Maroubra Beach is just 20 minutes by car from the city and the airport the one kilometre long swimming and surf beach is patrolled by the Maroubra and South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Clubs and council beach inspectors. Source – www.randwickcitytourism.com.au.
What is Armani?
Armani is one of the premier designer labels on the planet, and they have provided the players and coaches of the Rabbitohs with specially designed blazers that the team can wear with pride.
The Armani couture features a green blazer with red pin stripes, accompanied by black or khaki trousers, brown shoes, belt and the red and green tie. The blazers feature a specially designed crest showing the origins of the team name ‘Rabbitohs’, a rabbit hunter holding a rabbit which was skinned and sold on the streets of Sydney by men called ‘Rabbitohs’. Players with representative honours also receive special patches showing their achievements in the game of Rugby League on their Armani blazer.
Giorgio Armani is the figurehead of Armani. He was born July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy and has built a reputation as one of the planets leading fashion designers.
By combining elegance with a sophisticated style, Armani has succeeded by giving sports jackets a sportswear feel and making the tailoring less severe.
In the early '80s, Armani saw the potential of getting his designs into movies, when he provided Richard Gere's wardrobe in 1980's American Gigolo. Since then, his creations have been seen on the Oscar red carpet and at Hollywood affairs, on celebrities such as Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe.
Giorgio Armani launched Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans in 1981; Armani women's perfume in 1982; Armani men's fragrance in 1984; Notturno telephone (manufactured by Italtel) in 1986; Giorgio Armani Occhiali and Giorgio Armani Calze in 1987; A/X Armani Exchange in 1991; Acqua di Gio women's perfume, Giorgio Armani Neve (Snow), and Giorgio Armani Golf, all in 1995; and Acqua di Gio men's fragrance and Giorgio Armani Classico for men and women, in 1996. Armani's empire also includes swimwear, underwear and accessories, for both men and women.
Even at the very start of his career in fashion design, Armani's power and talent were evident. In 1982, he was the first fashion designer to appear on the cover of Time magazine since Christian Dior.
A self-proclaimed workaholic, it is Armani's hard work, creativity and philosophy of style that have earned him his fortune and accolades. Armani designs for the thinkers -- those who choose comfort over the superfluous. His design philosophy follows 3 golden rules: eliminate the superfluous, emphasize the comfortable, and acknowledge the elegance of the uncomplicated.
With more than 2000 stores worldwide and billions of dollars in annual sales, many adhere to Armani's philosophy. In addition to the multitude of awards, Armani's 25 years in the industry were honoured by New York's Guggenheim Museum and he's the only designer whose work is displayed there.
Armani revolutionised fashion and his eagle logo has soared through fashion history and will probably remain there for years to come.
What is the Rabbitohs crest on the Armani Blazer?
The Armani Blazers feature a specially designed crest featuring an actual Rabbitoh holding a skinned rabbit, symbolising the origins of the South Sydney teams’ nickname.
A latin phrase surrounds the picture, reading runocius - servo prosapia - liberi primoris, or run faster, protect the family, children first in English.
Embroidered on the bottom of the blazer are the individual player’s representative honours. An Australian or New Zealand coat of arms adorns the jackets of those who have represented these countries, with a blue or maroon ‘O’ featuring on those with State of Origin appearances under their belt. The years in which the player played in these Tests or Origin matches are also shown, enabling the player to add to their collection of embroideries on the blazer.
“The Armani blazers are fantastic and something that we have never really experienced before,” captain David Kidwell said.
“To be connected with such a respected fashion label such as Armani is something special and none of it is lost on the players.
“The really special part to it is the representative badges on the blazers.
“It is a motivating thing to see your achievements displayed so prominently and wanting to add to those with more rep honours, and the only way to do that is to play our best for Souths and show the selectors we deserve to be in the National or State of Origin teams.
“And I know for me it would motivate me to earn my first rep badge to display on my blazer by playing some great footy for the Rabbitohs.
“This is a great initiative and something I know all the boys respect and cherish.”
For more information on Armani, visit www.armani.com.au.
Want a pair of Armani underpants?
To shop online for Armani, visit www.armani.com.au.
What is the Rabbitohs Armani tie?
The red and green striped Rabbitohs tie was designed by Armani to complement the Rabbitohs Armani Blazer. The Rabbitohs players and staff were issued with the ties to wear at official Rabbitohs events and at games.
For more information on Armani, visit www.armani.com.au.
What is the team photo at Blue Sydney the day of the Roosters game?
The Rabbitohs team assembled at Blue Sydney in Woolloomooloo prior to the first round match against the Sydney Roosters, and had a team photo taken of the 20-man squad plus coaches, trainers, officials and owners.
The people in this team photo are:
Front row: Michael Baker (Football Analyst), Jason Taylor (Head Coach), David Fa’alogo, Nathan Merritt, Peter Cusack (Co-captain), David Kidwell (Co-captain), Nigel Vagana, Roy Asotasi (Co-captain), Errol Alcott (Director of Athletic Performance).
Second row: Russell Crowe (Co-owner), Peter Holmes à Court (Co-owner), Eddie Farah (Physiotherapist), Vince Kelly (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach), Dean Widders, John Sutton, David Peachey, Jeremy Smith, Shannon Hegarty, Mark Ellison (Assistant Coach), John Richardson (Consumer Relations Group Manager), Jeremy Monahan (Media and Communications Manager).
Back row: Tony Henderson (Football Manager), Shane Rigon, Daniel Irvine, Fetuli Talanoa, Paul Mellor, Jaiman Lowe, Manase Manuokafoa, Luke Stuart, Scott Geddes, Joe Williams, Grant Duthie (Strength and Conditioning Coach).
What is the Armani team photo in front of Sydney Harbour?
The day following the first round match against the Roosters, the Rabbitohs entire full-time squad plus coaches, trainers, officials and owners gathered at Bennelong Park near the Sydney Opera House, using the quintessential South Sydney views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as a backdrop for the 2007 team photo.
The people in this team photo are:
Front row: Michael Baker (Football Analyst), Jason Taylor (Head Coach), David Fa’alogo, Nathan Merritt, Peter Cusack (Co-captain), David Kidwell (Co-captain), Jeremy Smith, Roy Asotasi (Co-captain), Errol Alcott (Director of Athletic Performance).
Second row: Russell Crowe (Co-owner), Peter Holmes à Court (Co-owner), Vince Kelly (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach), Dean Widders, John Sutton, David Peachey, Shannon Hegarty, Mark Ellison (Assistant Coach), Eddie Farah (Physiotherapist), Shane Richardson (Chief Executive Officer).
Third row: Terry Coulits (Chiropractor), Troy Boston, Eddy Pettybourne, Beau Champion, Reece Simmonds, Eddie Paea, Joe Williams, Joe Galuvao, Joe Falemaka, Ben Rogers, Stuart Webb, Germaine Paulson, Russell Sneddon (Refreshment Steward).
Back row: Tony Henderson (Football Manager), Daniel Irvine, Yileen Gordon, Fetuli Talanoa, Paul Mellor, Jaiman Lowe, Shannon McPherson, Manase Manuokafoa, Luke Stuart, Scott Geddes, Issac Luke, Shane Rigon, Grant Duthie (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Nigel Vagana.
What happened at the Extraordinary General Meeting – Sunday 19 March 2006 that Peter Holmes à Court speaks about at the party at his house prior to the Roosters game?
On the morning of Sunday 19 March 2006, nearly 4000 of the South Sydney District Football Club’s Members descended on the Millennium Room at Telstra Stadium to vote on the biggest decision facing the Club in its 98 year history.
Members had to decide on whether the Club would remain 100% in the hands of it’s Members, or whether 75% of the Club would sold to Blackcourt League Investments, a company owned by South Sydney Life Member and Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe, and Australian businessman Peter Holmes à Court, for A$3 million.
To be passed, the proposal required 75% of the vote to be in favour of the change. Nearly 4000 Members entered, 49 Members aired their views in front of their peers, and the voting Membership accepted the proposal with 75.8% of the vote accepting the change.
The Chairman of the Football Club, Nicholas Pappas, described it as a momentous day for the Club, giving it the opportunity to at last operate on a level playing field with the other NRL Clubs.
“This has been people power at its most potent,” Mr Pappas said.
“Our supporters have given Peter and Russell an opportunity to unite this Club and make it a force again in the NRL.
“It also enshrines all core values that our Members hold so dear and ensures that the Club forever remains in Sydney.
“This is the mandate Members gave my Board and we have delivered on all our promises.
“This is a time for the entire South Sydney family to come together and embrace a bright new future for our much-loved Club.
“I congratulate Russell and Peter on the dedication they have shown towards our beloved Football Club and thank our Members for the magnificent manner in which they acquitted themselves today at such a critical moment in our Club’s history.”
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10/17/07 10:30pm – 11pm
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10/21/07 4:30pm – 5pm
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11/5/07 6pm - 6:30pm
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