A sporting team isn't a sporting team unless its fans have a collective noun. Just imagine Ferrari without the Tifosi, the English Cricket Team without The Barmy Army, the Green Bay Packers without the Cheeseheads or soccer without hooligans. They add colour, passion and, in the case of soccer, flares and occasionally violence. But it's good, and potentially even inspirational, for the team to see the organised craziness in the cheap seats. It's occasionally also profitable.
So whichever way you look at it, it's time for Waratahs fans to get organised - and get a name.
Supporter names are traditionally a soccer phenomenon, and a South American one at that (with thanks to Wikipedia for that little gem). Known as the Barra Brava, just check out some of the (translated) names of these soccer team supporter groups: The Drunkards of the Terrace (River Plate), Those of Always (Colon), The Sky Blue Pirates of Alberdi (Belgrano), The Gang, The Inimitable, the Brave, the White Pest and many many more including those that are probably a little lost in translation such as The Most Popular Supporters, The Moron Drunkards, High Tension, Southern Red Wine Revolution and The Checkered Stain.
Australian A-League teams have been getting in on the act too. Sydney FC have The Cove, Central Coast Mariners have the Yellow Army, the Newcastle Jets have The Squadron and, perhaps most famously given their team's support and debut performance, Western Sydney Wanderers' Red and Black Bloc got plenty of publicity for themselves and their team.
But don't think that Rugby hasn't been getting in on the act. In Dunedin The Zoo, all those students in fancy dress behind the goal posts, have been getting plenty of TV coverage, though the female students in midriff baring tops may have something to do with that (just as well they're in an indoor stadium these days).
The Melbourne Rebels have the Rebel Army, just one of innumerable supporters groups around the world to have borrowed the 'Army' term for their group from the Barmy Army. Indeed just about every colour of the spectrum has a supporters' army, including the Green Army (Plymouth Argyle - soccer), the Yellow Army (Central Coast Mariners), Blue Army (FC Bruges), Red Army (the Chinese military - that's sort of a sport), Black Army 1850 (Chivas USA soccer) and the Purple Army (Melbourne Storm Rugby League) amongst many more.
Unfortunately for Waratahs fans looking for a simple name for their collective noun, the Sky Blue Army is already being used by Coventry City FC supporters. So it's back to the drawing board. Recently, the Rolling Maul arranged for a bit of a brainstorming session with some like-minded Waratahs fans (the half dozen or so that remain) to come up with a group term. Some of the names suggested included Tah Tahs, The Few, The Despondent and Still Waiting.
But after sewing our sides back together and repositioning our heads after they fell off what with all the laughter, and now that the Tahs have 'turned the corner', there's a bit more urgency to find a name in time for the hordes of spectators poised to attend games. Some ideas discussed and dismissed include The Bouquet (of Waratahs), Tatafu's Tantrums, the Matt Dunning Appreciation Society, Where's Phil War?, and Tah Men.
But the winner is (insert drum roll)
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. keep going
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So whichever way you look at it, it's time for Waratahs fans to get organised - and get a name.
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| Now that's how you support a soccer team |
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| The Red and Black Bloc doing a reasonable interpretation of a Barra Brava |
But don't think that Rugby hasn't been getting in on the act. In Dunedin The Zoo, all those students in fancy dress behind the goal posts, have been getting plenty of TV coverage, though the female students in midriff baring tops may have something to do with that (just as well they're in an indoor stadium these days).
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| Some of the attractions at The Zoo |
Unfortunately for Waratahs fans looking for a simple name for their collective noun, the Sky Blue Army is already being used by Coventry City FC supporters. So it's back to the drawing board. Recently, the Rolling Maul arranged for a bit of a brainstorming session with some like-minded Waratahs fans (the half dozen or so that remain) to come up with a group term. Some of the names suggested included Tah Tahs, The Few, The Despondent and Still Waiting.
But after sewing our sides back together and repositioning our heads after they fell off what with all the laughter, and now that the Tahs have 'turned the corner', there's a bit more urgency to find a name in time for the hordes of spectators poised to attend games. Some ideas discussed and dismissed include The Bouquet (of Waratahs), Tatafu's Tantrums, the Matt Dunning Appreciation Society, Where's Phil War?, and Tah Men.
But the winner is (insert drum roll)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. keep going
.
.
.
.
.
Introducing
THE POD (of New South Whales)
Admittedly it's maybe the best of any average bunch, so your suggestions are welcome. The Pod will need some songs too, so for starters there's Will Izzy Stay or Will He Go? and We All Live in Overpriced Housing (to the tune of Yellow Submarine).
Let the recruiting begin.
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