Will Hamilton choice to become the Kangaroos, the Power or the Hawks?
HAMILTON'S newly merged football-netball club will become either the Hawks, the Kangaroos or the Power this week.
Members of former clubs Hamilton and Hamilton Imperials will tomorrow night vote on the name and moniker of the new entity for when it enters the Hampden league in 2013.
The name of the club will be either "Hamilton" or "Hamilton United". Its nickname will be the "Hawks", "Kangaroos" or "Power".
An eight-member interim board shortlisted the options after compiling the dozens of suggestions from people wanting to help shape the future of the club.
SED Advisory consulting manager Lachy Patterson, who is overseeing the merger process, said a vote at Hamilton Exhibition Centre would settle the most talked-about issue among Hamilton football and netball fans.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is likely to attract hundreds of people.
"Each of the eight interim board members were given a vote of preference," he said. "After much discussion and emotional and vigorous debate, agreement was reached on the three team options with two name variations you see today.
"Many conditions needed to be considered when short listing the options.
"Clashes with current Hampden clubs, licensing arrangements and associated costs with current AFL clubs, availability of stock.
"And, as has been made plainly obvious, ensuring there wasn't a perception of bias towards one club."
Former Hamilton resident Damian McGrath, of Melbourne company Picture Lab, has developed the uniform concepts, which could be modified after the vote.
McGrath has been a graphic designer for 15 years and has experience re-branding AFL clubs.
"Some Bulldogs supporters may say 'why doesn't the word Imperials appear in any of the options when Hamilton does'," Patterson said.
"This decision is based purely on the town we live in, Hamilton.
"It has nothing to do with former team names.
"This team needs Hamilton in its name, it's where we live, the town the team represents and the home of many businesses we hope will support us for many years to come."
Patterson said the two former clubs merging to create the new entity would remain integral parts of the Hamilton football story.
"Allowances will be made for both clubs' initials and the year they were formed," he said.
"These will be displayed prominently on the back of the jumper.
"Preliminary discussions have been held around football and netball teams wearing current strips when reunion games are played."
Patterson urged the Hamilton community to not criticise the interim board members, who he said were volunteers.
He said the name and moniker was unlikely to please everyone, but it was important the community accepted the outcome of the vote.
Former Western Border league clubs Hamilton and Hamilton Imperials announced in August they would unite and compete in the Hampden league from 2013.
The decision came after the release of a Southern Border Review, which called for merger, among other chan ges to football in the region.
afawkes@standard.fairfax.com.au