South Wales Scorpions are named

Wales’ newest professional rugby league club has been named “South Wales Scorpions RLFC”.

The newly formed club, who will play their home matches out of Neath RFC, open their inaugural Co-operative Championship 1 campaign with a home game against former Super League club, Workington Town, at The Gnoll on Sunday 28 February (kick-off 2pm).

The Scorpions moniker was chosen following an internet and radio campaign to suggest a nickname for the club. Congratulations must go to supporter James Bowes from Cardiff for originally suggesting the nickname. He will be sent two season tickets for the Scorpions as a prize.

“We’d like to thank all the fans for submitting their entries,” said Scorpions’ chairman Phil Davies. “We chose Scorpions above all other names as we felt we needed a new identity. It’s a new nickname for professional rugby league and one that is completely original for the area.

Of the two other possibilities, Celts had connotations from the Crusaders while Phoenix suggested a rising from the ashes. There have been a few suggestions that the mascot could be called “Sting” and the junior teams be known as “The Stingers”.

“We hope you all get behind the new team in the new year. I can further inform you that we have a website which is currently under construction at www.scorpionsrl.com. All the latest club news will be posted here for fans to read as soon as any is announced. The complete website, designed by a professional organisation, will be online before we kick off in February.

“I for one now can’t wait for 2010 to begin. In January, maybe before, we’ll be able to announce our head coach and after that, our squad. There are exciting times ahead as we continue to develop rugby league in Wales.”

The Scorpions have also launched their new badge which comes in two colours, the pink and black version will be the primary club badge and worn on the home kit while the yellow version will go on the away kit.