With a recent discussion of "New England" (see the end of the Brisbane Bandits "controversy thread"... as if I need to point more people there), I wondered how many of the teams in Oceania Pro are actually geographically in Oceania.This has been a very minor source of contention in GLB, and instead of spouting off about why teams should or should not be required to name their teams based on their region, I thought I'd just look at how many teams in our humble league fall within our humble region. Here's my analysis of each team. I'm giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and stretching each name as much as I can, as well as stretching Oceania as far as geopolitcally can be done.
Alpha
Brisbane Bandits - Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia. Australia, is typically (but not always) considered part of Oceania, so the Bandits are in.
Canberra Strike - Canberra is the capital of Australia, and accordingly, the Strike are in Oceania.
Newcastle Bearcats - Newcastle is the name of several places in Australia, most notably a metropolis in New South Wales. The Bearcats are in Oceania.
New England Burning Pride - While the Pride, based on their players' names, may have named their team as a tribute to the New England Patriots of Massachusetts, "New England" is not just an American place. Keeping in mind that England colonized much of the world, including Australia, "New England" is also the name of a highlands region in New South Wales, Australia. At this point, the top 4 Alpha finishers are all in Oceania.
Emerald City Flying Monkeys - While "Emerald City" is the capital of the Land of Oz in the famous "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" books, it is also a common nickname for Sydney, Australia, most likely because "Oz" sounds like the first syllable of "AUS-tralia". Accordingly, Emerald City is in.
Fiji Sea Turtles - Fiji, while a small island nation, is a major player in Oceania, and the Sea Turtles represent their natives well.
Auckland Flames - The City of Sails is the most populous spread in New Zealand, and New Zealand is in Oceania.
Carabao Buffalos - This redundantly named team (Carabao IS a water buffalo) is the first that might be pushing its luck. Carabao is the name of a small island in the Philippines. While the Philippines are an island nation in the Pacific (the most common trait of an Oceania native), the vast majority of people place the Philippines in Southeast Asia... not Oceania. It's very close, but no cigar. This would be sort of like the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB - I'll count it as half.
Perth Scorpions - Back on track here, as Perth is the name of many places in Oceania, including cities in Tasmania and Western Australia.
Aussie Cardinals - Though they don't get points for originality, the Cardinals are from some undisclosed location in Australia, and are in.
Wagga Wagga Fighting Squirrels - Sounds made up? Yep. Exists in Oceania? You betcha. Wagga Wagga is in New South Wales.
Syndey Seahawks - Noted for its Opera House and recent host of the Olympics, Syndey is definitely in Oceania.
Tasmania Devils - An Australian Island and State, this area is most noted for the team's very mascot - the Tasmanian Devil. 12.5 out of 13 for Alpha.
Sparta Spartans - I just tried for some time, but I unfortunately could not find any Sparta in Oceania. I know Sparta is a common name, so I could likely be wrong here, but for now, no dice.
Hollywood Decepticons - The best I can do here is say that Hollywood, California, movie capital of the world, is now frequently using places in Australia and New Zealand for filming, because of the both beautiful and largely undeveloped areas. Unfortunately, it's still not in Oceania.
Midd-West Mustangs - The only real Midd-West I can find is a school district in Pennsylvania, but in general, it could be just considered a direction. I'm going to declare it void for vagueness though, until proven otherwise.
Total count on Alpha: 12 of 16 definitely in Oceania, 1 really close to Oceania, 1 vaguely could be in Oceania, and 2 that are not.
Zeta
Brisbane Gods - See above for Bandits.
Tongan Crimson Auha - Probably my favorite name in Oceania Pro, Tonga is an archipelago that is always considered part of Oceania.
Rawle Tech Titans - I did a lot of searching, but came up blank. As best as I can figure, this is a fictional college named after someone's last name.
The U Canes - As if their name wasn't clear enough, their avatars make it very apparent that these are just a not-so-subtly veiled allusion to the University of Miami Hurricanes. While I stretched, I could not find anywhere in Oceania nicknamed, "The U". They're a no go.
Vincennes Vampires - Again, while I'd love to be proven wrong, I can only find a Vincennes in France and Indiana. The French had little business in Oceania other than French Polynesia, so as I expected, I'm currently ruling this one out.
Nauru Tiger Sharks - Another name in Oceania Pro that I love, Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic! It also happens to be in Oceania, so this owner did his research. Zeta is currently batting .500.
Las Vegas Outlaws - Tried as I could, I found nothing in Oceania on Las Vegas. Although I was surprised to find several Las Vegas(es) outside of Nevada.
IC Incinerators - Unfortunately, I've got nothing on what IC mysteriously stands for. I tried applying it to several locations, but I failed. IC is actually the country code for the Canary Islands, which are in a separate Ocean. IC is out until further notice.
FFLivewire Cans - I could sort of see this like Japanese pro baseball, where the team names are frequently a Sponsor and a mascot, with no city or location, like the Orix Buffalos (found in Osaka). I'll let it slide as a half, like the Carabao Buffalos, if they pick somewhere based in Oceania.
Bermuda Pirates - I found several Bermudas, none in Oceania. Right island mentality, wrong Ocean.
Big Island Growas - Well, there ARE a lot of BIG Islands in Oceania. I couldn't find an actual "Big Island", although it has been used as slang for Hawaii, and once or twice, Australia. I said I would give teams the benefit of the doubt, so these guys are in.
Saipan Fighters - Saipan is the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, which are almost always considered part of Oceania. Great name!
Outback Astronauts - People are very familiar with the Australian Outback, and other Outbacks in Oceania. The 'Nauts are in.
Kiribati Blitz - A great team name and a great nation. Both, in Oceania. They need Japan and the UK to survive, but they hold their own.
Great Barrier Reef Sharks - While it would be very unlikely to play football on the Great Barrier Reef, it nonetheless is a huge part of Oceania, and often considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Leverkusen Tornados - Leverkusen is only in Germany, and doesn't sound anything like anything in Oceania. I could be wrong, but here, it's unlikely.
Total count on Zeta: 8 of 16 definitely in Oceania, 1 sponsored team from Oceania, 1 unknown (IC), and 6 that are not.
Overall, not bad... with about 60% definitely part of the region. I think we can do better if we wanted. There's so many other great names out there like Vanuatu, Palau, Pago Pago, and more.
So now the discussion:
A) Am I wrong about any of the teams I've researched and found to not be in Oceania?
B) Is this much of an issue? I know it's been debated before, and most have said that they don't care. I'm largely indifferent, but I do think Oceania is an awesome region with great sounding names, so teams should want to take advantage of the area. Thoughts?
P.S. - Yes, I loved Carmen Sandiego.
Alpha
Brisbane Bandits - Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia. Australia, is typically (but not always) considered part of Oceania, so the Bandits are in.
Canberra Strike - Canberra is the capital of Australia, and accordingly, the Strike are in Oceania.
Newcastle Bearcats - Newcastle is the name of several places in Australia, most notably a metropolis in New South Wales. The Bearcats are in Oceania.
New England Burning Pride - While the Pride, based on their players' names, may have named their team as a tribute to the New England Patriots of Massachusetts, "New England" is not just an American place. Keeping in mind that England colonized much of the world, including Australia, "New England" is also the name of a highlands region in New South Wales, Australia. At this point, the top 4 Alpha finishers are all in Oceania.
Emerald City Flying Monkeys - While "Emerald City" is the capital of the Land of Oz in the famous "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" books, it is also a common nickname for Sydney, Australia, most likely because "Oz" sounds like the first syllable of "AUS-tralia". Accordingly, Emerald City is in.
Fiji Sea Turtles - Fiji, while a small island nation, is a major player in Oceania, and the Sea Turtles represent their natives well.
Auckland Flames - The City of Sails is the most populous spread in New Zealand, and New Zealand is in Oceania.
Carabao Buffalos - This redundantly named team (Carabao IS a water buffalo) is the first that might be pushing its luck. Carabao is the name of a small island in the Philippines. While the Philippines are an island nation in the Pacific (the most common trait of an Oceania native), the vast majority of people place the Philippines in Southeast Asia... not Oceania. It's very close, but no cigar. This would be sort of like the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB - I'll count it as half.
Perth Scorpions - Back on track here, as Perth is the name of many places in Oceania, including cities in Tasmania and Western Australia.
Aussie Cardinals - Though they don't get points for originality, the Cardinals are from some undisclosed location in Australia, and are in.
Wagga Wagga Fighting Squirrels - Sounds made up? Yep. Exists in Oceania? You betcha. Wagga Wagga is in New South Wales.
Syndey Seahawks - Noted for its Opera House and recent host of the Olympics, Syndey is definitely in Oceania.
Tasmania Devils - An Australian Island and State, this area is most noted for the team's very mascot - the Tasmanian Devil. 12.5 out of 13 for Alpha.
Sparta Spartans - I just tried for some time, but I unfortunately could not find any Sparta in Oceania. I know Sparta is a common name, so I could likely be wrong here, but for now, no dice.
Hollywood Decepticons - The best I can do here is say that Hollywood, California, movie capital of the world, is now frequently using places in Australia and New Zealand for filming, because of the both beautiful and largely undeveloped areas. Unfortunately, it's still not in Oceania.
Midd-West Mustangs - The only real Midd-West I can find is a school district in Pennsylvania, but in general, it could be just considered a direction. I'm going to declare it void for vagueness though, until proven otherwise.
Total count on Alpha: 12 of 16 definitely in Oceania, 1 really close to Oceania, 1 vaguely could be in Oceania, and 2 that are not.
Zeta
Brisbane Gods - See above for Bandits.
Tongan Crimson Auha - Probably my favorite name in Oceania Pro, Tonga is an archipelago that is always considered part of Oceania.
Rawle Tech Titans - I did a lot of searching, but came up blank. As best as I can figure, this is a fictional college named after someone's last name.
The U Canes - As if their name wasn't clear enough, their avatars make it very apparent that these are just a not-so-subtly veiled allusion to the University of Miami Hurricanes. While I stretched, I could not find anywhere in Oceania nicknamed, "The U". They're a no go.
Vincennes Vampires - Again, while I'd love to be proven wrong, I can only find a Vincennes in France and Indiana. The French had little business in Oceania other than French Polynesia, so as I expected, I'm currently ruling this one out.
Nauru Tiger Sharks - Another name in Oceania Pro that I love, Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic! It also happens to be in Oceania, so this owner did his research. Zeta is currently batting .500.
Las Vegas Outlaws - Tried as I could, I found nothing in Oceania on Las Vegas. Although I was surprised to find several Las Vegas(es) outside of Nevada.
IC Incinerators - Unfortunately, I've got nothing on what IC mysteriously stands for. I tried applying it to several locations, but I failed. IC is actually the country code for the Canary Islands, which are in a separate Ocean. IC is out until further notice.
FFLivewire Cans - I could sort of see this like Japanese pro baseball, where the team names are frequently a Sponsor and a mascot, with no city or location, like the Orix Buffalos (found in Osaka). I'll let it slide as a half, like the Carabao Buffalos, if they pick somewhere based in Oceania.
Bermuda Pirates - I found several Bermudas, none in Oceania. Right island mentality, wrong Ocean.
Big Island Growas - Well, there ARE a lot of BIG Islands in Oceania. I couldn't find an actual "Big Island", although it has been used as slang for Hawaii, and once or twice, Australia. I said I would give teams the benefit of the doubt, so these guys are in.
Saipan Fighters - Saipan is the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, which are almost always considered part of Oceania. Great name!
Outback Astronauts - People are very familiar with the Australian Outback, and other Outbacks in Oceania. The 'Nauts are in.
Kiribati Blitz - A great team name and a great nation. Both, in Oceania. They need Japan and the UK to survive, but they hold their own.
Great Barrier Reef Sharks - While it would be very unlikely to play football on the Great Barrier Reef, it nonetheless is a huge part of Oceania, and often considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Leverkusen Tornados - Leverkusen is only in Germany, and doesn't sound anything like anything in Oceania. I could be wrong, but here, it's unlikely.
Total count on Zeta: 8 of 16 definitely in Oceania, 1 sponsored team from Oceania, 1 unknown (IC), and 6 that are not.
Overall, not bad... with about 60% definitely part of the region. I think we can do better if we wanted. There's so many other great names out there like Vanuatu, Palau, Pago Pago, and more.
So now the discussion:
A) Am I wrong about any of the teams I've researched and found to not be in Oceania?
B) Is this much of an issue? I know it's been debated before, and most have said that they don't care. I'm largely indifferent, but I do think Oceania is an awesome region with great sounding names, so teams should want to take advantage of the area. Thoughts?
P.S. - Yes, I loved Carmen Sandiego.
Last edited May 31, 2008 11:36:09
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