Australian football
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THE Giants name has been scrapped as the Griffith Swans move towards reunification of a club that was threatened by a growing divide at junior level.
The city's second junior Australian rules club will no longer bear the name and colours of the Greater Western Sydney Giants after club officials sought to stamp out "minor division" between the Giants and the Swans camps.
This year, Griffith's two teams in the South West Junior Football League will be known as Swans Red and Swans White. Both sides will wear identical uniforms and the Giants guernsey will only be used by the away team in local derbies.
GWS donated guernseys when the second club was formed for the 2011 season as the AFL expansion side looked to spread its brand across country NSW.
However, president Jeff Harris said it naturally caused fractions between the teams.
"At the time it was a fairly logical decision but hindsight gives you the opportunity to review that and put a few things in place to make sure it's the best it can be," Harris said.
"It was creating a bit of differentiation and rivalry between the two, and a minor degree of division.
"This was a chance to set up our structures a little better and create that more inclusive environment."
Harris added he was disappointed with the lack of engagement from the GWS Giants since providing the guernseys in late 2010.
"We are in their recruitment zone but as far as seeing players out here, it was non-existent," he said.
Harris said the club will be only too happy to go back to its red and white roots given Griffith celebrates its centenary this year.
"The red and white is footy in Griffith and particularly in the 100th year of the club, it's pretty essential for those guys to be fully included in that and see themselves as part of the club," Harris said.
"It certainly aligns our two junior clubs much more closely with the seniors and their pathways."