Ocean Grove Soccer Club born out of name change

AN Ocean Grove-based soccer club will be known by a different name moving forward.

The formerly named Surfside Waves Soccer Club, has made the call to change its name to the Ocean Grove Soccer Club.

“This decision was a difficult one, but an unavoidable one,” the club said in a statement to its members.

“Our current committee battled with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), MyGov and ASIC over the business registration and trying to update details.

“Essentially we were locked out of any online platforms and unable to lodge the necessary annual paperwork required of a non-profit organisation.

“The advice we received from the ATO and Football Victoria was to reregister a new ABN. We did this as Ocean Grove Soccer Club.”

The club has also rebranded by updating to its club logo to “evolve” with the new name change.

The updated logo is designed with elements of the club’s ‘Waves’ moniker, which has been in place since the club’s founding in 1996.

The club also confirmed it will retain its colours, “Waves” nickname, and structure in keeping with its constitution.

“While this may come as a surprise to many and a disappointment to the older members of our club, we see this as a positive and progressive move forward for Ocean Grove Soccer Club,” the statement said.

The club listed four key benefits it will receive as a direct result of the name change such as targeting new streams of grants, not being misidentified as Surf Coast FC, opposition teams having a better understanding of where the club is based, and more lucrative sponsorship opportunities with local businesses.