A POPULAR Melville BMX club catapulted into the spotlight for using the American Confederate flag as its logo has completed a re-brand.
The Southside BMX Club in Bull Creek adopted its original symbol at foundation in 1980 but was forced into a review in September after debate about its appropriateness.
The flag was first used during the American Civil War in the 1860s but is now often associated with white supremacist groups.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWClub president Sandra Winfield said the rebrand was done to stop the controversy.
“The club members were sad to see the flag go but understand that there are negative connotations associated with the Confederate flag and it would have continued to be an issue,” she said
“The members are happy with the new logo and proud to be wearing their new race gear.”
The new logo, designed in-house, retains the blue and red colour scheme, but now only features one star.
Ms Winfield said it was a nod to the club’s history of having stars on the flag. The logo has been applied to merchandise and uniforms, with new signage and stickers on the way.
Ms Winfield said the club was happy with the change.
“We did not see the Confederate flag as a representation of white supremacy, we just saw it as the Southside flag,” she said.
“Our club is known as a family-friendly, inclusive and tolerant group of people, so the flag and its negative connotations (were not) an accurate symbol to represent us.”
A spokesman for the State Government said it offered the club $10,000 to “offset costs associated with replacing uniforms and signage”.
Ms Winfield said the assistance was a massive boost, with the club unable to complete the re-brand without it.
MORE: Dozens of veterans to spend Anzac Day homeless on Perth streets
