The Club Emblem
The beginnings of the Somerville Hockey Club are symbolised in the Somerville emblem. Designed by club member, Barry Parmenter, in consultation with experts in heraldry from the Elam School of Fine Arts, the final design was unanimously approved by the Somerville Executive in November, 1964.
According to the norms of heraldry, the emblem should be viewed as if looking through from behind. It consists of a Saltaire shield mounted within crossed hockey sticks, surmounted by a ship and a mural crown.
The shield is supported by a Lion rampant on the right hand (dexter) side and a Greyhound rampant on the left hand (sinister) side. The diagonal white cross on a blue background symbolises the founders of the Somerville Club, the Primary School Old Boys, whose colours were blue with a white sash and, our early associations with the Somervell Presbyterian Church, through the St Andrews’s cross.
The ship and mural crown above the shield represent Auckland and a stronghold respectively, whilst the crossed hockey sticks below represent the sport. These groups combined symbolise “a stronghold of the sport in Auckland”. The supporters associate the Club with the name Somerville. The Lion stands for courage and strength on the right hand (dexter) side of the shield, and the Greyhound on the left hand (sinister) side, stands for speed and agility.
This emblem is seen on all club memorabilia and playing shirts.