“The vision of Vikings Rugby continues to be dominated by an inherent desire to offer its players the very best level of rugby”

Committee News - April 2009

Vikings Rugby Club Committee News - April 2009

·Thank you letter received from Fran Raymond regarding the sponsorship provided by the rugby club for the Kakoda trail challenge to raise funds for schools and medical clinics in Port Moresby.

·Letter received from Eureka Rugby stating their withdrawal from our competition.

·Letter received from Community Rugby regarding the approval of under age players playing in senior grades.

·Chris Slack passed around the 3 rugby invites for May - Ladies Day, Sponsors Day and Season Launch. Invites will be sent out on Tuesday 21^st April.

·Chris mentioned that Dick Zutt had done a good job with the registrations - John McGrath asked that players be reminded that if they have not paid registration they will not be covered for a Physio rebate

·Chris Slack handed out the proposed Beyond Blue jersey design provided by Kooga for comment.

·Chris Slack mentioned that the polo shirts had arrived from Kooga and the Hoodies should arrive before the season starts.

·Chris Slack mentioned that the apparel contract was due for renewal and stated that he had approached LWR and Samurai for a proposal, he will also be contacting Kooga - Committee agreed that a two year deal with an option to extend should be sort.

·Glen stated that things were going well and we were looking good as a Club however a point for us to work on as a club is our mental toughness.

·Glen mentioned that TransACT Shield now through two rounds and we are looking well for the final but stated it was a shame that our pool is only decided by First Grade.

·A number of high profile players have returned or are due to return to playing including Emile Wessels, Isikeli Ratilevu, Irwan Finau and Tim Curren

·John Ulugia has been a great addition to the 1^st grade side and relished his opportunity to captain the side in Albury

·Registration going well as previously mentioned with the ultimate aim being 100% coverage.

·Juniors are pushing to possibly have two teams in the under 18's, one in the Black Division and one in Gold.

·VikingsAcademywill be having a short break due to the school holidays.

·The April rugby skills camp was held on the 14^th and 15^th of April that went really well with a couple of good players identified for Vikings Academy.

·Friday night football will commence at Viking park from the 1^st May for the under 7s and 8s and will continue all season - David Assenheim mentioned that Committee members should attended as much as possible to show our support. If seniors are playing on Friday night they will commence after the kids.

·Dean Browne asked if Emile was coaching the Erindale College side and congratulated him on a great job he was doing.

·John McGrath asked when the Brumbies French tour will be held. Proposed dates TBC 1^st to the 10^th August - John raised the issue of players playing in higher grades due to the tour and not getting enough games in the lower grades to qualify for the finals - David to raise at the Presidents meeting.

·Back to Vikings Day discussion lead by Dean Browne, points of note;

oDean requested that the lower grades play on the Friday night to free them up for Saturday

oDean asked that the Back To Vikings Day flyer be sent out on the weekly view and added to the website

oFurther additions are required to be added to the memorial list to remember passed on players

oDean has mentioned the day on all Vikings references on Facebook

oDean requested assistance from Admin for the design and sale of tickets to the day

·Mick Bryant raised the issue of not having a baby's change area/table at Viking Park - He requested that the Disabled toilets also be upgraded to a parent's room.

·Geoff Adam asked about getting the Gecko Gang back for all games however due to costs they will only be present during big games i.e. Sponsors Day, Ladies Day

·Discussion re the ability to field 1^st Division and 4^th Grade had by the Committee points of note;

oIt was raised if we have enough players to field both teams, at this stage we have had a lot of 1^st Div players attend training and games but not many 4^th Graders - Glen to work out on paper who we have and potential squads from that.

oIt was raised that we still do not have a 4^th grade coach, Tony Lynch agreed to help out and be a point of contact until a coach is found - John McGrath to approach a number of people and seek their assistance