Monday 24 March, the day I had eagerly awaited since the ARU first announced that Australia would finally have a third-tier competition, will be remembered as a dark day. It was the day I learned that the Canberra delegation would be known as the University of Canberra Vikings.
To those not familiar with the Canberra rugby landscape, my disappointment may seem irrational, a little bitter or downright rude. But this is a response I feel will be shared with the majority of the population of Canberra that live north of Mawson.
Canberra has a rich history of local rugby. People are passionate about their game in all corners of the capital – from the proud men of the Canberra Royals, who have produced a number of internationals from their shed opposite Canberra Hospital, to the Mighty Queanbeyan Whites, who are often found queuing up for beers at Walsh’s (just kidding – I meant the Royal).
Administrators of this new team are limiting their potential fan-base by calling the representative team after a local team of the same name.
It’s like forming an ANZAC team to represent the Oceania region and just calling them the Oceania All Blacks, or having a Victorian AFL team to represent all of Victoria and call them the Victorian Magpies. You are already ostracising the rest of Canberra’s strong rugby community by calling them the Vikings.
They could have brought back the Kookaburras. Much like Back to the Future, The Beatles and Hypercolor t-shirts, the classics never go out of fashion and are always popular. They could’ve guaranteed the support of every single red-blooded rugby supporter in the capital, but money and power have won over commonsense in this regard.
But it’s not all about the name. There’s the colour of the jersey. As silly as the Canberra North/South divide often is, you’ll be hard pressed finding a staunch Uni-Norths supporter donning the red and white of the Vikings whether they were called Tuggeranong or Canberra.
Then there’s the economics side of things. Tuggeranong continues to have financial strength to build and maintain Canberra’s best rugby facilities, while nearly all other clubs run their operations out of the homes of volunteers and businesses of their generous sponsors. Call it envy if you like; call it jealousy, even. But the disparity is real and the resentment is present.
While I respect and even applaud The Viking Group for stepping up to helm the Canberra representative team, I cannot in good conscience follow a team bearing the name, logo and colours of the enemy. Canberra is a small town with very strong loyalties, and my loyalties lie elsewhere. If you want this Canberran venture to really take off, don’t shun your strongest rugby supporters.
The local Canberra rugby community – the players, the volunteers, the supporters – are the backbone of rugby in this town. If they weren’t around, we’d all be playing league. Or worse still, AFL. Keep it inclusive, keep it neutral.
Furthermore, I read today that all home games will be played in Tuggeranong at Viking Park, which just further reinforces that this is a Tuggeranong Vikings team and not an inclusive Canberran team.
Going on what has already been released in the press, the name of the team is a done deal and the home ground is also a done deal.
So if bringing back the Kookaburras is not on the cards and we must support a team called the Vikings at Viking Park, at least give us neutral colours and jerseys to support. Please don’t go with the red and white of Tuggeranong, as was the case with the previous Canberra Vikings entity.
Stick with tradition – the native gold, white and navy blue of the ACT will not fail us. If you give me this much I will buy a membership, I will buy some merchandise and I will go to all the home games, even if they’re at Viking Park.
Phill
Guest
In 2017 it has become a complete farce. The Tuggeranong Group now has the franchise for the NRC team, the Canberra Viking, for the next three years. This is despite the repeated assurances the Brumbies would take over the side and it would be known as the Kookaburras and be representative of all the clubs. This decision was taken some weeks ago and was not mentioned at the AGM. No doubt the Vikings will be pushing the line to the better players that if you want to play NRC play for Tuggeranong. The local competition is already in trouble and this will add to the difficulties faced. Tuggeranong has won five out of the last six first grade grand finals and dominated all lower grades.
Homer J
Guest
I disagree Rath. I played in the ACT comp for a long time and was on my club committee for a number of years. One of the major problems we had in generating player numbers/quality was that any local junior of talent from the major rugby school like St Edmunds, went to Tuggies it was seen as the only pathway to representative success. There are other clubs with good finances, like Wests, but Tuggies paid their players, had the only professional rugby support and coaching set up and imported players to build depth. Even uni students new to the state chose Tuggies over the uni clubs to further their ambitions, and that created a very artificial divide in the comp despite the history, standards and success of clubs like Royals and Wests. Now with the UCV team that will only get worse as players will be under the perception they are playing for the Vikings not the ACT. Congratulations to Tuggies for putting their money on the line and yes their ground is pretty good but my old club continues to bleed quality players to Tuggies despite having the largest junior base in the comp and this will only get worse. What club do you think Hugh Roach played for when he was in town? Ill give the tip, it wasn't easts. If the UCV advertised a recruitment strategy among the local comp, held trial games, sent coaches to work with the clubs that may help to build the community spirit and give the impression that if you play for Uni Norths you have just as much chance to play NRC as they guys at Tuggies. Oh and change the jumper.
2620
Guest
Large profits from poker machines is what props up the Vikings Cheque book, and their cheque book style of Rugby. If you wonder why Tuggeranong is much despised in the ACT Rugby, it's the in your face "we have all the money and we hold all the power" attitude. Without the other " lounge room" run clubs Tuggers wouldn't exist. Get over yourselves, get rid of the jumper and do something positive for a change in the rugby community, that isn't a financial decision based on self grandiose ideals.
FD
Guest
I don't care. I used to play for Royals back the day, but rugby is rugby. I live in Singapore and fly in for every Brumbies game. I'll do the same for the UC Vikings, regardless of the colours they wear.
TommyM
Guest
Imagine a couple wants to have their wedding in some distant, expensive place. 80% of the family and friends they invite say- "I'm sorry, but I just can't or won't be able to come if you have it in that location. Can't you have it somewhere closer?" The couple say- "No, it's our wedding. We'll do what we want". So they have the wedding and lo-and-behold, only 20% of the guests attend. The couple are angry and say- 'Why didn't you come?' The people who missed out on going say- 'How bizarre that they wouldn't just have the wedding some where we could/would attend". I am (fortunately) in Melbourne and so only have to deal with an awful name, but will have no other issues getting behind the Melbourne-based team. Yes, The Vikings should get some reward for their enormous input to setting up and running the team, but is having a neutral jersey (and possibly name?) really that huge a sacrifice for allowing those who WANT to support the team to do so? Will they be happier with crowds of 2000 and a Vikings jersey on the players than with crowds of 5000 and a 'Kookaburras' jersey? The phrase 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' comes to mind.
mogga
Guest
Like i said,the colours should reflex all of canberra and if it doesn`t go that way, the support for this venture from what i have read will be limited and that would be a shame, because as a concept it has positives such as for a good young player who has been overlooked before may shine at this level and may get chance at higher honours
Robert Dowling
Guest
I honestly think NSw country are going to be the most heavily supported team in the competition! Even my leaguey mates are excited about the prospect of the NSW Country Breakers!
mogga
Guest
As someone looking outside of the argument,i can see mac`s side as well as jerseysure and mark`s, you are all passionate about rugby and your clubs and a desire to see the game grow,`so as someone who played sixteen season`s of grade rugby in sydney i know how you feel.It will be important that some common ground is made and it should be made in the colours and the colours should reflex all of canberra and vikings should stay as the team`s name so get behind it and enjoy it.
kapow
Guest
So reading all the above comments, It seems that the Vikings Group have stepped in to ensure this team is both financial and has the required infrastructure meeting the parameters set by the ARU. It makes sense that they should be able to stipulate some terms of their support (colours and name). It seems the worst possible situation would be if Vikings ended up pulling their funding. Whatever happens they are on a hiding to nothing, keep the other local clubs happy or have a say in the branding of the team that they are funding. One poster commented that this financial backing from Vikings should be a given and that it is their duty to local rugby. Strange and weak argument right there. I live in a house so is it my personal duty to ensure that all the homeless population have a place to live? Looks like Vikings are being punished in the eyes of the community for having strong business acumen and sound governance
Subsy
Guest
Well said Mac, I think if this is the prevailing view the Vikings group should pull their funding and tell them to play at Jamo. I'm sure that would make a great advertisement for the local comp on pay TV.
Troy Denton
Guest
I began reading some of the original posts which I either agreed with or became infuriated with. My opinion, like many, believe that the funding is a necessary part for the Canberra team to succeed. However, the name and jersey is a major put off for many of the true local rugby supporters in Canberra who have followed their first grade senior clubs for decades. But when we already have our Brumbies to support, and while the Wallabies and the Canberra Raiders are still playing, I can tell you that for majority of people I have spoken on the north side have said that they will just not bother supporting the team. At the end of the day, regardless if people believe it's being petty, they're losing a lot of fans. I for one won't bother to make the trip to support the Vikings, I'll just continue to support the Brumbies, Raiders and Wallabies.
Troy Denton
Guest
I began reading some of the original posts which I either agreed with or became infuriated with. My opinion, like many, believe that the funding is a necessary part for the Canberra team to succeed. However, the name and jersey is a major put off for many of the true local rugby supporters in Canberra who have followed their first grade senior clubs for decades. But when we already have our Brumbies to support, and while the Wallabies and the Canberra Raiders are still playing, I can tell you that for majority of people I have spoken on the north side have said that they will just not bother supporting the team. At the end of the day, regardless if people believe it's being petty, they're losing a lot of fans. I for one won't bother to make the trip to support the Vikings, I'll just continue to support the Brumbies, Raiders and Wallabies.
Magic Sponge
Guest
At the end of the day it is a couple of home games at the end of the year, by then I will have gone to plenty of club rugby games and hope to see Easts play in the semis play offs, the odd S15 games and the wallaby games to not really care about this competition as I have spent enough on rugby, I may go to a game out of curiousity and if my mates are interested and drag me along for a couple of beers. I don't think people will really care how their team goes or if they win a premiership etc, it is not like supporting the mighty Roosters in the NRL. Way too much is being made of the NRC. Too be credible it should be at the beginning of the year.
2620
Guest
Easts also assisted the Vikings get established. It was a collaborative effort by the older clubs. Easts also assisted the Mighty Whites get established in the 50's. Pity they have been at their lowest ebb lately and none of the other clubs have assisted them in any way that is long term or sustainable - Easts probably won't survive much longer if the current attitude to the comp from the Brumbies/Vikings continues.
Brendan
Guest
In response to Mac's post on 26 March. "Incredible short sightedness here from jealous people!" is a pretty ignorant statement, as is an assumption that clubs are still being run by the same people that were at the helm when licensed premises folded. Mac I have been involved with Royals as a volunteer administrator for the last 11 years. The demise of our licensed club structure is ancient history. We've still managed to remain competitive and most importantly, retain a strong and vibrant culture - which no amount of money can buy. This is about building a brand and culture around the Canberra team that is inclusive and engages the whole community. It's really short sighted to think it's anything more than that. Royals will encourage and support all of our players to further representative duties in the NRC team. I believe very much though that if The Vikings and UC looked beyond name and colours towards building something really inclusive, it would build a much more successful culture and following.
Mike
Guest
Wests are run out of a lounge room are they? Southo Jamison May no longer be called the WDRUC (mainly cause the dummies on the board ran it into a massive hole) but $120k from them in the kick of the Rugby club doesn't seem like lounge room money, unless it's from....wait for it.......their Pokie Lounge.
Chivas
Guest
90 %. Really and you think that is a reasonable cross section if rugby fans? For the record, I don't agree with Larry and his condescending tone, but there are always defeatists. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Larry just represents a group of people who share their opinion willingly but lack the courage or fortitude to do anything about it. I have more respect for those that try and fail than those that don't try. As I said if there is something in it for Viking management I imagine though that it may well be an extension of the Vikings club in terms of shared services and the like, so how this would be better for them needs to be considered. But I can see no reason not to table the alternatives personally. It may very well be a dead duck, but you don't know if you don't ask.
T Primmer
Guest
Larry read the whole thread, 90% of people are not happy Champ!!
Chivas
Guest
No I don't Mark. But I imagine if you have something that is a genuine win for them, they would be interested. I find most people are if you approach it with integrity and honesty.
T Primmer
Guest
If my memory severs me correctly the Mighty Whites and Royals lent Tuggernong the money to get started. So the compertition could grow! No one is denying their success just more community spirit, everyone needs a big brother or a helping hand at some stage! Kudos for the Vikings money let rugby be the real winner!