The current name and sponsor of the Canberra team in the National Rugby Championship has been debated since the end of the tournament last year.
But today it’s been confirmed that both the Vikings name and the University of Canberra as sponsors will continue on, at least for 2016, with the Vikings Group and the University signing a one-year sponsorship deal.
After the 2016 season, the release from the Brumbies states, the intention would be for the club to rebrand to the Canberra Kookaburras, as had been widely touted in the media for the last six months.
It was determined that the sponsorship was essential, and the Vikings management of the club was crucial for the side to play in the 2016 NRC.
Interim Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson was pleased that the side would appear in the NRC once again in 2016.
“We are very grateful that both the University of Canberra and Vikings Group have agreed to a new one-year deal.”
“This will allow Brumbies contracted players and John I Dent Cup players the opportunity to take part in the national competition again in 2016.
“As we have seen over the past two years, the NRC provides a great pathway for ACT & Southern NSW players to elite rugby and has given homegrown players valuable experience in a professional rugby environment.
“A great example would be Joe Powell. After strong performances in local juniors and the John I Dent Cup, Powell was selected to represent the UC Vikings in 2014. From there he has now represented the Brumbies and is currently training with the Wallabies.
“We are very proud of our pathways to elite rugby in the ACT and the NRC program is a key part of that.” The new one-year deal will also see the ACT Griffins program supported again this year.
Thomson also addressed the rumours around the proposed rebrand.
“We understand there were reports that the UC Vikings would be replaced with another ACT representative side in the NRC however that won’t be the case in 2016.
“Commercially the best option for us this year is to remain as the UC Vikings. It locks in all of our home matches for 2016 and provides critical funding for this program.
“The UC Vikings represent the success of all seven John I Dent Cup clubs. Last season, players from each local team played for the side and that will be the case again in 2016 and beyond.
“I would like to thank the University of Canberra and Vikings Group for their continued support of our NRC program and hope that this year we can go one better than 2015.”
All of the Vikings home games will be played at Viking Park in Wanniassa.
The team also confirmed Wayne Southwell would coach the side, with Dan Palmeras scrum coach and Dan McKellar as Coaching Director.
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