The 2024 season is shaping up to be a good one for Vikings. The club has attracted a number of new, quality players who will be joing what is shaping up as very competitive squad.

The Vikings website will be profiling these new players and other members of the squad in the lead-up to the start of the 2024 season.

Name: Hemi Hokianga
Positions: Flyhallf, Scrum-half & Fullback
Career Highlights: Hawks Bay Maoris 2022-2023, Hawks Bay Rugby League 2021, Hawks Bay Touch 2018-2022

Name: Dru Oneroa Molesi
Positions: Outside Centre, Inside Centre & Flyhalf
Career Highlights: Wairarapa Bush 20’s 2021-2022, Masterton Redstars 2020-2023

Name: Max Swanenberg
Positions: Open Side Breakaway, Number 8 and Blindside Breakaway.
Career Highlights: Player of the year 2022 Gungalin Rugby Club, Brumbies U20 Squad, NSW Waratah’s U18 7s.

Training Schedule;
Pre-season recommences on January 16 at Viking’s Oval, Training will be held every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6pm.
Registration will be held most training session as it is important to register prior to train for insurance reasons. Vikings have niminated teams for the Kiama 7s and Camden 10s so it is important that players who want to be considered for these tournaments attend pre-season.

Coach Harry Swanenberg said: 

"The 2024 season is rapidly approaching and I am excited at what lies ahead. I’m honoured to be heading up the coaching group as head coach. My mission is to continue with the great work Crano and Blommy did this year and while I am not new to Vikings, I am relatively unknown by most of the current crop of players. With that in mind, I aim to quickly gain the respect of the playing group and get their buy-in on how I want us to play this great game, physical, fast and open, brave and confident with plenty of flair, working within the planned structure but also being able to play what’s in front of them. 

Of cause, this won’t happen unless we do the work off the field, so establishing a strong work ethic is so important, but if we do that work, I am confident we will have two very competitive teams capable of achieving success.

Right now, I am focused on retention and recruitment for the 2024 season, and also the up-and-coming 10’s and 7’s competitions which are happening in February. 

One of the best things about rugby is that it is a game for everyone, those who want to work hard to do their best on and off the field and those who just want to have a run around. That is why I am introducing the concept of the Black and Blue squads. The  Black Squad is for all those wanting to play and perform in 1stgrade, and the Blue Squad is for those wanting to run around in 2nds. Training for both squads will be predominately together as a club but more will be asked of those in the Black Squad.

I look forward to seeing everyone at training, this years playing group and any and all newcomers."