Vikings providing support behind closed doors

Junior netball is just one of the 41 sports supported by the Vikings Group. Photo: Supplied.

While their doors remain closed for now, Vikings Group says it is business as usual behind the scenes. The home of sport in the Tuggeranong Valley and an integral part of the southside community, Vikings Group remains committed to supporting their local community sports groups, and has opened up the next round of grant applications and funding.

Vikings Group CEO Anthony Hill says the group’s initial focus during shutdown was on supporting their staff and their wellbeing. With Vikings Group staff all now on JobKeeper and working reduced, flexible hours, the group is now looking ahead to supporting their affiliated clubs and getting ready to open when conditions allow.

“Our staff are amazing,” Anthony says. “When the government announced the shutdown, we had to close our doors and stand down 250 staff. That was very hard. The next day they all turned up to work anyway.”

The concept of Vikings Group was a simple idea between mates with a common interest in Rugby. It’s now four licensed clubs and an affiliate club program that now supports 51 affiliated clubs across 41 different sports covering more than 8000 athletes in the Tuggeranong Valley. As a not-for-profit entity, Vikings provides about $2 million each year in grants, infrastructure and other support to sporting clubs, athletes and charities.

Vikings Group CEO Anthony Hill says the Group’s commitment to their affiliated clubs remains unchanged. Photo: Supplied.

Anthony says the affiliated club program plays a key role in the work Vikings Group does within the Tuggeranong Community supporting clubs across junior, senior, masters and social sporting activities. Around $160,000 is distributed annually by Vikings Group to its affiliate clubs through this program. Money received by affiliate clubs is put towards reducing the costs associated with playing sport, enabling greater access to sport within the Tuggeranong Valley, upgrading equipment, uniforms for teams, training for umpires and grounds maintenance.

Anthony says: “We have a commitment to our affiliated clubs, nothing has changed, even with COVID-19. The money we give to small clubs goes a long way, whether is $1,000 or $10,000. Continuing this funding could make the difference to these small clubs surviving.

“We have been able to contribute more than $41 million dollars to our community since our inception. We are extremely proud of our support to date, and want to ensure we can continue this well into the future. The grants will obviously be a great help for the sporting groups and their staff that are currently struggling due to the closure of sports,” Anthony said.

The affiliate club program has been a platform for rising stars, creating pathways for up and coming athletes. Athletes including Joe Roff, Caroline Buchanan, Kelsey-Lee Barber and Christian Lealiifano all donned the Vikings Head in their early sporting careers. Vikings Group has also just welcomed its newest affiliate club, Olympia Judo, to its program.

“Olympia Judo had to go through a rigorous process to become an affiliated club. They stayed the course and we are now very happy to welcome them to the Vikings Group.”

Anthony says until the Vikings Group clubs and facilities can open up again, staff are working hard behind the scenes with preventative maintenance and renovations in progress.

“We think we now have the cleanest clubs in the world. We are looking forward to the time when we can welcome all our members back through our doors.”

Keep up to date with the Vikings Group, including ordering delicious meals prepared and made by the kitchen team at Erindale Vikings through No Biggie Meals.

Vikings Group have also just welcomed its newest affiliate club, Olympia Judo. Photo: Supplied.