LIFE MEMBERS & CLUB PATRONS

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LIFE MEMBERS

The Vikings club honours the founding members and people who have played a significant part in forming the club. The profiles below show our life members and club patrons.
STEVE ARNOLD

STEVE ARNOLD

MEMBER

Steven John Arnold was the visionary whose idea of “expanding rugby in the Hastings area” in late 1995 saw the formation of the Hastings Valley Vikings.

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Steve rightfully deserves the title Mr Viking, not only founding the club but over the years having two very successful terms as President (1996 – 1998, 2001), contributing as a major sponsor, being a playing member of the Golden Oldies team the Wrinkled Horns, Club Coach, taking the First XV team to a grand final in 2003 and finally in recent years as a Club Patron.

Steve was honoured for his dedicated commitment, hard work and exemplary leadership of the Hastings Valley Vikings by being awarded Life Membership of the Club in 2005 at the 10th Year Anniversary Ball. Steve Arnold currently resides in Sydney but still keeps a close interest in the Vikings and manages to make it to a number of games each year.


DAVID McCORMACK

DAVID McCORMACK

MEMBER

David John McCormack will always be remembered as the “heart and soul” of the Vikings. 

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He did it all for the Club including stints as, Committee Member, Registrar, Club Captain, First XV Coach, the first Team Captain, the inspiration behind the formation of the Wrinkled Horns and Club President in 1999-2000.

It was during this presidency the title the “family club” was well and truly established, especially with the enthusiastic help of his own family.

Dave was honoured by the Club by being made a Life Member of the Vikings at the 10th Year Anniversary Ball in 2005. Sadly Dave’s life was lost in a motor vehicle accident in 2007 although his legacy lives on in our “family club”. His memory is celebrated each year with the David McCormack Memorial Match when the President’s Select XV play the Wrinkled Horns outfit, a match Dave instigated during his Presidency.

LANCE KEDWARD

LANCE KEDWARD

MEMBER

Lance “Exploso” Kedward was a co-founder of the Hastings Valley Vikings Rugby Club along with fellow Life Member, Steve Arnold.

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Lance was a 1996 foundation player and the inaugural Secretary of the Club.

He has been associated with the Club since its inception either as a player, coach, manager or administrator.

In 1998 he undertook the setup and running of the Vikings Golden Oldies team the Wrinkled Horns and over 20 years later is currently still involved as a player and organizer of the Horns.

Lance became the Vikings 3rd Life Member when he was awarded the honour at the Club’s 20th Anniversary Ball in 2015.

MARK HILL

MARK HILL

MEMBER

Mark Hill’s first match for the Vikings was a guest appearance when on holidays in 1999 in which he severely damaged his ankle.

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He moved to Port Macquarie in 2001 and again linked with the Vikings Club this time with a much more positive outcome. He joined the Club Committee in 2002 and in the following decade served in many positions including stints as Treasurer, Secretary and serving President when the Vikings won their maiden First Grade Premiership.

Hilly coached Reserve Grade for two consecutive years and served as First Grade manager for many seasons. In 2010 he clocked up 100 senior games with the Club.

He now helps out by pulling out the whistle and refereeing matches. Mark was awarded Life Membership of the Club at the 20th Anniversary Ball in 2015.

FIONA McCORMACK

FIONA McCORMACK

MEMBER

Fiona McCormack has been a cornerstone of the Hastings Valley Vikings since the club’s inception, embodying the "family club" spirit that the Vikings are known for.

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Breaking new ground as the first female member of the Vikings committee, Fiona has dedicated decades of service to the club in almost every capacity imaginable.

Her administrative contribution is unparalleled, having served as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sponsorship Coordinator. Beyond the executive roles, Fiona was the Secretary of the Clubhouse Committee and was instrumental in the club’s growth, including organising the move to the Port City Bowling Club.

Fiona’s impact on the club’s social fabric is just as significant. She organised the very first Viking Balls, setting the standard for the club’s off-field celebrations, and has been the familiar face running the Vikings bar for many years.

Fiona’s legacy is truly a family affair. Alongside her husband and fellow Life Member, David, she has been a tireless supporter of the club, even contributing to the next generation of Viking talent by raising two of the club's finest players. Fiona’s unwavering commitment and multi-faceted service make her a truly deserving Life

Member of the Hastings Valley Vikings.

DAVID BARNES

DAVID BARNES

MEMBER
MARK HOWARD

MARK HOWARD

MEMBER

Since joining the club in 2001, Mark "Howie" Howard has established himself as a true legend of the Hastings Valley Vikings, leaving an indelible mark on the field as a player and from the sidelines as one of the club’s most successful coaches.

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Howie’s playing career reached a historic peak as a member of the Vikings' first-ever First Grade Premiership-winning side in 2010. 

His excellence on the pitch was further recognised in 2015 when he was named in the prestigious Viking Team of the Decade.

However, it is Howie’s coaching pedigree that truly sets him apart. He has steered multiple grades to glory, building a winning culture across the club:

Reserve Grade Coach: Back-to-back Premiers in 2014 and 2015, and again in 2019.
First Grade Coach: Led the team to the Premiership in 2016 and Minor Premierships in 2017 and 2024.

Stewardship: Guided the club through the unique challenges of the Barbarians (2020) and the COVID-impacted 2021 season.

Off the field, Howie has been a dedicated clubman, serving on the committee in various roles since 2011. His accolades reflect his immense contribution, including Reserve Grade Players' Player (2001) and being named Viking of the Year (2013). 

From his involvement in the Tess Turnbull Charity Golf Day to his recent Golden Oldies debut, Howie has always embraced the camaraderie of the club.

For Howie, the highlights have always been the lifelong friendships made during pre-season Lismore trips and end-of-season festivities. His tactical mind and unwavering loyalty make him a cornerstone of the Vikings family.

JENNIFER TAYLOR

JENNIFER TAYLOR

MEMBER

Jennifer Taylor’s journey with the Vikings began in the club’s early days, introduced to the fold by foundation player Steve. 

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Since that first introduction, Jen has become an indispensable fixture of the club, fostering lifelong friendships and a deep passion for the Viking community.

Jen’s contribution spans every aspect of club life, from the sidelines to the boardroom. She served on the General Committee for 15 years, including significant stints as Treasurer (4 years), Secretary (5 years), and Vice President.

Her dedication has been recognised with some of the club’s highest honours, receiving the President’s Award in 2015 and the prestigious "Viking of the Decade" in that same year.

A master of club culture and events, Jen served on the very first Ball Committee in 2000 and has since organised the 10th, 20th, 25th, and 30th Anniversary Balls. Her "behind the scenes" work is legendary. She:

* Served as a long-term financial sponsor.

* Acted as Medical Officer during the club’s formative years.

* Run the Vikings bar for over a decade.

* Volunteered as a Ground Official for many years.

Above all, Jen remains a fiercely passionate supporter who has dedicated her time and heart to ensuring the Vikings thrive. Her lifelong commitment to the club makes her a quintessential Life Member.

MICK ALDRIGE

MICK ALDRIGE

MEMBER

CLUB PATRONS

Hastings Valley Vikings Port Macquarie Rugby Union Club

RYLEY BATT OAM

CLUB PATRON

Ryley Batt is one of the greatest wheelchair rugby players the world has ever seen.

In 2004 Ryley made his Paralympic debut as the youngest ever wheelchair rugby player to compete at the Paralympic Games.

He reached the Paralympic podium for the first time four years later at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and led the Australian wheelchair rugby team, the Steelers, to their first Paralympic gold medal in 2012. Incredibly, in the gold medal match alone, Ryley scored 37 of the Steelers’ 66 goals against the Canadian team.

After helping win the Steelers’ first world title in 2014, Ryley made history as a member of the first wheelchair rugby team to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals and a World Championship title in a four-year period, defeating the USA 59-58 in a double-overtime thriller at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Hastings Valley Vikings Port Macquarie Rugby Union Club

JOHN McCORMACK

CLUB PATRON

The patriarch of the McCormack clan John was originally known as "Cowboy" but is now affectionately known to most in the Viking community as simply "Poppy".

John has supported the Club since its inception even pulling on the boots for a few games of golden oldies and taking out the Wrinkled Horns, "Most Prominent Horn" award one season.

The Vikings are proud to have "Poppy" as a patron of the Club in this our 25th year.

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