The Vikings Rugby Club based in Northland is one of the most unique and historically respected institutions in New Zealand grassroots rugby.
Unlike traditional clubs that compete in a weekly local league, the Vikings function as a highly selective independent invitation club specifically designed to foster youth talent and keep young athletes engaged in the sport.
1. The Foundation (1957)
The club was officially founded on June 7, 1957, in Whangārei, spearheaded by prominent regional rugby figures including foundation President M.H. Sheriff and Secretary R. Morrison.
• Why the Name? The founders noted that because Northland (then known as the North Auckland Rugby Union) was the northernmost rugby province in New Zealand, naming the club the “Vikings” drew a fitting geographical parallel to the famous seafaring warriors of Northern Europe.
• The Inaugural Match: Exactly one month after forming, on July 7, 1957, the Vikings played their historic inaugural match against a selection of North Auckland Club players in Whangārei. The North Auckland selection won the hard-fought match 25–9.
2. The Invitation & Barbarian Model
The NZ Vikings were built on a structure similar to the famous Barbarians model: you cannot apply to join the club; you must be invited.
The club’s membership and coaching staff are composed entirely of volunteers who are former Northland/North Auckland senior representative players (including past All Blacks) and regional administrators. They give their time freely with a shared ethos: giving back to the youth of the Northland community.
3. The Core Mission: Saving the “Drop-out” Age Group
While the club initially played various fixtures against sub-unions and invitational sides featuring legends of the north (like iconic All Black loose forward Peter Jones), its modern identity is firmly rooted in targeted youth development.
The Vikings specifically operate select invitational teams—most notably the Boys Under-17 and Girls Under-16 sides.
• The Strategy: The club intentionally focuses on the 15-to-17 age bracket. Statistically, this is the exact window where teenagers face the highest risk of dropping out of rugby due to school transitions, work, or shifting interests.
• The Stepping Stone: The Vikings operate completely independently with no direct governance or financial backing from Northland Rugby. However, they work in harmony with the union, acting as a vital bridge right below the official Northland Academy and Representative tiers to catch local talent that might otherwise slip through the cracks.
4. Historical Milestones & Legacy
• The Scrapbook Tradition: To honor the players who wear the jersey, the club holds a fiercely guarded tradition. For its major anniversaries, the club compiles a massive, strictly limited-edition “A3 Scrapbook” souvenir history. Famously, only 50 copies of the 1993 edition were ever printed, given strictly to individuals who represented the Vikings on the field.
• Legendary Fixtures: Over the decades, the Vikings have hosted major celebratory matches, including a milestone match in Kaitaia against the NZ Barbarians to celebrate the 60th birthday of All Black legend Peter Jones, cementing their place in the folklore of Northland rugby.
