The Vikings Community programme continues to go from strength to strength on both sides of the water. Community Development Manager Martin Davidson, along with Player Performance Manager John Foran, Michele Carter and Tim Holmes form the Vikings in the Community team, have had a busy year spreading the word across the Borough of Halton.

On the rugby front John and Tim have continued to build on the work undertaken in both primary and secondary schools throughout Halton. Junior schools from both sides of the water have competed in curtain-raisers prior to Vikings’ home fixtures which have seen friends and families attend games at discounted prices. The data captured from these initial visits has been used to write to the children and invite them and their parents to the next game with an incremental increase in the ticket prices. Following this initiative there has been an increase in the sale of junior season tickets to young people who have taken advantage of this promotion.

The annual 02 Tri – Series fell victim to the weather in the Summer when the incessant rain prevented use of the Stadium pitch. However, it is planned to stage this event prior to the start of the 2008 season.
Away from the rugby element, May, June and July saw Vikings in the Community undertake fun days with year 5 pupils in over 30 schools. The event which was funded by Trust in Widnes included Vikings’ bingo, wordsearches, design a kit, healthy eating discussions, a coaching session and a question and answer session with a member of the first team squad.
 
Another new initiative saw Vikings in the Community team up with Halton Council to put on a week long course for young people in danger of exclusion. As part of this course, young people are taught the skills required to find employment, for example how to write CVs and speculative letters, interview techniques, health and safety legislation, self-esteem and anger management techniques as well as healthy lifestyle and drug awareness sessions.
The Kemik Klub has also grown with events such as ‘Meet the Players’, ‘Train with the Team’  the opportunity to be a matchday mascot and the chance to vote for the Kemik Klub Player of the Year plus the opportunity for one member to present the award to the winner, in 2007 Dennis Moran, on the pitch at the final home game of the season.
John Foranï's work with the youth set-up has ensured the future of the Vikings academy set up for the foreseeable future. His input in the schools, along with the community schemes has meant that relations between the club and the community remain strong.
 
He has also played a pivotal role in the Vikings Scholarship Scheme which has recently being accredited as ‘High Performance’. For 2007 products of the Scholarship such as Dayne Donoghue, Scott Yates, Michael Ostick and Shane Grady have all been rewarded with fulltime contracts.

If you're a pupil or a teacher and would like to get your school involved in the Vikings Community programme please contact Martin Davidson on 0151 495 4827

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