Widnes Vikings: Big backing down under

Nov 20 2008 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES icon Kurt Sorensen this week jetted in to Sydney from his Gold Coast home to help launch the 2009 Vikings kit.

The legend linked up with coach Steve McCormack and chairman Steve O’Connor who are in Australia on a fact-finding expedition.

O’Connor wanted to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the club’s 1989 World Club Championship victory against Canberra, by involving the captain of that triumphant team in this week’s big occasion.

In that memorable game Widnes came back from 12-0 down to win 30-12 and become the first world club champions.

Sorensen, a former New Zealand international, scored 40 tries in 252 games for Widnes between 1985-93.

Sorensen tried on the new home kit, which is in traditional Vikings black and white, while the coach and chairman donned the electric yellow and black away shirt which seemed to glow under the overcast Australian sky.

A club spokesman said that Dublin-based designers O’Neills had offered several shirts but the Vikings chose the startling colour because they wanted to capitalise on the leisure market with a dynamic, inventive design.

The collar also has the “Dare to Dream” logo.

O’Connor and McCormack have been watching the World Cup closely and meeting key Australian rugby league figures during their stay.

But despite potential transfers being in the shop window, a club spokesman said he was unable to confirm any targets.

He said: “Steve and Steve have been deeply impressed with the way the Australian players and clubs conduct themselves.

“Even though there’s obviously a lot of rivalry on the pitch, they’ve done nothing but make us feel welcome in Australia.

“Despite all the problems with things such as Super League in the past couple of years, we’ve got to get on with each other.

“Steve O’Connor has visited Sydney, Melbourne, and had a short break on a boat where he met Australian rugby figures.

“He seems to have enjoyed his stay.”

Back in England, the kit was previewed at the De Vere Daresbury Park Hotel for the Halton Business and Tourism Awards 2009.

Charlotte Theis, 10, from Sandymoor, and the Lewis Carroll Society’s Alice, joined recent Vikings signings Richard Varkulis and James Webster to announce the awards event, which will take place at the hotel in February 2009.

The kits’ official launch will take place at the Stobart Stadium, at about 7pm, on Tuesday, December 9. Adult shirts will cost £39.99 and children’s £29.99. It will be available at the club store and online.

Vikings Matt Strong and Richard Fletcher took a break from the gruelling training regime to try on the kits and praised the designs and fabric. Matt asked a club official: “When do I get one?” Richard, trying on the electric yellow away shirt, said: “It’s really light and looks pretty good.”

John Stankevitch, assistant coach and acting coach while Steve McCormack is in Australia, has welcomed the hunger shown by the players in training.

He said: “We started six weeks back so we’ve got a head start on other club, and definitely on last year when the players weren’t as fit as they could have been because the club was in administration.

“That isn’t the players’ fault but we make no excuses.

“I’ve been pushing them harder and training is becoming tougher. They’re being pushed to the limit.

“I took them up to Sherdley Park in St Helens and to Pickerings Pasture for some shield work going up hills. The lads have responded really well and their attitude is spot on.

“We under-achieved and under-performed last season but when the season starts we’ll be ready. We want to win trophies and the fact that the players came back from the break early reflects that.

“When Steve gets back, it’ll be time to focus on bulking them up with hypertrophy work. The weights will be bigger and heavier and it will be as tough as possible.”