THERE is only one role Fiona McCormack is yet to achieve at Hastings Valley Vikings.
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One of the best-known surnames around Mid North Coast rugby circles will take the reins of the Vikings after former president Chris Trutwein stepped down on March 5.
It will be the first time in the club’s history a female will run the club, but she doesn’t have any grand plans for season 2018.
McCormack was the first female committee member of the club and will now become the first female president, but conceded most things would stay the same.
“I’ve been there since day one and all previous presidents have all done a great job,” she said.
“I don’t think there’s much more we can do so I do feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to take this role on.
“I want to be seen as being an open committee that are approachable and that try and sort things out as quickly as possible.
“Women are pretty good at that sort of thing.”
The McCormack name is synonymous with the Vikings with Hamish and Adam expected to line up for another season.
“My family have been there since the beginning and we always joke that we’ve got green, black and yellow blood running through our veins,” she said.
“It’s a family for us. It’s not just a rugby club.”
Fellow committee members including secretary Jemah Millerd and sponsorship coordinator Krisann Johnson don’t see the club as leading the way by having women elected in executive roles.
“I don’t think we need to be highlighted as being something new or different,” Johnson said.
“Women have always been involved in the running of sporting clubs.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s rugby, soccer, rugby league, it just so happens that we happen to have four in an executive position this year.
“Women have always been there; from the barbecue to the managing role to all sorts of things so we don’t see ourselves as anything different.”
Millerd, along with treasurer Nicole Williams, wanted to ensure the club continued to be all-inclusive.
“Gone are the days where it was just a boys sport,” she said.
“We have a very active women’s game in the area and we encourage all players and families to come to the games. Rugby day is family day.
“There’s definitely a greater acknowledgement now about the role of women.”
