Vikings Handball Club

🏁 That’s a Wrap on the 2025 NZHF Club Championships — With Gratitude and Pride

🇳🇿 The curtain falls on this year’s NZHF Club Championships, and while the final standings may not reflect the full heart of our journey, the Vikings men walk away with heads held high and spirits full.
We came with ambition, battled through adversity, and left it all on the court. Sixth place may sting, especially with two wins that showed our potential, two losses that felt avoidable, and one hard-fought defeat against the reigning and newly crowned champions, Canterbury Quakes HC. But beyond the scoreboard, we celebrated what matters most: the game we love, the camaraderie we share, and the red jersey that binds us.

💪 To Our Guest Warriors
A heartfelt thank you to our guest players from UTS Handball (Sydney) - Jamie R, Croppy, Socks, Luke N, and James T. You crossed the ditch, donned the red, and instantly became part of the Vikings brotherhood. Your energy, grit, and spirit lifted us.

🎭To Fred H and Anand H from Victoria University Handball Club - our fearless father-son duo. Thank you for bringing your fire and family bond to the court. You reminded us that handball is as much about legacy as it is about competition.

🛡️ To Our Veteran Inspiration
To Ludo, the enduring legend of Taranaki Handball - thank you for showing us that age is no barrier to passion. Your presence was a masterclass in resilience and love for the game.

🔥 To the Vikings Core
To our battle-tested core - Frenchy, Nico, Harry, Luke I, Ben, Jezza, Riley, Felipe, and Mr Bickers - thank you for your unwavering commitment, your hunger to improve, and your belief in each other. This club is built on your shoulders, and your drive sets the tone for everything we do.
We didn’t just play handball - we built memories, forged bonds, and laid the groundwork for what’s next. The journey continues, and the best chapters are still ahead.
Onward, Vikings. 🛡️

🙏 Last but Never Least…
A massive thank you to the tournament organisers, Billie and David, whose tireless work and dedication made the 2025 NZHF Club Championships run like clockwork. With the support of a few behind-the-scenes heroes, you pulled together a complex event with precision, care, and a whole lot of heart.
We know it’s never easy to please everyone, but you came impressively close—99.9% nailed, and that final 0.1% probably just missed the goalpost by a whisker. Your efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and we’re incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and passion you poured into this tournament.
From all of us in the Vikings camp: thank you for making it possible for us to play the sport we love, surrounded by community, competition, and camaraderie. 👏❤️

🌟 The Legend Behind the Lens — Jun
And then there’s Jun. The one and only. Not so much the secret heart of New Zealand Handball, but its beating pulse - visible in every frame, every stream, every poster, and every moment he’s helped immortalize.
What began 15 years ago with a camera and a passion has grown into a legacy. Today, thanks to Jun’s tireless dedication, we have professional-grade photography, live broadcasts, stunning artwork, and a visual identity that elevates our sport and connects our community. His work doesn’t just document handball - it celebrates it.
Jun has a heart of gold and a spirit that never quits. His contributions are immeasurable, his impact undeniable, and his generosity unmatched. We are forever grateful—and forever inspired.
Thank you, Jun. You’ve given New Zealand Handball more than memories. You’ve given it soul. ❤️📸
Honourable mentions as well to Aaron B - Jun's sidekick, who is a master in photography himself. We are amazed by your talent and passion!!!

🙌 And Finally, to Everyone Who Made It Happen…
A massive thank you to all the teams who journeyed from near and far - whether it was a quick drive or a flight across the country. Your commitment, energy, and love for the game turned this tournament into more than just a competition—it became a true celebration of Handball in Aotearoa.
To every player who stepped on court, gave their all, and shared in the spirit of the sport: thank you. You brought the passion, the drama, the grit, and the joy that make handball what it is. From fierce rivalries to post-match laughs, this weekend reminded us why we play - and why we keep coming back.
The Vikings are proud to have stood alongside you. Here's to the handball whānau, and to many more tournaments filled with heart, hustle, and unforgettable moments. ❤️🤾‍♂️🇳🇿

To everyone - travel safe, recover fast and enjoy the upcoming summer break 💪❤️🤾‍♂️

🏐 Vikings Falter on Final Day as Auckland Seizes the Moment
Sunday at Nationals. For teams that came chasing glory but fell short of the semi-finals, it’s a day that tests more than just skill - it tests heart. And for the Vikings men, the final whistle marked not just the end of a match, but the close of a campaign that promised more than it delivered.

The Vikings came out swinging, determined to finish with pride. Midway through the first half, they held a confident three-goal lead, moving the ball with purpose and pressing Auckland into errors. But as had been the cruel pattern throughout the tournament, the finishing touch deserted them. Missed shots piled up, and Auckland—resilient and opportunistic—clawed their way back to a 13-14 lead at the break.

🎭 Second Half: A Familiar Struggle
The second half unfolded like déjà vu. The men in red tightened their defence, and Jamie - stoic between the posts - turned away shot after shot with the kind of poise that deserved a better fate. But the Vikings couldn’t capitalise. Sloppy ball handling, errant fastbreak passes, and wayward shooting robbed them of momentum every time they threatened to surge.
It wasn’t Auckland’s brilliance that sealed the result—it was the Vikings’ own undoing. A game lost not in the scoreboard, but in the small moments where ex*****on faltered and belief wavered.

👏 Credit Where It’s Due
Still, hats off to Auckland Region Handball. Sunday games are never easy when the title is out of reach, but they showed up with grit, discipline, and the hunger to finish strong. They earned their win the hard way.
For the Vikings, the pain of missed chances will linger—but so too will the lessons. And in sport, as in life, it’s often the toughest days that shape the strongest teams.

⚔️ Redemption in Red: Vikings Rise Again ⚔️
After the heartbreak of missing out on the semi-finals, the Vikings returned to the court not just to play—but to prove. The placement round against the Sheeps from Otago wasn’t just another fixture. It was a reckoning. A chance to silence doubt, reclaim pride, and remind the handball world that the men in red still carry fire in their veins.

From the opening whistle, the transformation was undeniable. Gone were the jitters and turnovers of the pool rounds. In their place: composure, precision, and a hunger that could be felt from the stands. The Vikings struck early, surging to an 8:3 lead with clinical shooting and rock-solid defence. Every pass had purpose. Every shot, venom. By halftime, the scoreboard read 18:11—and the message was clear: we’re not done yet.

The second half? A masterclass in team handball. Every field player etched their name onto the scoresheet, as the Vikings unleashed a scoring storm that left Otago scrambling. The Sheeps fought valiantly, but the red tide was relentless. Fast breaks, set plays, and a bench that roared with every goal—it was a full-throttle performance from a team reborn.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard told the tale: 39:29. A dominant win. A statement. A redemption.

The Vikings may have missed the semis, but on this day, they reminded everyone why they wear red: not just for battle, but for heart, for pride, and for the unyielding spirit of a team that refuses to fade quietly.

🔥 Game Day 3: Where Grit Met Greatness 🔥
In the final clash of the pool stage, the Vikings stepped onto the court knowing the stakes—win, and the dream of a semi-final berth lives on. Lose, and the curtain falls. Their opponent? None other than the reigning New Zealand Club Champions, the Quakes from Canterbury Handball,a team not just defending a title, but hunting a dynasty.

From the first whistle, the Quakes came out like a storm. Within minutes, they carved out a ruthless 1:5 lead, capitalising on every Vikings turnover with surgical precision. The young Canterbury squad played with the swagger of champions and the hunger of contenders, punishing every misstep with lightning-fast breaks.
But the Vikings are not a team that folds. Midway through the first half, the tide began to shift. The men in red dug deep, their defence tightening like a vice, their spirit roaring louder than the crowd. At 8:11, the game hung in the balance. The Vikings were in their strongest phase - bodies flying, hearts pounding - but the finishing touch eluded them. Missed chances kept the gap alive.
As the half drew to a close, the Quakes struck again—fastbreaks, precision, and a clinical edge that widened the score to 11:19. The halftime buzzer echoed like a warning: the champs were not here to share the throne.

The second half opened with renewed fire. The Vikings surged, clawing back to 15:21, refusing to let the dream die. But Canterbury held firm, their composure unshaken, their lead intact. At 17:27, the dam broke. Turnovers mounted, shots missed their mark, and the Quakes unleashed a final wave of fastbreak fury that sealed the game beyond doubt.
Final whistle. Final score - 25:39. Final statement - The Champions are unbeaten.

👏 Congratulations to the Quakes—undeniably the team to beat in 2025. They played like champions, they finished like champions, and they reminded every club in the nation: if you want the crown, you’ll have to pry it from Canterbury’s iron grip.

🏐 Vikings Fall Short in Grit-Fueled Thriller Against UNSW
It was a game of high hopes and hard lessons for the Vikings men’s handball squad, who tasted their first defeat of the tournamnet in Friday’s clash against UNSW. In their second outing, the Vikings showed flashes of brilliance—but ultimately couldn’t convert promise into points, falling 33–34 in a game that tested their resolve to the final whistle.
From the outset, the Vikings struggled to find rhythm in front of goal. Despite crafting a wealth of scoring opportunities, the finishing touch remained elusive. Shots ricocheted off the woodwork, sailed wide, or were swallowed by the resolute UNSW keepers. The frustration mounted as the scoreboard failed to reflect the effort on court.

🎭 Turning Point: A Second-Half Slide
The drama intensified early in the second half. A flurry of missed chances and unforced turnovers opened the floodgates for UNSW, who seized the moment with ruthless efficiency. Within minutes, the Vikings found themselves staring down a daunting seven-goal deficit (23–30) with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
But surrender was never part of the Vikings’ vocabulary, nor was it in their DNA.

⚔️ The Comeback That Almost Was
Possession by possession, the men in red clawed their way back into contention. Defensive grit turned into fast breaks. The crowd roared as the gap narrowed—four goals, then three, then two. With seconds ticking away, the Vikings pulled within one. The tension was electric. Every pass, every shot, every block felt like it could tip the balance.
But time, that cruel and impartial referee, ran out.

👏 Respect Where It’s Due
UNSW held firm under pressure and deserved their win. Congratulations to them on a well-fought victory. As for the Vikings, this loss will sting—but it also reveals a team with heart, hunger, and the kind of resilience that championships are built on.

Next game tomorrow morning against the mighty Canterbury Quakes ... an opportunity for redemption.

Day 2coming up ....
Vikings will face UNSW at 11am ... come and watch

Day 2 Schedule

First game, first win.

While we didn't have the whole squad available on day one, we managed to carve out a win.
The first half against a very young Turtles team was close, mainly as the Vikings were struggling to find the back of the net, even with the best scoring chances. Going into the break with a 2-goal lead (16:14) wasn't what the team was aiming for.
In the second half, our defence worked better and our shooting efficiency improved as well.
At the end, the 33:25 win was a good start to the tournament.

First day at the 2025 NZHF Handball Club Championships

Game results for day 1

Official Team Announcement for the upcoming NZ Club Championships.
The tournament starts on Thursday (4th September) with our first game at 4:30pm.

All information can be found on the NZHF webpage (https://handball.org.nz/events/2025-club-champs)
including links to the livestreams.