Lomax trades the green for maroon

BY KRIS DANDO - KAPI-MANA NEWS

The surname Lomax is intrinsically linked with the rugby league stronghold of Wainuiomata, so the notion that one of their favourite sons is coming over to coach the Porirua Vikings' premiers may not ring true.

But with a resume like David Lomax's, it would have been folly to let him pass by.

Porirua Vikings' premiers are top of the heap in Wellington, with Jules Kuresa leading the side to back-to-back titles the past two seasons.

The other senior teams are in good shape and the juniors are as strong as ever, with committed coaches and volunteers looking after willing and talented youngsters to great success every year.

But with Kuresa off to coach on the Gold Coast  taking a handful of the premier boys with him  the challenge is a big one for anyone looking to fill his shoes and keep the momentum going in the senior ranks.

Lomax has the credentials and passion to do just that and can't wait to get his teeth into the role.

Living in Avalon, he runs a sports academy at Weltec, with 24 students having the opportunity to learn a trade while possibly securing contracts to play rugby league in Australia.

Lomax, also the current Junior Kiwis coach, brings a formidable contacts book with him to the Vikings, having played in the NRL (Canberra Raiders, the now-defunct Western Reds, Newcastle Knights), France (Paris St Germain), England (Huddersfield) and, of course, in Wellington.

The big prop played two tests for the Kiwis in 1993 and the 39-year-old has more than seven years coaching experience under his belt, with Levin Lions, Central Falcons, NZ Residents and the last two seasons in charge of Te Aroha premiers.

He admits to mulling over a break from the coaching scene until he was encouraged to go for the Vikings position, saying it was too good a chance to pass up.

"It was a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to get into it. It's going to be a real challenge because they've won the title the past two years, but I'm confident I've got what it takes to be a leader at this club. This is the biggest club in Wellington, there's a great volunteer base and a great history and I want to be part of that. I know I have to earn that respect first."

The father-of-two will travel to Porirua for training and matches.

The first item on Lomax's agenda is getting to know the club's senior players, especially the "cogs" and leaders Tlike Frank Rameka.

He insists he's not there to make wholesale changes to personnel or the way they play, but to bring his experience  both as a player and a coach  to bear for the benefit of the Vikings as a whole.

While he recognises the fantastic attacking abilities of the premiers, his "keen" defensive tactics could cut down the number of points conceded per game.

"I'm not going to throw my weight around. I have a high work ethic and if you've got that you will earn something, I like people who take responsibility and not expect things to land in their lap."

Once he is established, along with winning games, he wants to create the right "pathways" so the club's bright hopes can make Wellington rep sides and go on to the professional ranks in Australia or Europe.

This topic is raised more than once, with Lomax wanting it to be something tangible that the "community can see"  it will be heartening for Porirua league supporters to hear, with not enough local faces making the Wellington squad in past years.

Hutt Valley has traditionally produced more NRL-bound youngsters than Porirua but he hopes to change this, knowing what recruiters will be looking for.

So, although there are rumours brother Johnny won't be in charge of the Wainui prems next season, can Lomax still expect some stick from the home crowd when the Vikings first travel to Wise Park?

He shrugs his shoulders and says simply, with a grin, "I'm sure there will be some challenges now that I'm coaching Porirua. But I'm ready for it."

Vikings presidents Bernie Wood says they had a "very good" shortlist of candidates for the premiers' coaching position and senior players helped make recommendations to the club's board. With Lomax having firm roots in Wellington, Wood sees this as a long-term commitment.

"We're lucky to get David and have him at our club. He's a very good replacement for Jules. He brings no baggage and conducts himself well.

"There's a large pool of juniors and seniors to work with at the Vikings and he's well-involved with the academy at Weltec, so I think this is a great opportunity to get something similar set up here in Porirua."