John ‘Storky’ Martin during his playing days. Photo: Supplied.
At 92, John ‘Storky’ Martin OAM has dedicated eight decades to rugby — as a player, coach, administrator and the heart of the Vikings Rugby Club.
Now, the Illawarra community is honouring the beloved character’s incredible legacy with the launch of The John ‘Storky’ Martin Foundation for player welfare and development, ensuring his passion for the sport and its players continues for generations to come.
On 8 March, the Vikings Rugby Club will host a special event to launch the foundation and celebrate John’s life – a journey that has seen him witness the transformation of rugby union in the Illawarra.
“I had my first game at primary school when I was eight or nine,” John said.
“I had been playing soccer up until then, but one day at school the rugby team was a bit short and they asked if any soccer players wanted a game of rugby, so I thought I’d give it a try, played it and enjoyed it.”
John’s passion for rugby would take him from the schoolyard to first grade level, golden oldies and even off the field into administrative roles.
He played several seasons with the Drummoyne Dirty Reds in Sydney as a teen, while also being part of the Avoca Beach Surf Club where his family often holidayed, with half of the membership coming from Sydney in those days.
When he became a maths and science teacher in 1956, his first appointment was Bulli High School and so decided to transfer to Wollongong Surf Club.
“I was fortunate in that in those days, in 1956, the rugby competition was supported by quite a few surf clubs in the Illawarra,” he said.
“It was a different competition in those days.
“So in enjoying the surf club, I also had a rugby club to play with and won a couple of premierships.”
However, the surf club’s rugby team folded in 1961 and, in searching for a new club, John settled on the Viking Rugby Club a year later, which was largely made up of and started by school teachers in 1958.
He’s been with the club ever since.
John was part of the Vikings’ premiership-winning first grade sides in 62, 63, 64 and 65 and continued to play until well into his 40s, but usually by then in third grade.
“I was also lucky enough to be picked in the Illawarra side in that first year and continued getting picked from time to time right up until 1965,” he said of the annual country carnival where players from NSW regions came together to compete.
However, it wasn’t only as a skills-based breakaway with an emphasis on defence where he impacted the club, but also as its president for 15 years from 1966 and coaching and managing many sides.
He was even instrumental in establishing the Longhorns, the golden oldies arm of the Vikings club.
“We went to about 12 world festivals as the Viking Longhorns and they’ve been great fun,” he said.
“What it’s done is provided a vehicle for maintaining old friendships.
“A lot of my friends who are playing golden oldies now were students of mine.
“I mistakenly believed that if they joined and played rugby with the Vikings, their economic smarts might improve,” he said, with a laugh.
Many of his former students – who still often call him “Mr Martin” – remember him not just from his days as a maths and science teacher at Bulli High, but from teaching social sciences, being a high school principal, and being posted at Wollongong High and Port Kembla High.
As part of the Longhorns, he also published the regular newsletter The Stirrer, which he did for more than 30 years until his last edition in December last year.
In 2004, he was admitted to the Order of Australia “for services to rugby and the community”.
However, John said health issues were now catching up with him as he battled pancreatic cancer.
“I do have health issues and am reaching my use-by date, probably this year sometime according to my oncologist, but they’re not always right,” he said.
“I feel good and I’m going well, and I’m looking forward to another season of rugby with the Vikings.
“I’m a bit optimistic, because we’ve had a few lean years since COVID, but we’re picking up, so I’m hoping to be back up on the hill, which they’ve named after me.”
Until then, the upcoming foundation launch will celebrate John’s lifetime of dedication to rugby union and provide an opportunity for old teammates and friends to share stories and reminisce about his impact on the game and their life.
And considering John’s description of it, there’s sure to be plenty of laughs.
“They’re not describing it as such, but I’m describing it as what they call a living wake,” he said.
“I’ve known a few blokes that have had them and I think it’s a great idea. It’s a bit of a trial run for your real one.
“I’ve heard it described as an event that if you’re dying to know what your real wake is going to be like – there’s a bit of a pun there – then this serves that purpose.
“I have no complaints. I’ve had a wonderful life.”
His son Brett, who described John as a “very funny man”, said two long-time Vikings club members had reached out after hearing about his health challenges and proposed organising the event.
“They wanted to do something for him to celebrate his contribution to the club over the decades,” Brett said.
“I thought it was a good idea, but I also said I thought it would be a good thing to do something permanent in the shape of a foundation to support Viking player welfare and development.”
He said the event would feature a number of yet-to-be announced speakers, including at least four former Wallabies players.
And the nickname Storky?
“Tall and thin. Anything you hear to the contrary is not true,” John said, laughing.
Storky! A Celebration of Rugby will be held on 8 March at the Vikings Rugby Union Club, Port Kembla Rd, Wollongong from 3 to 6 pm. Learn more about the foundation.
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