Raiders to showcase Members with Viking Ambassador and Viking Clap

As we get set for Member Appreciation Round this weekend at GIO Stadium Canberra, we speak to two Raiders members who will be front and Centre for this week’s Viking Clap.  

Viking Ambassador - Steve French 

This week's Viking Ambassador is Raiders long-time member Steve French, who has been around the club since 1982. If you were to think of just about any Raiders moment you can think of, Steve was probably there.  

Relocating from Brisbane to the Capital in 1982 for work, the choice was obvious for Steve as he set his sights on the newly founded Canberra Raiders side.  
“My family was heavily involved in football in Brisbane with the Easts Tigers. So it was a natural thing to follow the new team” Steve said.  “I have been following ever since, I saw the first ever trial at Seiffert, saw the first game, first win, so it’s been a long time following the club.” 

“Once you fall in love with your football team, you never part it. It really does become part of you.” 

Since joining the club as a member in 1987, Steve said his all-time Raiders highlight is the 1989 Grand Final. 

“The first premiership is always the best; it was the best Grand Final of all time”, he said.  “That was the most incredible day for any Raiders fan.” 

Though reflecting on past glory, he is greatly excited by what’s to come for the Raiders and mentioned the strides toward success being made in 2025.  

“The blend of youth and experience at the moment and the promise that the club is building into something is incredibly special,” he said.  

Fittingly, Steve will feature as Viking Ambassador this week and will welcome the side out with the famous Viking Horn.  

Simon Tayoun – Special Guest Drummer 

Known to many fans as the ‘Raiders Drummer’ Simon Tayoun has been a mainstay in the GIO Stadium, Canberra stands for well over a decade now as the Lebanese import brings his signature look to each match.  

When he relocated to Australia in 1987, his brother-in-law took him to attend a match at Richmond Oval between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and his now-beloved Raiders, though his fanfare almost went in another direction. 

“He wanted me to go and follow South Sydney but I liked Raiders better so I followed them,” said Simon. “I told him no, I like the green colour I want to follow the Canberra Raiders. From there I would never change” 

Since deciding to follow the Green Machine Simon never looked back, with a specific note of how special the club's maiden premiership was to experience. 
Though it was nine years ago is when Simon became a cult figure in the Raiders community, with his trademark Viking helmet, cape and beating a drum among the Raiders faithful each and every week.  

“In 2016 when the Raiders started the Viking Clap I got the drum. I did it for a great experience, not just for me, but for other fans and even supporters of other teams. They love what I do,” he said.  

As part of the Members Appreciation Round, Simon will take the field this Saturday and lead the Viking Clap with his Raiders drum.   

“It’s so special to do something special like this with the club, I can’t wait.” 
Amid recognising Simon and Steve’s dedicated Raiders journey, the club would like to thank all members who have chosen to join the Raiders family.  

You can still join the Raid and become a member. Visit www.raiders.com.au/membership