The Bendigo Fighting Miners' head coach Charlie Ihaka has announced that Torben Vedelsby will captain the team in the 2005 Rugby Union season.

Ihaka had a difficult task as several candidates with leadership credentials were available. The captaincy became open following the transfer of dual premiership captain Gideon Tauelangi to the Box Hill Club to further his career in the Premier Division.

Bendigo born, Torben, 25, was Vice-Captain in the 2004 season and is a dual premiership player.

Torben joined the club in 2002 playing as a loose forward, winning the Best New Player award in that year.  He previously played for 2 years with the now defunct Deakin University side from Geelong.

Currently he is in his Fourth Year Primary School teaching doing Honors at LaTrobe University Bendigo. 

As on-field manager, he was also instrumental in the success of the Try Rugby program in Bendigo last year.

Torben is held in great respect from the whole playing group and has grown into a leadership role over the last year.  He led the side in last month's Tsunami Charity Match against Hay.

Vice Captain for the 2005 season is Karim Khodja.  Karim was Runner Up in last year's Dyett Medal. His game improved dramatically last year when he was shifted to the Full Back role after the serious injury to Brendan Ward.  He is a two time Victorian Country Representative. Karim joined the Fighting Miners in 2001 after a season with the defunct Bendigo Dragons rugby league team.

Torben's first chance to lead the side for competition points is on Saturday April 16^th when the Bendigo Fighting Miners take on the Puckapunyal Boars at Shadforth Park, North Bendigo with kick off being at 3:30pm.