Petera Pride

NORTH HARBOUR BUCKET BAND

About two weeks before North Harbour played their first game, we were approached by Marchs (an Old Boy from Wesley College) and Frano Botica to help sing barracking songs at the game to enhance and hopefully provide the much needed support for the team itself. We would be joining with some Westlake Boys as their project did not kick off near the end.

Byron asked Kainga 3 boys and the 1st XV to see if they were keen on the idea.

A big YEAH came through and therefore practicing started which is once a week and all the boys enjoyed this get together for songs and laughter. There was much eagerness to learn and perform the items on the day and meeting some of the Westlake Boys has been great creating some new friendships. The boys also met Frano Botica and his son Ben who is part of the North Harbour squad. They have attended a couple of our trainings with their whanau.

We have had great feedback and they have even added a small frame of the boys performing on the North Harbour Official Webpage. This in the View Video Box.

We have received many calls from whanau saying they have seen or recognized the boys performing at the game here and there and it has been a great outing for the adults (Byron, Marcus, Coach Paora, Uncle Les) who are there to supervise the boys as well as to watch and be involved with North Harbour Barracking Team. A bus is always provided for us and we are taken right to the stadium entrance and dropped off like the PLAYERS are. After the game we walk directly back to our awaiting bus, and normally Marcus provides some light snacks (hot chips and hotdogs) which are consumed with delight, which we have back at Hato Petera in Kainga 3’s common room.

If you have watched the game and caught a glimpse of us on TV you will also notice the boys signs are always the THUMBS UP. Byron has stressed that under no circumstances are they to do any other signs.

This has been a positive interaction for the boys to be involved with and they are also having fun singing and doing the haka.

Regards



Byron Davis
Kainga 3