New game seeks players
It is said walking is as good a means of exercise as running and a Cannons Creek man is out to prove that adage correct with a game he has invented.
Allan ‘‘Hinz’’ Davey is hoping his game, ‘‘hikoi pupuri’’ (walking hold), will catch on and help raise Porirua’s fitness levels.
‘‘My idea was go get people off the couch,’’ he says.
Mr Davey, who ran touch rugby clubs in Porirua for 20 years until his knees gave out, came up with hikoi pupuri 10 years ago as a warmup exercise for touch players. It is similar to touch, except players cannot run – they must walk.
There is no tackling in the five- a- side, indoor sport. Players get their opposition into an arm grip to gain possession of the ball, with contact only allowed between the waist and shoulders.
The game is far from easy, however, Mr Davey says.
‘‘ Friends of mine have tried it, they go away with a good workout,’’ he says.
Only three substitutions can be made per 40- minute game and the ball must be passed at least twice before a tackle can be made.
‘‘A lot of ball skills come out. Sometimes the ball shifts four or five times through our hands,’’ Mr Davey says.
Unfit, overweight, injured or older people are ideal players for the game, but it is open to anybody, Mr Davey says.
‘‘ Men, women, kids can play it. It’s an enjoyable way to lose weight and to get fit,’’ he says.
‘‘‘It’s for anybody and everybody.’’
Four teams currently play all year round on Saturdays at Mana College’s netball court, but interested players do not have to be part of a team.
They can just show up and join in.
‘‘I’ve had a vision for years that this game will take off.
‘‘It’s just been word of mouth,’’ he says. ‘‘Eventually, hopefully, it will pay for itself like touch does.’’
If you are interested in playing hiko pupuri, call Allan Davey on 021 104 9156 or Whare Henry on 021 277 8606.