Junior numbers explode in Kaitaia touch module
The numbers of junior players taking part in touch this summer have exploded according to the organisers of the Top Field Module.
This year the Year 3/4 grade is being contested by six teams, the Year 5/6 grade has eight teams, and the Year 7/8 division, six teams making for a total of 20 teams compared with the 12 registered last season.
The junior divisions play from 4pm each Tuesday night, followed by the senior competitions which start at 5.30pm and features six teams in the competitive section and 10 in the social grade.
Event organisers said it was rewarding to see the juniors so enthusiastic and it was great having most of their teams well supported by whanau, many of whom stayed on to play in the senior section later.
One junior team which is part of the rise in the sport’s rising surge in popularity in the town is the Pamapuria Year 3/4s.
Coach Sera Latu thought this may well be the first year the school had entered a side in the competition. and said was no shortage of conviction from the players.
“[They are] Absolutely into it! It’s new for all of them,” she said, adding that the team received great support from the parents.
Latu also noted Pamapuria School principal Cheryl Bamber had begun a movement by getting students and wider community to apply the catchphrase, Making a Difference, and which is now used as a hashtag for all of the school’s posts on Facebook.
“We are encouraging our teachers, students and wha¯nau get help us to ‘make a difference’ with our kids because we value them and they are so worth it,” Latu said.