A group of Motueka women are lacing up their boots and smoothing down their skirts to turn out at this weekend’s Leisure Marching Nationals in Rangiora.
The motto of the sport is “fun, fitness and friendship”, and participant Julie Griffith says their goal is to “get out, present well, and have a good time”.
Their troop is called Rangatū, which translates to “march” in Māori, and their routine is ninety seconds – “of awesomeness”, interjects Julie – to a remix of The Mama’s and the Papa’s California Dreaming.
Unlike competitive marching, the event is about participation and presentation, so there is no judging component (except perhaps from up in the stands, the women quip).
Katrinna Stephens has been marching fairly consistently her whole life – ever since the days of being a Royalette in high school. However, most of the other troop members haven’t gone near the sport since they were in school, so there is a gap of about 40 years for most of them. Rangatū has been up and running for about four months now, practising weekly.
Katrinna says marching is a dwindling sport, “so we need to support it now while we can.” Anyone interested in getting involved, either in leisure or competitive marching, can contact Katrinna at mskatstephens@gmail.com.
