'Euro Haka' to open tournament
Friday, June 3, 2005
Article summary
More than 500 children from the north-west of England will help to open UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.
Article body
More than 500 children from across the north-west of England will be involved in a day of activity to celebrate the opening of the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship on Sunday.
Opening dance
The children will come together to perform the 'Euro Haka' at SportCity in Manchester ahead of England's opening game against Finland. Most synonymous with New Zealand rugby, the traditional Maori haka is a dance of welcome and challenge. The Haka theme has been adapted to produce eight individual Hakas, each a reflection of the culture of the eight competing teams in UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.
Further perfomance
The Euro Haka will feature initially as the opening ceremony for the Community Football Festival, taking place at SportCity prior to England's opening game in the adjacent City of Manchester Stadium. There will be a further performance before the Community Football Festival presentations and again on 19 June in Blackburn town centre, prior to the final at Ewood Park .
Growing excitement
The children from as far and wide as St. Thomas School in Kendal to Trinity High School in Manchester and Prescot Primary School on Merseyside have been rehearsing with growing excitement, in the knowledge that they will be part of a major European sporting event.
'Great opportunity'
Judith Richards of St. Thomas School said: "This is such a great opportunity for our pupils to be part of a multi-cultural celebration of sport. We were more than delighted to be asked to represent Cumbria on the day."
Professional involvement
The project has been supported by the Arts Council North-West, resulting in the involvement of professional dance groups such as Ludus, Dance Initiative Greater Manchester and the Merseyside Dance Initiative.
'Great medium'
A wealth of talent in dance will undoubtedly be reflected in the flair, vitality and exuberance of the whole spectacle. Rachel Towe, of Ludus dance, said: "Sport is a great medium to attract new participants and a wider audience to dance. We were thrilled to be involved with the project."