New Zealand rugby stars bring Haka and fun to Hornstorf!

New Zealand rugby stars bring Haka and fun to Hornstorf!

There's a lot going on in Hornstorf near Wismar at the moment. Three New Zealand rugby professionals began training young talent on Friday. Led by Troy Nathan, an experienced player and coach from New Zealand, 70 children and young people aged 8 to 17 are taking part in the “Haka Rugby Global Elite Camp”, which lasts until Sunday evening. The Union Buccaneers Wismar Rugby Club cordially invites anyone interested to watch the training.

The trainers have really planned something. They not only travel across Europe, but also across the pond - with stops in New York, Chicago and Melbourne - to spread the enthusiasm for rugby. They not only teach playful skills, but also essential values ​​such as discipline, tolerance and team spirit. However, only children with rugby experience who come from all over Northern Germany are eligible to take part.

Cultural highlights: The Haka

A particularly exciting highlight of the camp will be the performance of the Haka dance, a traditional Māori ritual from New Zealand. Often associated with New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks, the haka combines rhythmic movements, singing and impressive facial expressions to convey a sense of strength and shared determination. This tradition goes back to the late 19th century, like the Reporting on the Haka shows. The All Blacks perform it before every game to show respect for their roots and express team spirit.

Did you know that there are different versions of the Haka? For example, “Ka Mate” and “Kapa O Pango,” both of which have different meanings and contexts. The Haka is performed not only in sports, but also at weddings, funerals and other significant events, underscoring its cultural significance. Māori are happy to incorporate trained movements and song to express emotions such as defiance, joy or sadness and this is highly valued at camp.

Looking to the future

There's more on the agenda in the world of rugby. The European Championships in Rugby 7s will be held in Hamburg in the near future, and the German men even have a small chance of winning the title. This event is particularly important in the context of the Olympic plans for Hamburg. In addition, the more delicate format of rugby, so-called touch rugby, is enjoying growing popularity and is used to introduce newcomers in a playful way.

The return to traditional playing styles and the introduction of gestures such as the Haka offers not only the players in Hornstorf, but also the spectators a valuable cultural experience. Rugby is more than just a sport; it is an expression of community and identity.