OTARA, Tāmaki Makaurau – Māori Football Aotearoa was on the ground at Ha Ora Have A Go Marae Fun Day at Otara Pools Complex today.
Daniel Cassidy, Phill Parker and Reon Werahiko were present to offer Whanapokiri opportunities to the local community.
“Why the Ha Ora Have A Go Day is important for Māori Football Aotearoa is that it gives us an opportunity to connect intergenerationally between young and old.
“Football provides a gentle opportunity for our people to come together to improve their health, happiness and fitness, in a culturally familiar way, a way they may not ordinarily experience,” Parker said.
Māori Football Aotearoa has been active in bringing communities together intensively over the past year including the Kōtuitui programme at Whakarewarewa Primary School, building closer ties with Waiariki FC in Rotorua and consolidating relationships among indigenous people in Vanuatu, Fiji, Cook Islands, New Caledonia and Hawaii.
Werahiko, who alongside Cassidy ran today’s football activities, said planning for Ha Ora had been in place for some time but was focussed on a relaxed approach to making the day enjoyable.
“Running fun rotation games and mini football giveaways for tamariki are just some of the ideas we hoped to implement today but its important to be adaptable to how things play out with numbers.
“The main theme is that Māori Football Aotearoa has a clear supportive presence on the ground and leaning into the kaupapa and wairua of the day,” he said.
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Photo Credit: Māori Football Aotearoa Media
