Youngsters loving own world cup

Hailyn Makiri, 4, shows off her balancing skills.

The real Rugby World Cup isn't being held until September, and it's in the UK, but yesterday hundreds of Northland children took part in their own big event - the Educare Rugby World Cup Games at the ASB Stadium in Whangarei's Kensington Park.

Hunter Whareraum, 4, was a champion tackler.

Educare general manager Marianne Walker said about 150 3 to 4-year-olds from Educare's eight Whangarei centres took part in the games, which was a fabulous event for the children and their families. Ms Walker said this was the fourth year Educare had run the games, though the theme changed yearly.

Stella Hanekom, 3, is set to go through the obstacles.

"With this being Rugby World Cup year we had a bit of a rugby theme going on with the kids using tackle bags, throwing a rugby ball through a hoop and kicking it into a goal, but also an obstacle course, balloon volleyball, running races and the tunnel and ladders," she said.

Manuera Maunsell, 3, navigates the tunnel.

Students from Kamo High School and Whangarei Girls' High School helped run the games for the youngsters, along with Sport Northland.

Mana Paraha, 4, fires through the obstacle course.

Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham went along too.