By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK
They apply face paint with the skill of a supermodel, but their holler is louder than a bullhorn.
The world over, they are the hard-core sports fans whose devotion to the game sees them garnished in team colours from nose to toe.
They are out in force at Euro 2000, and you'll see them tomorrow night at Eden Park, most likely on the terraces, when the All Black squad meets Scotland in the second test.
So why do sports fans coat their bodies in paint?
An Auckland University social psychologist, Graham Vaughan, says the ritual can simply be driven by fun. However, people usually pull out their paintbrushes because of a desire to identify with a social group, providing self-definition.
"Face painting's not so much about personal adornment, it's about identifying with a group.
"For a lot of people, especially males, a sports team can provide them with that identity," says Dr Vaughan, who heads the university's social psychology department.
A factor behind face painting in the Soccer Euro 2000 series includes the need to hide from authorities.
"With all the hooliganism that's been going on with the Euro soccer, people are likely to be painting their faces to disguise themselves from the police and the television cameras when things turn nasty."
But for die-hard Warriors fan Katheryn Ottaway, aged 17, "Face painting's just a really cool way to show your support for a team."
An Otorohanga College student, Katheryn spends around 45 minutes painting her face in team colours before a big game. Her first Warriors game saw her go to the special effort of painting four perfect quarters of red, white, green and blue on her face.
"When you do it has to look perfect. I just love the Warriors and I like to go all out and show that I support the guys. They've been getting heaps of negative press and I think they're great and I just want to help."
Katheryn opted to tone down her usual full-face paint for the Warriors-Penrith game after an opportunity came up to meet the team. "I didn't want to look like a weirdo."
On the field players, enjoy nothing more than seeing a block of team colour in the stands. Warriors player Jason Death has his own personal fan club, called Death Row, who attend games dressed as the grim reaper, ghouls and ghosts. Black face paint, sickles and scream-style masks complete the look.
"Getting all dressed up makes things a lot more fun and really improves the atmosphere," says Death.
"It feels really good, it's great to see people out there making the effort. I'm really proud to have my own fan club, it's just unbelievable. They're always out there showing their allegiance."
Dr Vaughan agrees that face painting is a great way to demonstrate support for a team - "Players feel a real buzz and a charge knowing they have fans there. We're a small country and sport is one of our really big things."
Fan-tastic faces of sports fans
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