Kids' pole antics just 'a sport'

Family values campaigners are concerned about a pole-dancing competition that opened with a display by young children.

The Central Poledance Championships held in Wellington last night featured a performance by five children, aged between 8 and 13.

Organiser Sarah Metcalfe said the event focused on exercise and sport and there was no sleazy element. Spectators were encouraged to bring their children along, she said

"There's no reason why it can't be a family event."

She said competitors weren't allowed to touch themselves or remove any clothing and had to wear items that covered sensitive areas. G-strings and see-through clothing were banned.

"It's a sport for all ages," said Metcalfe.

The display was by members of the Kiwi Pole Kids group, part of Kiwi Pole Fitness, formerly Sensual Movements.

Owner Sonia Hendry said her children were not taught sensual dance. "We do not teach them anything inappropriate. It's fitness, it's not pole dancing.

"It's not about the striptease side of it. That's completely different. We don't want children looked at it in that light."

Family First campaigner Bob McCoskrie said pole dancing had sexual connotations and he had concerns about the children's involvement.

"My initial response was if it's based around exercise and sport it's a good thing.

"If it's around skimpy outfits and sexualised positions then it's dodgy and the last thing we want 8 or 9-year-olds doing."

National Council of Women president Elizabeth Bang welcomed the exercise aspect of the activity but said the erotic links were hard to shake.

She was concerned about the age of the children involved. "It would be interesting to see what they're wearing."

Bang also questioned what sort of people were watching.

"Hopefully they're watching for the right reasons."

Owner of Pole Fitness New Zealand Casey Green, who teaches the activity in Auckland, thought "children should be children".

"It's not something I would welcome. I personally wouldn't allow it in my studio.

"What's wrong with playing on the jungle gym?

"If I had children I don't think I would even have them coming to the gym with me," she said.

She said pole dancing was about fitness and fun, but children should wait until they were older than 13 before taking it up.

Christchurch Women's Refuge chief executive Annette Gillespie said there was growing concern about increasing sexualisation of children.

"It's very concerning that New Zealand parents are encouraging their children to participate in a traditionally sexual activity in the name of sport," she said.