Māori-Driven Rugby Camp Takes the World by Storm in New Zealand
Acknowledge it, we’ve all lined up in front of the TV to energetically imitate the All Blacks doing “Ka Mate” – and this isn’t exclusive to kiwi folks.
From Aotearoa to Ireland to Japan to Mozambique, Troy Nathan has been touring the world for the past 10 years taking haka and rugby to young, aspiring tamariki of all different backgrounds and cultures.
Nathan mentioned that they aspire to become future All Blacks, irrespective of whether they are Kiwis or not.
Just like when we promote our culture abroad and share our principles, it’s equally crucial for our Māori people to grasp what we’re up to and recognize just how valued our culture is globally.
The Haka Rugby Global program features more than 30 "true-blue Kiwis" as coaches, blending rugby skills with Māori culture and values, catering to kids between 8 and 16 years of age.
Each camp is kicked off with a pōwhiri, whaikōrero, waiata, and a hongi, and throughout the camp they learn a haka that is specific to the kaupapa.
A poroporoaki (farewell) is conducted by the children right at the conclusion.
Nathan said it changes the lives of children over the course of just three days, often leaving parents in tears.
Facebook reviews expressed admiration for a "one-of-a-kind encounter steeped in Māori culture over three days," according to one post.
A different reviewer mentioned that their children wouldn’t stop discussing their encounter and performed the haka whenever possible.
"Yeah, it's a rugby camp, but there’s also greater emphasis on Māori culture," Nathan stated.
Several children who passed through the Haka Rugby Global program have grown up to become mentors for the newer generations.
"To delve deeper into educating children is a significant motivating force for us. However, our aim is to use multiculturalism and rugby as tools to aid in shaping future global leaders," Nathan stated.
About 140 enthusiastic children attend each camp, with funding coming from their parents for every session. It’s this enthusiasm that encourages the coaches to keep returning.
This year, as Haka Rugby Global reaches its 100th training camp, they're planning their largest event ever set for London on August 8th, where approximately 160 children have signed up. Interestingly, this takes place just two weeks before the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.
Even with the large number of children involved, Nathan mentioned it was "simple" to maintain order among them.
The essence lies in the multicultural aspect. Whenever we say 'hope,' folks put their hands on their hips instead. But if you were to blow a whistle and instruct them to be quiet, they wouldn’t comply, correct?
If you ask them to perform pūkana, everyone will join in together – this is our most potent action; it leverages the multicultural aspect, which instills discipline.
The children have taken up mana waves and phrases such as "tu meke," "mōrena," and "ka kite" too, with coaches being called "uncles."
Nathan mentioned he engages in his work to demonstrate to children in Aotearoa that there are professional opportunities available overseas.
No matter where I travel, I stand as an ambassador for both my identity and my community. This isn’t solely about me; we carry the legacy of more than just our kinfolk—we embody the spirit of everybody from our homeland.
Nathan (Ngāpuhi) spent his childhood in West Auckland and was part of an academy rugby team before moving on to play professional rugby in Ireland, Italy, and Scotland sequentially.
He thought he'd be playing rugby forever.
"I went through a transition period where I thought, well, if I finish rugby, I'll be in a rut."
Therefore, he supported several enterprises before retiring and then established Haka Rugby Global.
I believe, and particularly fellow Kiwis would agree, that we excel at thinking beyond conventional boundaries. It’s part of our upbringing – we’re accustomed to navigating from start to finish without getting stuck along the way.
It was a project he doesn't wish to fade away.
It’s akin to getting a shot of dopamine. You keep craving more and more because you’re always surrounded by your mates, sharing loads of laughter and fun; it feels so effortless. Soon enough, it turns into something habitual where you find yourself wanting it repeatedly.
The camp for children is a key factor, but Haka Rugby Global also helps soften the impact for ex-professional rugby players moving into new jobs, he mentioned.
That's a significant emphasis for us since we want our team members, particularly those from Europe who have ventured into playing rugby, to thrive as well.
The reason boys tend to fall into a routine is that they miss the sense of community. Playing rugby is fantastic, and you also have the opportunity to visit various countries, stay at hotels, and interact with different cultures.
According to Nathan, for many of the coaches, it felt akin to staying within the professional rugby sphere; however, they found fulfillment through imparting Māori customs and traditions to others.
If the All Blacks weren’t among the top dominating teams globally, we wouldn’t find ourselves in this position, but I deeply understand that it’s the Māori culture which has brought us here.
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