School kids do the New Zealand Haka

Former New Zealand rugby player Robbie Hunter-Paul is visiting Batley Business and Enterprise College today (Thursday) to teach the basics of the sport as well as the dance traditionally performed before matches in New Zealand.

Hunter-Paul, who also played for the Huddersfield Giants, is now a business development manager. He has visited other schools in the borough to teach the dance.

His pupils will come together on May 18 at the Galpharm Stadium and perform the Haka before the Giant’s clash with Wigan, alongside cheerleaders and dancers from Kirklees.

The show will launch Big Dance 2012 – part of the Cultural Olympiad across the UK featuring thousands of events inspired by dance.

Hunter-Paul said: “Being of Maori descent myself I know my warriors will represent their schools, their families and themselves with pride and honour, but just as importantly they’ll enjoy themselves in this once in a lifetime opportunity and also add to the massive spectacle that the whole evening will have to offer.

“I just can’t wait.”