Marching to the same beat

The Taupō Cosmopolitan leisure marchers prepare to set off to Tauranga for the North Island Display Day. Photo: Dan Hutchinson

The Cosmopolitan Club Leisure Marchers are gathered in the carpark of the club preparing to head off to the North Island Display Day when I arrive, 15 minutes before departure.

Punctuality and precision is important in this sport, with its roots firmly embedded in World War II.

These days, the short skirts have been replaced by trousers and it is a sport largely done for fun, fitness and social reasons, rather than to win.

Leisure Marchers’ secretary and coach Tina Tapa says the group is largely made up of retirees – there’s eight of them when there should be nine ideally.

“If you can just slip in there that we're still needing one more person,” Tina says.

She says it’s a great way for retirees to keep fit. Some have been doing it for thgree or four decades, others for just a few months.

The non-competitive side of the sport is still going strong with 50 teams expected at the Display Day.

“All those ones that have marched most of their lives, but still want to carry on, but don't want to compete.

“This grade is keeping it alive in the country, because they're struggling in the competitive grades.”

She says the sport originated during the war when women were left at home and wanted to show some solidarity.

After the war, men joined in as instructors and teams were formed along company lines.

“Griffin's Biscuits had a team and Ford Dealers had a team ... it was a really big deal in those days, in the late 40s, early 50s.”

Tina has been doing it since she was eight years old.

To join the club email taupocossiemarchers@gmail.com