Leisure
Marching History |
|
| Audrey Rodgers
the founder of Leisure Marchers in New Zealand has kindly supplied some brief early
history and starting the history file rolling.
Additions are welcome. |
|
| 4 Apr 91 |
At the invitation of Audrey Rodgers,
six friends met at Fergusson Park Tauranga to form a marching team purely for exercise,
fun and friendship, ages 50 plus. The team was named "The Marching Grans" |
| June 91 |
TV One filmed this for the Holmes
Show. This started the Leisure Marching throughout New Zealand. The second team to form
was the "Silver Crowns". 
The Marching Grans with Mark Sainsbury filming for the Holmes
Show |
| 6 Oct 91 |
Both teams gave Tauranga Domain for
“Life Span have a Go" organised by Tauranga District Council |
| 3 Nov 91 |
First Open Day for the various teams
was held at Fergusson Park when a large number of the public attended. |
| 24 Nov 91 |
Marching Grans invited to Rotorua to
march at the "Your Only Young Twice" Festival arranged by the Rotorua District
Council. |
| 1991 |
The idea of leisure marching on the
Kapiti Coast was inspired by an item on The Holmes Show in 1991 when he interviewed the
newly formed Tauranga team. Proving age was no barrier, a group of over 50’s Kapiti
Coast women formed their own marching team and called it the JOYSTEPPERS. A year later
they added the name Waikanae and became the WAIKANAE JOYSTEPPERS. Their first march was at
the Levin Christmas Parade in December 1991. (added by Waikane Joysteppers
July 2010) |
| 1991 |
After seeing the Holmes Show a group
of Levin ladies formed the Silver Tops, finally disbanding in 2009.
(added byJudith Tyler Augy 2010) |
| Feb 92 |
In Tauranga a well attended meeting
of ladies interested in marching was held. From this meeting, Tauranga Classics, Golden
Kiwis, and Matua Majors marching teams were formed and later the Impalas. |
| Feb 92 |
The Gran-a-Dears tea in Rotorua and
later Glenbrae. |
| 1 April 1992 |
Kiwi Gems formed |
| April 1992 |
Leisurelites were formed in North
Shore Auckland. |
| 25 Apr 92 |
An Open Day was held at Rotorua with
12 teams taking part. |
| Nov 92 |
Tauranga's second Open Day held at
Wharepai Domain for all teams. The name Leisure Marchers was chosen for all non
competitive teams. |
| 20 Mar 93 |
Rotorua hosted the first New Zealand
Open Day for Leisure Marchers and twenty two North Island teams took part. |
| 7 Apr 93 |
Names were still being received from
ladies wishing to arch. The Blue Belles and Greerton Gold teams were formed also two teams
in Te Puke, RSA Ladies and Simply Magic. |
| 1995 |
Levin Lakers formed later to become the Happy Hookers.
(added byJudith Tyler Augy 2010) |
| 2004 |
Remax/Reds formed (and in 2010 changed their name to Taitoko
being the name first suggested for Levin).
(added byJudith Tyler Augy 2010) |
|
