The side has travelled one of the greatest distances of any participating team, 14, 745 km, so when 11-year-old Flanshaw Road School student David Ratahi launched into the haka, the travel-weary players were given new life.
The team’s visit to the school is part of a joint partnership between UNICEF and Oceania Football to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) during this year’s OFC President’s Cup.
Young Ratahi says while it was an honour to lead the haka, it’s not his first time welcoming important guests to the school.
“It was normal because we always do this. But it’s fun to meet some footballers from so far away and they’re a bit taller than I expected them to be,” he says.
Bodden Town captain Ramon Sealy says to be welcomed by a haka was a special moment for him and his teammates.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen it up close and personal. I’ve seen it before on TV and I’ve always thought it’s an amazing dance for them to do to start off a game or greet people but it was a great experience to see it live,” he says.
“It definitely gave me chills. I can’t imagine when the men do it, but when the kids were doing it, it was just a thrill getting through it.”
With time to introduce their country, their team and the plans to dominate the inaugural OFC President’s Cup as well as teach the kids a few ball skills, Sealy says it was a nice way to spend the morning.
“It was good to come here and see the kids and the joy on their faces at getting to meet us. It was a pleasure meeting all of them as well and showing a few of the skills that we have as well was amazing and I wish I could do it again.
“In fact, I’m going to talk to my teammates and we’re going to try and find them in the stands and look for them to celebrate when we score a goal.”
Ratahi’s classmate Roberta Gascu was also pretty impressed with the opportunity to greet international visitors and share a slice of Kiwi culture with them.
“I never thought there would be an international soccer team coming to our school so I’m really excited,” she enthused.
“It’s really different because usually we don’t have many visitors from far away coming to our school so it’s something new. The best thing about the visit is getting to meet them and get autographs.”
And Bodden Town weren’t the only side meeting the locals today, with Bahrain club Busaiteen, another side which has covered quite some distance, being warmly welcomed by Waitakere SDA.
Team captain Abdulla Budhaish says he and his teammates couldn’t have asked for a friendlier welcome to New Zealand.
“We have all left our families and children in Bahrain and we’ve come here to find children who are so friendly and we have had a very nice time with them,” he says.
“We’re very excited to have met them and taught them some skills – maybe there is a future in coaching for us and we’ve had a good start here.”
Waitakere SDA student Colin Lumsden was part of the official welcoming party for his school and says it was a great new experience to welcome Busaiteen to Auckland and New Zealand.
“They taught us how to head the ball, that the main food in Bahrain is rice and meat and it’s really hot there,” he says.
“I think they’ll win the competition because they’re very confident and good players.”
Fellow Waitakere SDA student Rachel Unkwiye, 10, says it was “the most awesomest thing ever!” to have Busaiteen in to visit.
“They so friendly and kind, and always so happy. It’s inspiring,” she says.
“I’ve learned that they really miss their kids and coming here is a new experience and journey. And that in Bahrain it’s very hot, like in my home country in Africa, Rwanda. It’s very hot there too, not like here in New Zealand.”
At both schools the teams participated in a Question and Answer session as well as a short football drill that allowed the children to interact with the players.
The final school visit will see Singapore U-23 visit Holy Cross Catholic School on Tuesday 18 November, following the opening match day of the OFC President’s Cup.
The celebrations will culminate with the Just Play Sports Day on 20 November at The Trusts Arena when over 400 students from participating west Auckland schools will experience the award-winning Just Play Programme in action.

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