Rugby team showcases roots to fund trip

A Karratha rugby club transformed the Karratha Leisureplex into a Pacific tropical island paradise on Saturday, April 23 for a Polynesian Cultural Fundraiser Night.

The cultural immersion event drew more than a hundred people to the Karratha Lesiureplex for a night of family entertainment that also raised money for the club’s trip to the Flanders Open Rugby Union tournament in Belgium on May 13-15.

Karratha Cavaliers Rugby Club captain Nik Pua said the theme idea had come from local curiosity about Polynesian culture.

“The majority of us (in the club) are Polynesian,” he said. “That includes Maoris, Samoans, and we have a Cook Islander, and we have one Aboriginal from Queensland.”

“We speak different languages but our culture, our beliefs, and our languages are similar.”

“A lot of Australians are always interested so we thought we’d put on a cultural night and you guys can come down and see it.”

The night featured dances and songs from countries in the Polynesian triangle, which encompasses the entire area between the Hawaiian Islands, Easter Island and New Zealand.

There was a Haka performance put on by Maori New Zealander residents, a Cook Islands grass skirt act and a Samoan slap dance.

Australian indigenous culture was also on display with a dance performed by a group of Ngarluma men led by Patrick Churnside, and guests were treated to a buffet of traditional Polynesian food.

Mr Pua said a lot of the Cavaliers Rugby Club members were past the age of playing at an international club level but were keen to get back on the field at the Flanders Open.

Funds raised will go towards trip accommodation and transport costs.