Right: Selwyn Ballet dancers (from left) Stu Taylor, Peter
Ralph, Tom Heaton, Luke Burgess (obscured), Joe Gunson and
Oliver Salt perform in the Octagon yesterday.
A group of ballet dancers started the countdown to the
2011 Rugby World Cup in Dunedin yesterday.
The University of Otago Selwyn Ballet performed a specially
commissioned work for the Rugby World Cup roadshow, Spin it
Wide, which marks one year until the competition starts.
"It's something we've been working on since March and this is
the first time we've performed it," Selwyn Ballet member
Chris Brewer said.
"It's good to do something to help promote the World Cup."
The burly ballerinas followed up their dance with a rugby
ball passing race, which they only narrowly lost, against
members of the Otago rugby team.
Boyd McPherson (10), of Wakari School, shows his skills
during the 2011 Rugby World Cup Spin it Wide roadshow in
the Octagon yesterday. Photos by Peter McIntosh.
Dunedin primary schools Grants Braes, Fairfield and
Wakari then competed in rugby skills drills in the Octagon
carriageway, which was closed for the hour-long promotion.
"It's great to see so many kids here getting excited about
the World Cup," Spin it Wide roadshow co-ordinator Aaron Joy
said.
"It looks like Dunedin's getting right behind it."
The 2011 Rugby World Cup begins on September 9 next year at
Eden Park in Auckland.
Three matches will be played in Dunedin: Scotland v Georgia
(September 14), England v Romania or Uruguay (September 24)
and Ireland v Italy (October 2).
- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz
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