Young fans wowed by Swiss role models

Every athlete once looked up to the heroes of their sport.

• Swiss embracing what city has to offer

Yesterday, young footballers in Dunedin had the chance to do just that.

The Swiss football team, which has selected Dunedin as their base for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, held their first opening training session at Tahuna Park yesterday morning.

Players and support staff were relaxed as they split off to run through different drills at the newly improved pitch.

While they trained, Tahuna Intermediate pupils performed various Zumba dances, led by instructor Paola Miraglia, in the grandstand and watched in awe as the Swiss players completed their session.

They were then lucky enough to interact with the players up close, as they mingled with the children taking photos and signing autographs.

Players Julia Stierli and Geraldine Reuteler were impressed with Tahuna Park and loved interacting with the school pupils.

"They were so cute — it was so cool," Reuteler said.

"They were happy and that made us happy."

Stierli said the pupils were respectful and it was nice to hear them cheering the team on as they went through their drills.

Being role models and allowing younger athletes to see them training was important to help encourage them in their own sports, she said.

"I think it’s always nice to see young kids look up to you.

"I hope they have goals too if it’s in football, or in other sports, like rugby."

Switzerland will play their opening game of the World Cup against the Philippines on Friday.