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“KA MATE! Ka Mate!”

The challenge of the haka has been thrown down by some 200 Huddersfield youngsters.

And it will be so again next week in front of a worldwide TV audience, when they step on to the Galpharm Stadium pitch to perform the New Zealand haka – the traditional Maori warrior challenge – before the Huddersfield Giants v Wigan Warriors SuperLeague match.

It’s best known as the prelude to games featuring the famous New Zealand All Blacks but will be performed on May 18 by the Almondbury High School students to launch Big Dance 2012 across Kirklees.

Over 800 schoolchildren from 20 schools are learning routines which they will perform in the launch of Big Dance 2012 to promote dance as a fun exercise project.

And the youngsters learned from a true rugby league legend Robbie Hunter-Paul.

Hunter-Paul, who now works as business development officer for the Giants, grew up and learned his rugby in New Zealand.

But he also learned the haka, having lessons at school from the age of five and going on to be part of a title-winning haka team from his local high school.

There are thousands of haka that are performed by various tribes and cultural groups throughout New Zealand and the best known is called “Ka Mate”.

Hunter-Paul said: “It is seen as a challenge from one group of warriors to another and the boys have approached it in that way. They have really thrown themselves into it.

“I am really excited about the ‘Big Dance’ event to be held at Galpharm stadium on May 18, not only because the Huddersfield Giants will be hosting last year’s Challenge Cup winners, the Wigan Warriors, but also because I’m training 200 ‘Tama Toa’ (warriors) to perform a mass haka just prior to kick off.

“Being of Maori descent myself I know my warriors will represent their schools, their families and themselves with pride and honour.

“But just as importantly they’ll enjoy themselves in this once in a lifetime opportunity and also add to the massive spectacle that the whole evening will have to offer.

“There will be a crowd of about 10,000 at the stadium and millions more watching on TV as Sky broadcast the game. I just can’t wait”.

Around 400 young people aged nine to 11 years from across Kirklees are learning cheerleading moves which they will perform simultaneously on the pitch.

And a further 200 girls who currently take part in dance classes in the community run by Kirklees Council will perform a street dance routine.

Clr Jean Calvert, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member, said: “Big Dance 2012 is a great opportunity to profile, promote and share how much fun dance is.

“The young people taking part in these events have a wonderful opportunity to take part in different dance styles and perform in a fantastic venue in front of a large audience.

“It is an excellent way of involving a great many young people in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.”

Many of the young people will also showcase their cheerleading, street dance and Haka performances at the Stadium Spectacular on Friday, June 29, and other Big Dance events over the Summer.

Big Dance 2012 is part of the Cultural Olympiad and takes place between May 18 and September 9. Taking place across the UK Big Dance will feature thousands of events inspired by dance which will take place in all sorts of locations and in all dance styles.