KEY POINTS:
If there was a severe punishment for creating such a din, chances are the students of Bruce McLaren Intermediate would all be in jail.
The raucous bunch from rooms 3, 5, 7 and 10, who won tickets to yesterday's Botswana and Malawi match after designing posters promoting the
Netball World Championships, created a huge racket to make up for the hundreds of empty seats for two of the tournament's lesser lights at the Trusts Stadium.
Armed with thundersticks - the ear-aching choice of any serious netball fan - and an enthusiasm unmatched by any other parts of the small crowd, the mainly Year 7 students went about supporting their two adopted teams.
Indeed, the children from the Henderson school made such an impression with the organisers that after two quarters of the match they had a VIP seat upgrade next to a handful of flag-waving Malawi supporters singing songs in their Chichewa language.
"Our class is supporting Botswana because our teacher went to Africa a few years ago and she said it was a really cool place," said 12-year-old Jessica Tasker from room 7, who plays centre for her school netball team.
When told Malawi was also in Africa, Jessica responded: "I don't care, it's Botswana for me."
Her friend Cheyenne Molloy was also getting into the incessant "Botswana" chant which, amid the screams and stadium trampling, seemed easier to say than "Malawi".
"I like the goal shoot, I don't know her name but she seems pretty cool," she said.
The children were divided over their loyalties to the two African teams but were united on a couple of other things: watching netball during class time was "really cool" and the Silver Ferns would win the tournament.
"I think it will be the Silver Ferns and Australia in the final, definitely," said Cheyenne. Malawi won the match 44-32 but Botswana impressed with an improved performance from their debut match against Wales on Sunday.
Agnes Shiri, a Malawi native but resident in New Zealand for the past two years, said the children's antics were a welcome contrast to the local supporters, whom she described as "neutral".
"If this was Malawi there'd be singing and dancing in the stands. It's good to be here but New Zealanders aren't as animated as people are in my country."
Mrs Shiri, 28, who studies business and psychology at AUT, said there were just eight Malawi families living in Auckland so it was heartwarming to see sportspeople from her place of birth.
"Actually I know Edith, who's the assistant coach, and Mary Waya. It's nice to see them out there, it makes us feel good."
She thought the Silver Ferns "look like the strongest team here" and fancied their chances to go on to the final, where they would likely meet Australia.
Netball World Championships general manager Jane Patterson was pleased with the crowd turnout during the first few days of the tournament.
She was not concerned about small crowds for some of the games.
"Outside of the Wednesday it's pretty well sold. Things will only get better and one of the great things we're seeing is how diverse a city Auckland is," Ms Patterson said.
"We're getting people from all different communities coming to support their teams."
