Shoppers get behind Kiwis

SUPPORTERS: Wairarapa children (from left) Caleb Anstis, 12, Zach Anstis, 8, and Sam Winslade, 12, leave messages of encouragement and support on the New Zealand Flag. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Caleb Anstis and Sam Winslade have inscribed messages of encouragement on a New Zealand flag set to fly at the Kiwis' 2014 Commonwealth Games team base in Glasgow.

The two Wairarapa 12-year-olds and Caleb's younger brother Zach, 8, were among dozens of people to write messages of support on the flag set up at Countdown Masterton on Wednesday.

Sport-mad Caleb said he was looking forward to watching the games on television.

"I'm going to watch as much as I can ... I like all of it," he said.

Mate Sam is also looking forward to the Games and left a message saying "good luck" to the Kiwi participants on the flag.

Meanwhile, Caleb's mum, Chris Anstis said it was a lovely gesture to get people to sign the flag which will hang in the Kiwi team base throughout the games.

"It's fantastic. It's good support for them," she said.

Shoppers to the store were invited to leave messages of support on the flag for the team which will fly pride of place. Masterton Countdown was one of 10 stores offering customers the chance to leave a message.

Countdown is a supporter of the Kiwi contingent going to the games as well as the 2016 New Zealand Olympic team.

Countdown managing director Dave Chambers said the business was proud to be the official partner of the New Zealand teams.

"This is just the start of our partnership with the New Zealand Olympic Committee and we're excited to be supporting our athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and beyond this, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio."

He hopes everyone will support the team as they prepare to leave for the Games.