Double blast of holiday fun

Kawerau Bubble Blast. Photo / kawerauonline.co.nz

As part of the Easter school holidays the Kawerau Bubble Blast is bound to get local youngsters excited.

The one-off event is a collaboration between Kawerau Youth Council, Kawerau Take the Lead project and Infinite ConnectioNZ and is part of a wider project designed to capture the voice of the youth in the Kawerau district.

Kawerau Bubble Blast was born as a hybrid of the two main activities taking place on the day.

The Take the Lead leadership programme has adopted ownership of the phenomenon known as Bubble Soccer, whilst the newly formed Kawerau Youth Council will help with delivery of Laser Tag, inside the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre.

A specially designed course, with inflatable obstacles, will be created in the darkened recreation centre with pumping sounds, flashing lights, smoke machine and laser displays for the Laser Blast.

Youth Projects officer JJ Rika is helping pull the day together.

"I approached some Kawerau youth and asked them on their thoughts about possibly hosting laser tag in Kawerau. Their faces lit up with excitement and, apparently, laser tag is very popular among the younger age group."

Take the Lead facilitator Amy Hayes said she and her colleagues were incredibly excited about the event.

"The Kawerau Bubble Blast is the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate towards our common goals, to engage youth in the community through play and give them a voice.

"The Take the Lead girls will play a huge role in the day from organisation, marking pitches, registration, safe use of equipment and refereeing the games, through to gathering feedback from their peers."

All activities are free, registrations will be required to participate on the day. Organisers hope to attract around 200 Kawerau youth aged between 11 and 18 during the day.