Bubble soccer a blast with youth
14 April 2015
BOBBLE HEADS: One bubble soccer player tips backwards in an inflated collision during Wednesday’s bubble soccer.
Photos Troy Baker
MORE than 300 teenagers filled Kawerau’s Ron Hardie Recreation Centre as part of the town’s Bubble Blast event on Wednesday.
The fun day of school holiday activities was hosted by Kawerau District Council staff and volunteers, which included inflatable bubble soccer outside and lazer tag inside the centre.
It aimed to attract young people and collect their views about living in Kawerau, information that would be the building blocks for the town’s draft youth policy.
Youth projects officer JJ Rika said registrations began at 9am and each person received an event passport.
These booklets included space for stamps from each activity: lazer tag; a sausage sizzle; bubble soccer; and consultation about Kawerau.
When each participant filled their passport they could enter it into a draw for a giant Easter egg and other chocolate treats.
Students from the Kawerau Youth Council and Take the Lead programmes ran laser tag and inflatable bubble soccer, while a group of six students walked around with surveys to collect further feedback.
Mr Rika said many of the young people involved asked if the day could become an annual event.
It attracted a good spread of participants and really captured the town’s youth voice, he said.
LAZER TEAM: Co-eds Te-Kira and Paige Mihinui prepare for a round of laser tag. 
KNEES UP: A bubble soccer player rolls head over heels inside their inflatable suit.
Source: Whakatane Beacon