Step into friendship

Trudy Holland shares her love for marching and suggests giving it a go! Enjoy fitness, friendship, and fun while building strength, posture, and teamwork in a welcoming and social environment.

How did you get started doing marching?

Many years back, when I was a young teen, I travelled to Blenheim with a friend who was taking part in a marching competition. I was really impressed watching how great they all looked marching together – so smart and disciplined. I wanted to be a marching girl. However, the opportunity wasn’t there at the time, and my life moved on with family and years of shift work. Marching didn’t really come up again until a friend gave me a copy of Best Life magazine and I saw the advertisement in the ‘What’s Happening’ pages. ‘Fun, Friendship and Fitness, a new marching team, was starting up.’ I thought about it overnight, then rang Margaret the next morning. I said I had never marched before, she was encouraging and suggested I come down that evening to watch what they do and meet the team. I went, watched, was impressed, and decided right then to give it a go. Now, I’m a team member.

What fitness do you need?

As long as you can walk, count, and swing your arms, you can learn to march. When I started, I didn’t even know how to swing my arms while walking. Apparently, most people do this naturally when they walk, but I didn’t.

What is your favourite thing about marching?

This was something new and challenging for me. I so enjoy being part of the Waimea Stars team. We have such a lot of fun. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and we do, and all laugh about it. Being new with no experience, I found everyone has been so keen to help me and make me feel included. I have enjoyed meeting new friends from all ages and different walks of life. We also have social gatherings where everyone has input into the team. We get to travel to other regions to participate in leisure marching competitions, as well as partake in local events, including the Christmas parade.

What are the benefits of marching?

Marching covers discipline, teamwork, good posture and keeps you fit in both body and mind. It can help you improve your body’s stability which is particularly beneficial for aging seniors. It strengthens the lower body muscles, promoting better posture and core stability without being hard on your joints. Marching is also good for your cardiovascular health. It helps us learn discipline as we have to follow the person in charge and work with the rest of the team.

What gear do you need?

Both the competition uniform and the practice and travel polo shirt are provided by the team. All you need to purchase is a pair of black trousers and black footwear.

Give marching a go. Join the Waimea Stars leisure marching team. Contact Margaret 027 251 9009.