Rabid Wekas invade Izmir

Where can you find the biggest collection of wekas outside New Zealand? In Izmir, Turkey, supporting the Tall Blacks, that's where.

"Sergs", a founding member of the Wekas, and "Bandit" his off-sider gave me an exclusive on this enthusiastic cheerleading crew of fine young and youngish New Zealanders. The "Rabid Wekas" (their full title, apparently) were founded when a group of Christchurch club ball players decided to head to the 2002 Indianapolis, USA World Basketball Champs. New recruits have swelled the core of eight to 15 or so.

The Wekas cheerleading of Tall Black fans has been inspirational, their creativity only slightly affected by the totally humour-free zone that is tournament security. Take hats: day one - the Wekas turn up with German style helmets, labelled WEKA. No, not allowed the helmets in the stadium. Day two - black fez caps, allowed. Day three - black and white leather caps labelled "POLIS". No, not allowed.

Luckily, security couldn't restrict chanting, although the red jacketed robots stationed around the stadium floor often looked pretty nervous as the Wekas let rip, especially when the customised-to-each-game singlets came off in the fourth quarter.

Sample chants over the last three games: "We love you Tall Blacks, we do (X3), Tall Blacks we love you!" "Give us a wave Tupu, give us a wave Tupu!" to Assistant Coach Chris Tupu who responded, eventually, with a restrained 'V' sign, "USA! USA!" to the Canadian team, "Abercrombie and Fitchett! Abercrombie and Fitchett" when Tom and Mike were on court together.

Incidentally, the Tall Blacks are probably the trendiest team in the tournament: all the young Turkish guys are wearing Abercrombie and Fitch tee shirts and hats. And "Pero, Pero!" any time the big man did anything.

The Wekas do a mean haka at least once a game. A stream of young Turkish tournament volunteers then line up for a haka tutorial - or at least a photo with the Wekas.

The Wekas even charmed the Lebanese fans into loaning them their drum. I guess this only goes to prove that basketball fans really are brothers under their varied colours.

Sergs and Bandit told me they're staying in the Red Light district of Izmir and that it was a little "weird". They told me some other things, but said I couldn't repeat it, so I won't, but it seemed the Wekas were getting more response out of the FIBA One World Russian dancers (not much, despite a lot of effort) than from any of the local girls.

Here's hoping the Wekas make it to Istanbul where the Tall Blacks will need their support more than ever and where the girls might be more vulnerable to their undoubtedly high-octane Kiwi charm.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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