A group of 20 excitable James Hargest College students let rip yesterday screaming and cheering - and they can't wait for tomorrow's ticker tape parade to welcome home Southland's Olympians.

The Invercargill City Council is organising a street parade tomorrow starting at 4pm.

The parade will honour gold medallist Nathan Cohen, bronze medallist Storm Uru, and Jade Uru, Louise Ayling, Natalie Wiegersma, Eddie Dawkins and Natasha Hansen. All of them except for Hansen attended James Hargest.

James Hargest College associate principal Nadia Rose said the school had encouraged students to attend the parade.

"We're glowing with pride and they're just awesome role models for our students."

Rower Louise Ayling said yesterday the celebrations would be amazing.

"It's blown me away that Southland is so supportive of their athletes. You don't realise it until you get home and it's so special."

She will talk to year 13 students and the High Performance Sports Unit at the school today while rowers Storm Uru and Nathan Cohen will attend the assembly tomorrow.

All Southlanders have been invited to join in the celebrations tomorrow.

A pipe band would lead the parade and would feature one person from each of the 26 countries competing in the world youth cycling championships at the velodrome this week.

Ticker tape would be handed out or could be collected free from shops along the route.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt said the Invercargill City Council had ordered about 10,000 rolls of ticker tape and would release 1000 balloons.

Mr Shadbolt, along with the Olympians, will address the crowd from the balcony of the Civic Theatre after the parade.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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