Cromwell witnessed over 100 marching ladies stomping along Central Otago Hockey Turf in Cromwell on Valentines Weekend, as part of the South of the South Display Day. 

Leisure Marching in New Zealand is an amateur sport that offers participants a strong sense of team spirit and self-discipline. 

Devoted marchers say the sport heightens powers of concentration and physical fitness, encourages good deportment, pride in grooming and personal achievement and offers musical enjoyment, lifelong friendships and opportunities of travel. 

Marchers put an emphasis on fun, friendship and fitness. 

All up there were nine teams, who came from as far as Fairlie to Bluff. 

The Central Pioneers, from Alexandra, marched with distinction in Cromwell. 

Leisure Marching has been going now for just over 30 years. It was started by Audrey Rodgers of Tauranga. 

There are over 100 teams throughout New Zealand, with ages ranging from 45 to 90 years of age. 

Cromwell Leisure Marchers’ Kate Dundass says the group are a non-competitive group who come together each week for fun, fitness and friendship. 

“Every year there is a NZ National Day and the South Island and North Island Regional Days where all teams endeavour to attend where funds and other commitments allow. 

“These events are something for us to all work towards, and are real social highlights of the year.” 

The event was officially the The Gate Leisure Marchers field day, with the aims to celebrate Valentine’s Day and raise money to enable the marchers to travel to Blenhiem for this year's South Island field day. 

“It also works as a practice for the teams who are travelling to the NZ Nationals in Palmerston North on the 5-6 March.”  

Cromwell’s ‘The Gate’ Leisure Marchers in full attire. 

If you would like to join the fun and fitness with the ladies, leisure marching teams are recruiting now. No experience is necessary.

Simply search for your local team, such as Cromwell or Alexandra, online at the Leisure Marching NZ website here.