Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sidline Sid was delighted to see on SunLive last week that Hori BOP is back on board with the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union for at least the next two Steamers ITM Cup seasons.

Hori BOP.

While Hori BOP seems to have been around forever, there have been several versions around before the current favourite made his entrance a number of season ago.

Today's Hori BOP has a several different personalities, and can be known as Hori Tunnels or Hori Leaming if the occasion arises.

Previously the ‘Unofficial Mascot' of the Steamers, Hori now assumes the role of the Steamers ‘Number One Fan'.

He also has a new number one friend being Steamie the Steamers ‘Official Mascot'.

In his new newfound role, Hori BOP has several official duties.

Steamie.

Along with being the head organiser of lolly scrambles, he is expected to make as much noise as possible in support of the Steamers and lead the waves of support for ‘Our Team'.

The word mascot traces back to describe anything that brings luck. Often the mascots name in sport reflects such as a fighting spirit with the New Zealand Warriors Rugby League team providing a perfect example.

Mascots in New Zealand sport are a fairly new phenomenon. In new innovations, we tend to be 20 years behind America and 10 years behind Australia.

Rugby mascots in this country have come in to fashion since the advent of the professional game and usually go hand-in-hand with marketing.

They can also provide extra excitement outside the game. Around 16 years ago Sideline Sid went to a NRL match at Bruce Stadium in Canberra on a cold cold winter day in late July.

The game was between the Raiders and Wests before they amalgamated with Balmain to become today's West Tigers.

The game was a quiet affair before the Raiders Viking mascot and the Wests Magpie decided to exchange pleasantries on the sideline.

After a verbal joust and some pushing and shoving, the Viking ended up on the ground where the Magpie proceeded to peck the fallen hometown mascot.

To much hilarity from the crowd, the two combatants were separated and banished to positions wide apart.

This Saturday afternoon, the vocal Steamers fans will get their first glimpse of their favourite players (and Hori BOP) at home, when the Steamers take on North Harbour at Baypark.

Hori BOP always adds plenty of colour to the Steamers home games. His loud and vociferous enthusiasm for all things blue and gold and his cheeky engagement with the visiting supporters helps makes the Steamers home games a unique occasion.

Outside the players he is kids' favourite, helped in no small part by the many lollies that he lobs to the bands of youngsters who follow him around the ground.

Sidline Sid believes that there is no better value in local sports than a ticket to a Steamers game. Twenty bucks (five bucks for kids) buys you a seat anywhere in the stadium with the early birds getting the plum seats on the halfway line.

Seeya on Saturday at the Steamers Game.