Sideline Sid - Sports blogger Sideline Sid is a local sport fanatic. Not only is he a classic rugby bloke but he has views, opinions and knowledge on all sports played in the Bay of Plenty.

We have all heard the saying "that you have more chance of being struck by lightning than...". Believe it or not Sideline Sid didn't get to Rotorua last Sunday to watch the Mighty Steamers defeat North Harbour because of lightning.

Being without transport I had arranged with a mate to go to the game with him. Just minutes before we were due to leave, he rang to say that he had had a call to a house that had been struck by lightning, and he was needed to assist with short term repairs to secure the house.

By the time he got back the only option was to watch the game on Sky Television. The Steamers not only got their ITM Cup campaign back on track, but they did it with the flare and style that typifies 'Out Team'.

Not only did the Steamers come right with a bang, but also the Warriors absolutely blitzed one of the real heavyweights of NRL over the last decade. The best part of the way the Warriors dealt to the Broncos was that they didn't take their foot off the pedal, but continued to punish the Brisbane team until the end.

The similarity between the Steamers and the Warriors is that they are both 'confidence' teams. When they hit their straps they play as if they are bulletproof, running in tries from anywhere.

It has been really interesting to read media reports on the Warriors over the last few days. It is now the 'Wonderful Warriors', when just a few weeks ago the media was calling for the coach and team to be sacked.

Two 'F' words sum up the two different types of people who say that they support a team. The FAN will be there through thick and thin, won't let the weather stop them from going to the game and gives their unconditional support to 'Their Team'.

The FOLLOWER is there yelling and screaming when the team is winning, and telling everybody and anybody that will listen, that they are the Warriors/Steamers number one fan.

When the Warriors/Steamers lose, or worse still, hit a form slump, they will bag the team at every opportunity. Game attendance figures support the absence of the fair weather follower. When the Warriors/Steamers are on fire the stadiums are full - when they hit a losing streak the seagulls often outnumber the spectators.

Next week, one of the biggest sporting festivals in the country hits the Western Bay of Plenty. The AIMS (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) GAMES have grown from four sports and 21 mainly Bay of Plenty schools, to 14 sports and 107 schools in seven short years.

Sidline Sid is delighted to see the entrance of Rugby Sevens for the first time. The Tauranga Domain will host 300 rugby mad youngsters, who will be chasing to get their school name engraved on the Championship Cup for the first time.

While the AIMS GAMES are spread around the Western Bay, the hub is at Blake Park. Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Football are all being held within the confines of the wider Blake Park area.

To anyone with some spare time next week it would be well worth watching some of the stars of the future in action at the various venues.

Seeya at the (Steamers) Game