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The Face Behind the Sound
Posted on: Thursday, June 17, 2010
by Steven Knott
Bear Mountain stadium has one of, if not the, most unique atmospheres found anywhere across the PDL, north or south of the border, and one of the big reasons for this is bagpiper Nathan Roberts.
If you have ever been to Bear Mountain Stadium since the Highlanders’ inception two years ago, you could not have helped but hear the sound of Nathan Roberts and his bagpipe creating a superb atmosphere for fan and player alike.
Roberts, 38, hails from the Greater Victoria area and it was only by chance that the bagpipes ever wound up at Bear Mountain Stadium.
“I went to the season opener last season, after performing my bagpipe music at a nice outdoor wedding,” Roberts said. “My friend and I and the rest of the huge crowd were having such a blast at the game and he suggested I go and grab my pipes out of my car and play a few tunes in the stands. I have done that kind of stuff at local sporting events like Victoria United (soccer) games and even BC Lions games. As soon as I started playing that day the crowd reacted in a way I have never experienced before. Many people came up to me and said I better come back for the next game and soon the team staffers contacted me and asked if I'd like to do that at all the games.”
Roberts’ music captivates and excites the crowd into frenzy, with stomping, clapping, and cheering accompanying the melodic playing to create an intimidating arena for the Highlanders’ opponents and is something Roberts takes great pride in.
“It's very satisfying to be able to take this great music I love and share it in a way that compliments the atmosphere the Highlanders have created,” he said. “Getting up in the stands to crank out a rousing pipe-tune while a couple of thousand happy fans are clapping, stomping, shouting and encouraging the team is a real big thrill. I like to think that when the crowd is uniting together in this way it gives the lads on the pitch that extra jolt of energy.”
Speaking about Roberts, Highlanders GM Drew Finerty has no doubt that the playing is imperative to creating such a great atmosphere and all round game day experience.
“From day one of our franchise existence,” Finerty said. “Nathan the Piper has helped the Highlanders establish our tremendous game day atmosphere and fan experience. Part of the Highlander games is our Braveheart section and the Scottish tone that fans enjoy and have come to expect. It also makes Bear Mountain Stadium a difficult place for opposing teams to visit and gives our crowd lots to cheer about.”
Roberts’ playing has become so popular over the past two seasons with supporters, that the songs “Mull of Kintyre” and “Flower of Scotland” have been adopted as Highlanders anthems and follow every goal the home team now scores, with Roberts’ very own styled “Victory March.”
Roberts also has a piping partner, as those who attend Bear Mountain regularly will know, in the form of Shelly Mutch-Thorsteinson who joins in with all the piping that is when she is not testing her physical capabilities.
“She is a dedicated tri-athlete and can’t make it to as many Highlanders games as I can,” Roberts said of Mutch-Thorsteinson. “But when she does we can be seen piping together during the Victory Marches and in the stands and judging by the number of 'Victory Marches' we've piped across the stadium frontage, I think the dedicated fan base is really helping the Highlanders build a reputation as a team that is difficult to play against at home.”
So next time you head to Bear Mountain Stadium to see all of your favorite Highlanders play, be sure to cheer them on and join in with the sounds of one of the most unique soccer atmospheres that you can experience anywhere in North America.
For information about having pipers, dancers and more at your special celebration or event, please visit Nathan at www.VictoriaBagpiper.com.
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PDL 2010 Standings
| Western Conference - Northwest Division | |||||||
| Team | GP | W | L | T | Pts | ||
| Portland Timbers U23 | 16 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
||
| Kitsap Pumas | 16 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
38 |
||
| Tacoma Tide | 16 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
30 |
||
| Victoria Highlanders | 16 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
24 |
||
| Washington Crossfire | 16 |
6 |
8 |
2 |
20 |
||
| Vancouver Whitecaps Res | 16 |
4 |
9 |
3 |
15 |
||
| Abbotsford Mariners | 16 |
4 |
11 |
1 |
13 |
||
| Yakima Reds | 16 |
4 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
||
| Spokane Spiders | 16 |
2 |
12 |
2 |
8 |
||
Featured Highlander
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14 |
Craig | |
| ROBERTSON | |||
| Position: Defence | |||
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