Christmas came early for thousands of intermediate-aged athletes with the announcement that Zespri are the new naming rights partner of the AIMS Games.

The games are set to return to Tauranga this year after a two-year absence.

It's a huge boost for the flagship sporting tournament, held in Tauranga every September, after two years of Covid-related cancellations.

The 2022 Zespri AIMS Games will see 11,000 intermediate students from all over New Zealand compete in 23 different codes. Tournament director Vicki Semple says Zespri's partnership was a massive, timely boost.

'After two years of heartbreak, this is the best piece of news we could have possibly received and Zespri's support is going to make a tangible difference to the next generation of New Zealanders,” says Vicki.

'With Covid-19 we've seen just how critical a sporting celebration like the Zespri AIMS Games is, and how much our schools and communities treasure it.

'While we're promoting the benefits of keeping active, camaraderie, fair play and enjoying success, it's heart-warming to marry that with a company like Zespri that exports health, vitality and goodness to the world.”

Zespri's director of external relations, Michael Fox, says Zespri is proud to partner with the AIMS Games Trust because of the hugely positive impact the tournament has on our young people.

'Our purpose of helping communities and the environment thrive and our community investment partnerships are a key part of this,” says Michael.

'We're committed to growing happy and healthy communities, and through the Zespri AIMS Games we can encourage even more Kiwi kids to take part, keep active and learn healthy habits through sport.

'Given the tournament is in the heartland of kiwifruit, this is also a great chance for us to support our local community, teach children the importance of eating well, and to showcase the quality kiwifruit grown in this region.”

The 2022 Zespri AIMS Games will run from September 3-9 at a range of venues across the Western Bay of Plenty.