After a two-year hiatus, thousands of 11 to 13-year-olds from around the country are flowing back into Tauranga City for the 2022 Zespri AIMS Games, which officially begin tomorrow, September 3.
More than 25,000 athletes, officials and supporters from 350 schools – set to play 23 sport codes –are expected to come to the city for the week-long tournament from September 3-9.
The 2020 games were cancelled due to Covid-19 and event restrictions meant the 2021 tournament was postponed until this year.
No-one will be happier to hear the whistles blow at a range of AIMS Games venues around the city than Zespri AIMS Games tournament director Kelly Schischka. 'We hope we can provide a golden ray of sunshine for what has otherwise been a pretty dreary winter for a lot of people.”
Kelly says the last few weeks building up to the tournament have been very busy, with so many enquiries and last-minute team changes – 'but we totally get it”.
'Schools, parents and entire communities have been under so much pressure, not only with Covid-19 but with a host of other illnesses this year and it's actually a real privilege for us to be actually staging the tournament this year.”
Indoor cricket
Organisers are excited to introduce indoor cricket to the Zespri AIMS Games whanau this year. 'We can't wait for the 120 cricketers to join in on the experience of sharing memories with 10,000 other like-minded peers,” says Kelly.
'We've also introduced 7-aside hockey and Fast-5 netball, while our canoe sprinters get to race right under the noses of the public this year, in Pilot Bay.”
Kelly says sports are constantly redefining what they offer to this particular age-group of athlete 'and we're always a little bit ahead of the curve when it comes to introducing sports and different formats”.
'Above all, after two years without the tournament, we're just so delighted to welcome the Zespri AIMS Games back to Tauranga.
'I sense the city has really missed it, especially with the buzz and energy it brings. The incredible team that makes this event happen has worked so hard to get it over the line this year and I'm so proud of what they've managed to achieve.”
At Mount Maunganui Intermediate, associate principal Renee Thurston says 299 students of the 708-strong roll will participate in AIMS Games in 23 sport codes plus being part of the Green Team – a new addition to celebrate the tournament running on Conservation Week, September 5-11.
'At MMI our focus for AIMS is on performance goals. We want to do the best that we can do in our chosen code and come away a better player, more skilled and having enjoyed being part of such a big tournament.
Doing our best
'Wins are great, and we love to win – but for us, AIMS Games are about doing our best, playing fair and supporting each other.”
Renee says AIMS Games has allowed MMI students lots of opportunities to be part of a team. 'We've been involved in tournaments and training in the lead-up to AIMS.
'Some students are competing in sports that they've trained for years in – others are trying some sports for the first time.
'Intermediate is a time where our students ‘become who they are' and in order to do that they need a wide variety of opportunities. That is what AIMS gives them.
'The opportunity to try new things, improve, be part of a team and form friendships which are wider than their everyday friend groups. Our students are very excited and looking forward to the challenge of AIMS Games week.”
For information and to check out all the AIMS Games has to offer, visit: https://www.nzaimsgames.co.nz