Kids love AIMS because of the sports, but they also love it because they can spend time with friends, make new connections, represent their school, have new experiences and create memories.
Kristen, who is the coach of Kaitao School, said that her favourite thing was “spending time with her netball girls”, but i’m pretty sure that the cold plunge she got them to do at Mount Beach on a monday night was a close second!
Leah is from a small school in Whangarei called Poroti with only 43 kids, and she was brave enough to come and play the sport she loved most, squash. She wanted to come to AIMS because she saw her sister competing a few years back and thought it looked fun.
Several competitors earned their place here by fundraising, they had bake sales, sold chocolates, did a Shootathlon, and even worked at sausage sizzle stands, all for the privilege of being part of AIMS Games.
Often the cost of coming to AIMS can prevent schools from participating. Luckily some have had a helping hand, like Ilminster intermediate in Gisborne. Because of the kindness in Tauranga intermediates heart, Ilminster are able to stay for free at a Marae with them, all 53 athletes!
Teams not only come to play, they come to cheer their friends on from the sidelines, make new experiences, and do something they have never done before and that is why AIMS Games is so great.
