Zespri AIMS Games begin

The Zespri AIMS Games began in Tauranga on Saturday with more than 14,000 young people taking part.

Students aged 11 to 13 from 431 schools across New Zealand and the South Pacific are competing in Australasia’s largest junior sporting event across 27 different sports. Organisers say the event brings a special buzz to the city each year.

The tournament started 22 years ago with just four local schools but has grown into a major international competition. Cambridge Middle School principal Daryl Gibbs said it was an event students often remembered for life. His school sent 109 athletes this year.

For many small-town players, AIMS Games is their first chance to face teams from faraway regions. “It’s exciting to go from playing the same schools all year to competing against someone from the South Island or Northland,” Gibbs explained.

While the focus is on participation, the competition can still be tough. Some sports require grading, with newcomers competing alongside some of the country’s best young athletes. Mila, a student who won cross-country and mountain biking last year, said she was aiming for a top-three finish this time. “People have got a lot more competitive over the last year,” she said.

Other students are simply excited for their first experience.  Tournament director Kelly Schischka described the event as “a week-long sleepover with your friends,” full of training, fun, and memories.

Behind the scenes, teachers and coordinators work hard to make the event happen.