AIMS Games: 8000 youngsters invade city for Games

Tauranga Intermediate student Leka Smith took on Palmerston North Intermediate at last year's AIMS games. Photo / File

Next week's AIMS Games will be the biggest yet with more than 8000 young athletes registered from schools throughout the country.

With late entries providing a final burst, 8007 intermediate-aged competitors from 261 schools across New Zealand will be in Tauranga from Sunday battling it out in 19 different sports.

The numbers include 1164 netballers, 640 rugby players, 644 cross country runners and 768 basketballers. Yachting's debut has also attracted strong interest, with 64 sailors lining up for the Anchor-sponsored on-water event.

The tournament has grown every year since it started in 2004 and tournament director Vicki Semple said it had started to create its own legacy.

"When we first started out with a few hundred competitors, we never would've dreamed the event would grow so much," she said.

"The best part is that it gives every competitor the chance to compete in an event that's bigger than the Commonwealth Games and nearly as large as the Olympics, soaking up all the great things about sport like camaraderie, adventure and competition."

The geographical spread of schools competing is vast - 19 from Northland and 18 from the South Island. Oturu School cross country runner Jayde Florian, based near Kaitaia, is the northernmost competitor, while Tahuna Normal Intermediate swimmers Charlotte Underwood-Nicol and Madison Wills are from Dunedin.

A number of schools - such as Taranaki's Auroa School, Taihape's Rangiwaea School and Breens Intermediate in Christchurch - are represented by just one athlete, while at the other end of the scale, Tauranga Intermediate has 24 teams competing in 19 sports, Mount Maunganui Intermediate 23 and Bucklands Beach Intermediate in Auckland 17.

It is not just the athletes who benefit from the week-long event.

An economic benefit study last year found the tournament generated 37,500 visitor nights and contributed $1.96 million to Western Bay of Plenty's economy, while it was also recognised for event excellence at the annual Sport New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in Auckland recently.

"This event is now a significant contributor to the economic prosperity of our city and that's reflected in the support Tauranga City Council gives it each year," Pip Loader, council manager for strategic events, said.

"It's shaken up Tauranga's reputation as a summer-only city and shows the region can host major events all year round."