Enjoy it, says Black Sticks star

Gemma Flynn and yachtsman Blair Tuke at the AIMS Games opening ceremony. Photo / George Novak

Gemma Flynn likes nothing better than to pass on her wisdom to the next generation.

The Black Sticks forward was busy at the NZCT AIMS Games earlier in the week, attending a breakfast, giving advice to competitors, signing autographs and posing for photos.

After featuring as one of the key speakers at Sunday's opening ceremony, the Tauranga native explained the games were a great platform for the student athletes to get a taste of what it's like to compete in a week-long tournament.

"I think they like that they'll get a week out of school but they can be really proud of representing their school and themselves and their families as well," she said. "It's a great platform to be together and learn those team dynamics, as well."

Flynn said the best part of the tournament for her was all the people coming together to play and compete.

"Seeing everyone together excited - it kind of has that Commonwealth Games or Olympic feeling in terms of a tournament," she said. "All the different sports mean you get to meet new people, it's really great for the town and there's no better place to have it than Tauranga." The presence of a New Zealand hockey representative has had a positive impact on the athletes at the Tauranga Hockey Centre too.

Papamoa College player Jody McCaul said Flynn's presence had inspired her to play harder.

"It's really cool to see a Black Stick down here watching you and it gives me a little bit more confidence," McCaul said.

An advocate of healthy living, Flynn is part of the 100 Percent Project which teaches schools and businesses about being healthy and happy from the inside out, which is a philosophy that applies to the AIMS Games athletes.

She said the main thing for the students was to make the most of the week and have fun while doing it.

"They'll look back on this one day as one of the best weeks of their life."