A record number of students are set to take part in this year's NZCT AIMS Games in Tauranga.
More than 4300 intermediate school students will compete in the annual week-long sporting champs, making it the largest event since its inception eight years ago.
Last year's tournament was contested by 3870 competitors from 107 schools, as well as 880 coaches, managers and umpires, and hundreds of spectators.
This year, about 500 more students are attending the games, bringing the total number to 4303.
Tournament director Vicki Semple had anticipated the number of competitors for 2011 would be similar to previous years and and increase of over 550 was "just staggering".
"Entries broke the 100 school mark in 2010 with 107 schools attending, at early count we have 108 schools this year, tremendously exciting for the tournament and the Bay of Plenty region".
A strong Auckland-based contingent will join schools from Kaitaia to Christchurch to fight it out with locals from 28 Bay of Plenty school vying for medals across 15 sports.
The codes include basketball, football, hockey, netball, rugby sevens and waterpolo, as well as individual events such as badminton, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, squash, swimming and more.
Indoor bowls will be played for the first time this year, after high entry numbers. Joining the athletes will be more than 953 coaches, managers and officials.
A representative from Sport Bay of Plenty said they were fielding calls every day from travelling schools needing help to find accommodation.
"I have one school utilising the seven new cabins at Mount Maunganui's Beachside Campground while another will use the 11 onsite caravans."
The sporting championships give Year 7 and 8 students the opportunity to compete against the best of their age.
Ms Semple said the opportunity for students to compete at an elite level, be active and celebrate fair play had seen the NZCT AIMS GAMES grow to be one of the largest sporting events in New Zealand. Olympic gold medallist rower Rob Waddell will open the NZCT AIMS Games at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre on Sunday, August 28.
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