Big hits reflect huge interest

National and overseas interest in the AIMS Games has reached record levels.

The tournament was the lead story on television's Seven Sharp show on Tuesday and tournament director Vicky Semple says the number of hits on the AIMS Games website has exceeded last year's highs.

"So far we have had 1.9million hits on our website during September which is a huge increase," Semple said.

"It is only going to get bigger throughout the week as people need to check their pool play, crossovers and results and things like that."

Semple has been involved in every AIMS Games since their inception in 2004, when 750 competitors from 17 schools competed in four sports. Now the numbers are up to 6500 competitors from 193 schools taking part in 16 sports.

She says her organising committee's goal is to raise the bar every year.

"You always think of new initiatives to make things better because you always want to improve.

"There are always little things you can tweak obviously.

"I am definitely pleased about the website. It is really a one-stop shop for information. It is amazing to have more of an international flavour. The Cook Islands and the [seven] Australian schools have really added something to this tournament. The New Zealand competitors have embraced them and been so amazing.

"I spoke to some Cook Island boys yesterday at the rugby and they said they had been stopped in the supermarket so they're loving it and feeling like celebrities. It is an experience they will never forget.

"But the standout every year at the AIMS Games is the sportsmanship, the buzz, the friendship. It just has an amazing feel ... I love the way the whole community buys into it."

Semple says they are lucky to have such magnificent facilities to host the event, particularly at Mount Maunganui's Blake Park.

"It is the hub of activity and the heart of the tournament. There are so many codes at the Mount that between games everyone comes down and wander between codes. They might have a loss but bounce back and go watch another sport.

"The Tauranga City Council have been so outstanding to us. The fields are just pristine. It is just a picture at Blake Park so we are so grateful for their incredible support.

"We had contingency plans in place if there was bad weather. I never checked the weather forecast once as I knew we had covered all bases. That is the one thing you can't plan so there is no point in stressing over it."

The Games finish today with football, hockey, basketball, netball, tennis and water polo finals.

See www.nzaimsgames.co.nz for full details