Tuke opens student games

Jayde Florian

Kerikeri's Olympics-bound sailor Blair Tuke will help open the New Zealand Community Trust AIMS Games in Tauranga tomorrow night, a sporting tournament set to feature more than 8000 intermediate-age competitors from around the country.

Fresh from winning a gold medal with Peter Burling in the recent men's 49er event at the pre-Olympic test event in Rio, as well as a Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series win with Emirates Team New Zealand in Gothenburg, Tuke's appearance at the AIMS Games opening ceremony will be one of his first since returning to New Zealand last Thursday.

"[I'm] not sure if it's a full speech or just saying good luck to everyone," Tuke said.

"I'm doing it with Gemma Flynn. It will be good to see some of the Northland teams there."

The geographical spread of schools competing is impressive - 19 Northland schools have entered and 18 schools from the South Island will be represented.

Oturu School cross-country runner Jayde Florian, based just out of Kaitaia, is the northernmost competitor, while Tahuna Normal Intermediate swimmers Charlotte Underwood-Nicol and Madison Wills are making the trek up from Dunedin.

Northland will be represented by Ahipara School, Kaitaia Abundant Life School, Kaitaia Intermediate, Maungatapere School, Otamatea High School, Parua Bay School, Pompallier Catholic College, Purua School, Ruawai College, Tangiteroria School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, Tikipunga High School, Whangarei Intermediate, Whangaroa College, Huanui College, Kamo Intermediate, Kerikeri High School, Manaia View School and Oturu School.

After a flurry of late entries, 8007 intermediate-aged competitors from 261 schools will be taking part across 19 sporting codes.

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 competition.