Local schools relish Games challenge

West Pue from Kaitao Middle School competing in the indoor bowls competition. Photo / John Borren

Rotorua's intermediate-aged pupils are getting into the competitive spirit and putting months of training to the test at the 12th NZCT AIMS Games tournament.

The annual event held in Tauranga was officially opened last Sunday and is hosting 19 sports over six days of competition.

Pupils from Rotorua and Mokoia Intermediate Schools, Kaitao Middle School, Te Kura O Koutu and John Paul College have been competing.

Kaitao Middle School principal Rory O'Rourke said students always loved getting involved in the tournament.

"Our basketball team is staying over in Tauranga and we are getting regular updates from the coach. Our indoor bowls team went over there yesterday morning.

"There is a high standard of performance from all the competing schools but in past years our basketball team has done well to place in the top four and we hope to maintain that level of achievement, if not do a little better this year."

Rotorua Intermediate School deputy principal Hinei Taute-Collier was in Tauranga with competing pupils yesterday.

She said the tournament had been keeping pupils on their toes.

"Emotions have been running high as many of the pupils are quite competitive but we are trying to keep them level-headed and just focusing on the game ahead. Even though it is fairly intense for these guys, they are definitely enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie of their peers."

Ms Taute-Collier said there were about 50 pupils competing from the school.

"We do a lot of training leading up to the tournament because we don't want to come here just to participate, we want to pose some real competition for our opponents.

"We have teams for netball, soccer and basketball as well as a number of pupils competing in individual events such as the cross country, tennis and swimming - all have the potential to really leave a mark at this year's tournament."