AIMS Games breaks barrier

James Power, from Omokoroa No1 School, dives into the pool during last year's AIMS Games swim programme at Baywave. Photo / File

Accommodation in the Western Bay is completely booked out ahead of Australasia's biggest sports tournament for intermediate age children which kicks off on Sunday.

The AIMS Games has broken through the 8000-athlete barrier for the first time and and excitement was building in Tauranga.

Intermediate-aged competitors from 261 schools across New Zealand accompanied by supporters will be in Tauranga this weekend ahead of a week-long tournament to compete in 19 different sports.

New Zealand sailor Blair Tuke and Black Sticks member Gemma Flynn will be guest speakers at the opening ceremony on Sunday.

Kiwi singer and songwriter Jamie McDell, X-Factor winner Beau Monga and runner-ups Elijah and Leilani will perform at the ceremony as well as other local acts including Icefire.

Tournament director Vicki Semple said the opening ceremony put the "wow factor" into the week long event.

"The opening ceremony just kicks starts the week and gets everyone buzzing, all the competitorsare there in their school gears and it's just got a great feel about it.

"It's getting to the exciting part now, it's only a couple of sleeps away so we're in countdown now."

Mrs Semple said rain or shine the much anticipated event would continue to stir the city.

"We have a significant amount of marquees up around the city so if the weather is not very nice then we've got a contingency plan in place," she said. "We have such a good committee structure that we're certain we have all our systems in place."

Accommodation for the event had been fully booked out months prior to the games' start.

Bay of Plenty Motels Association president Bruce Rutherford said accommodation bookings for this year's event began last year.

"From what I know, Taurangais completely full - well and truly," Mr Rutherford said. "It's quite normal for AIMS Games really, the numbers come when people come out to Katikati and stay all over the place," he said.

An economic benefit study last year found the tournament contributed $1.96 million to the Western Bay's economy.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith said the tournament benefited a wide range of businesses in the Bay and the people who visited tended to come back for the warmer season.

"For tourism AIMS Games is a perfect forward scouting mission for families to return as vacationers.

"We get fantastic feedback from attendees that love coming to the Western Bay and look forward to visiting again to experience a summer season," Mr Arrowsmith said.

The details
•The NZCT AIMS Games is the single biggest multi-sport event for 11- 12- and 13-year-olds in Australasia
•Year 7 and 8 students have the opportunity to compete as an individual or in a team against the best of their age in different sports
•The tournament has grown every single year since it started in 2004