AIMS Games: Cook Islands shells out for trip

Papamoa's GD Tessa Haeta, left, disputes possession with Here Charlie from Apii Avarua. Photo / John Borren

The full essence of what the AIMS Games is all about was on show yesterday at a sun drenched Blake Park at Mount Maunganui. The outstanding facilities at the park played host to football, tennis, squash, netball, hockey and badminton creating the biggest parking and traffic issues since last year's AIMS Games.

The colourful scene was enhanced by the presence of Apii Avarua school from the Cook Islands. Team management were resplendent in brightly coloured ei katu (floral head garlands) and lived every point in their team's win over Papamoa College. From five games played they have won two, lost two and drawn one, and delighted their opponents by giving each player a shell necklace before the game.

The team have proved to be more than competitive on the court, and enjoying the cultural experience from staying at Tutereinga Marae in Te Puna.

Team manager Minna Willie says they have been pleased with how well they have competed.

"We have found our standard is on par with New Zealand at this age group so it has been very interesting to see that our skills and techniques are at the same level and can be better.

"We will hopefully come back next year. We will have to look how we have gone in all five codes we had teams in which were netball, soccer for boys and girls, rugby sevens and tennis."

Watching intently from the sideline was top ranked netballer Jodi Tod-Elliot who has just signed a contract to join Northern Mystics from Magic. Tod-Elliot is selecting the best players to be named in the tournament teams.

"There are some amazing players here and some of the skill levels are really high," she said. "The one thing I have been impressed about is the intensity that they give.

"We have to choose 12 players from each of the three grades and then name a shooter, a defender and midcourter of each grade by Friday."