The triumphant return of the AIMS Games

This month saw the return of the Zespri AIMS Games after a two year hiatus due the Covid-19 pandemic. The intermediate-age sports tournament was as big as ever in 2022.

More than 10,000 athletes from 320 schools around the country took part in 23 sports – many of them held at Bay Venues facilities. Parents and teachers packed the grandstands to cheer on their rangatahi.

There was swimming and water polo at Baywave, badminton at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, table tennis at Memorial Hall, and basketball, futsal, indoor bowls, and hip hop at Trustpower Baypark. There were also two opening ceremony shows there, with thousands of excited students singing and dancing in their seats at Trustpower Arena.

The event ran from September 3-9 and it brought a youthful energy and atmosphere to the city that hasn’t been felt for a couple of long years.

“We were very proud to host the Zespri AIMS Games and would like to congratulate the students, teachers and volunteers who took part,” Bay Venues chief executive Chad Hooker said.

Tournament director Kelly Schischka said the feedback from the code coordinators had been “phenomenal”.

“They've had kids, parents and officials coming up to them all week, telling them how amazing the tournament has been and how much they've enjoyed it. As tournament director, that's music to my ears,” she said.

“The competitors have been awesome and I'm so stoked they got the chance to be here and I'm so proud of what our team has been able to deliver, still in the midst of a global pandemic. It bodes really well for the future.”

Bay Venues staff played a huge role throughout the week, working hard day and night to make sure all the facilities were set up correctly for the different sports. They kept the venues clean and tidy, ensured everything was running smoothly, and helped the athletes and supporters have a great time.

One example of this staff contribution was James Patea, a member of the Trustpower Baypark operations team, who not only worked at the busy venue all week, but in his spare time was also refereeing games in the AIMS basketball competition.

“You get a big kick out of helping out and seeing it come to fruition, seeing everyone else’s hard work, and then what the participants get out of it as well, so it’s pretty cool,” he said.

The massive community effort that makes the Zespri AIMS Games possible was acknowledged by many of those who travelled to Tauranga from cities and regions all over New Zealand.

Cushla McLaren was standing in the grandstand at Baywave during the swimming cheering on her 12-year-old daughter Charlotte from Iona College in Hawke’s Bay.

“This is amazing,” she said, in between cheers.

“This is just a celebration of these young men and women who are our future stars. Thank you Zespri AIMS Games.”

Charlotte had just won her heat and recorded a seven-second personal best. She arrived beaming.

“It’s really fun and I love meeting new people from all over New Zealand. I’m really happy to be here,” she said.

After such a triumphant return, the anticipation has already begun for next year’s event – the 18th Zespri AIMS Games.