Interest in New Zealand’s biggest school sporting tournament has surged again, with the Zespri AIMS Games attracting 14,506 entries to September’s tournament in Tauranga.
This year’s event will feature its largest-ever fields in mountain biking, golf, rock climbing, surfing, tennis, badminton and cross country, while Adapted Sports entries across cross country, table tennis and indoor bowls have nearly tripled with 92 entries received. The individual entries mean that the total number of schools has jumped from 431 last year to 467 this year, including a record 11 international schools from Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji.
“While we have 36 more schools than last year, many are sending fewer teams or athletes, which definitely feels like the nature of the times. We’re really feeling for all those families and communities that are struggling out there but we’re also overjoyed they’ve continued to support us, and give our athletes the chance to have one of the most incredible weeks of their lives,” said Tournament director, Kelly Schischka.
Mountain biking is the undoubted success story of this year’s tournament, which is set to be held from September 5-11 across a range of Tauranga Moana venues. The 654 riders who will be tackling the Summerhill tracks in the Pāpāmoa Hills are up from 487 riders last year, and include 334 Year 8 boys. It puts the code into the same league as cross country, which has 778 athletes across boys, girls and para-athlete divisions, and ahead of the 531 swimmers. A record 193 rock climbers will also be competing, as well as 180 golfers, 252 tennis players, 87 surfers and 371 badminton players.
Tauranga City Council Mayor, Mahé Drysdale said he was thrilled that a record number of competitors will get to enjoy the unique Zespri AIMS Games experience.
“The number of athletes this year is fantastic,” he says.
“It’s great to see more schools than ever taking part, along with the continued growth in international schools, adapted sports and individual events. It shows just how inclusive and dynamic this event has become. I know from my own sporting journey, that sport is about so much more than competition. It can ignite something special, a spark that stays with you, drives you forward, and gives you the confidence to dream big.
“I hope every athlete embraces the week and creates memories they’ll carry with them long after the tournament is over – whether those memories travel back with them from Tauranga or stay with our locals right here at home.”
Of the team sports, Rip Rugby has jumped dramatically, from 77 teams last year to 100 this year. It means organisers have had to schedule more night matches at Bay Oval and Blake Park to fit the draw in. It also makes rugby one of the biggest codes with 159 teams across Rip Rugby and rugby sevens, just ahead of the 156 netball teams.
Football’s numbers continue to swell on the back of Futsal, with 193 teams registered, just one less in total than last year but with the indoor version topping out at 84 teams this year.
