Arena welcomes AIMS

Competitors, family and friends filled the new $42 million TECT Arena at Baypark Sunday night, to officially open the NZCT AIMS games.

More than 4,600 middle school students from 121 New Zealand schools are participating in the annual, week-long NZCT AIMS National Sporting Championships in Tauranga this week; making it the largest AIMS Games tournament staged since its beginnings eight years ago. 

Organiser Vicki Semple says the ceremony was designed to not only mark the official opening, but inspire the young competitors.

Watch SunLive’s video diary interview with Vicki Semple. During the NZCT AIMS, SunLive will show a daily diary entry to keep you up to date with the event progress.SunLive will also have daily galleries and results from the events.

The competitors inspiration is from speaker World Champion and 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Rob Waddell. Olympic Cycling Gold Medallist Sarah Ulmer is set to join in the festivities later in the week.

Rob spoke of his experiences as a sporting competitor at school age and “what an exciting time it is for these young athletes, as it could be the start of some potential sporting careers”.

“My advice is to have fun, enjoy it and to do what you are passionate about. The second thing is there is no magic wand, and anything that is worth doing takes hard work.”

NZCT CEO Mike Knell says, “we know sport helps grow healthy communities and getting young people into sport is one of the best things we can do. We wish the organisers, competitors, managers, coaches and their supporters all the very best.”

Tauranga Intermediate’s Kapa Haka group entertained the crowd.



Mount Maunganui College’s RPM start the entertainment at the opening.

Tauranga Intermediate’s Boys Choir impressed the crowd.



Olympic gold medalist Rob Waddell gave an inspirational speech at the opening.

Tauranga Intermediate’s Material Girls.









Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby officially opened the games tonight.